Commuter Challenge FAQs

• Q: What counts as a "trip" by bike?

• A: Each utilitarian trip that you take by bike during the month counts for the Commuter Bike Challenge. This includes riding to work, to the grocery store, or to a friends house. Basically anything other than a purely recreational or training ride that you would otherwise make by car.

Riding both ways to work (or elsewhere) by bicycle = 2 trips
Riding one way to work (or elsewhere) by bicycle = 1 trip
Riding part way to work (or elsewhere) and using transit to complete the trip = 1 trip

    We applaud walkers, in-line skaters and skateboarders, but trips by these modes do not count as "a trip by bike".

• Q: How do I get involved?
• A: It is easy! Anyone can be a team captain and start a team at their workplace. Or if a team has already been started, you can just log on and join the team.
  

• Q: What is the Team Captain's role in the Bike Commute Challenge ? 

• A: The Team Captain should register the business for the challenge and create the team name. Then send out an email to co-workers to direct other employees to the online registration and give them the team name you invented when you registered. If there are not enough employees in your office you can add Free Agents (see below) to fill out your team. Then provide encouragement to riders throughout the month. You can send emails to your riders offering help, or passing along information from Rideshare. Some team captains organize a lunch, or a morning rendez-vous at a coffee shop, group photo for the office newsletter, or some other event during the beginning of May where everyone can meet one another. Throughout the month you remind your team to log all their trips. By May 26^th all of your riders MUST have logged their trips for the entire month of May (estimating for the 28^th – 31^st) to allow us to get a final tally in time for Bike Fest on May 29^th. On Thursday, May 29^th come to Bike Fest and Awards Ceremony to check out scores and celebrate! Finally, on Wednesday, June 11^th come to the Rear Wheel Party at Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles to meet the other team captains, local elected officials, and the winning teams!

• Q: Can I join any team ? 

• A: Teams are generally set up by workplace, so you should refrain from joining others teams without being invited. However, you do have the option of signing up as a free agent (see below) and being picked up by another team in need of members.

• Q: Can the team captain delete a team member ? 

• A: If someone decides not to participate after registering, or accidentally joins the wrong team and needs to be removed please contact Rideshare. 

• Q: What qualifies as a team?

• A:  Teams are comprised of 4-10 individuals, on a first come, first serve basis. Once 10 people have registered for a team you will get a message that the team is closed.  If this is the case, or if your work does not have enough participants to form their own team, you can register yourself as a free agent.  By registering as a free agent a team that is still recruiting can pick you up - who knows, maybe you are a ringer?
  
  
• Q: How often should I log my trips/miles?

• A:  The Commuter Challenge website updates in real time, so log your rides daily! Also, logging in daily will ensure that you are eligible for special daily prizes which will be awarded for most miles and trips, and through random selection periodically throughout the month.
  

• Q: Anything I should know if I'm new at Commuting by bike?
  

• A: Several workshops on bike education will be offered during the month. They're open to new and experienced riders alike, and to all Challenge participants.
  

    Topics covered include:
    Riding in traffic, with and without bike lanes
    Laws that apply to bikes
    Lights, fenders and baskets
    Raingear and reflective gear
    How to deal with damp hair and wrinkled suits
    Route planning

    The workshops vary in length, scope, and formality, some requiring advanced registration.

    See the calendar of workshops and RSVP.

• Q: What if I live too far from work to bike the entire way?
  
  
• A: Ease your bike commute with public transit.  If a commute is too far to do by bike alone, a combined transit-bike trip can be a solution, and the bike-portion of the commute counts as a trip during the Bike Commute Challenge.  Multi-modal trips include going by bike & bus, bike & vanpool, or bike & carpool; for purpose of this competition bike & single occupant vehicle trips do not qualify for the "multi-modal" bonus. Contact your local transit service to find out if they accommodate bicycles on buses, or if you would like to use one of the free bicycle lockers located throughout the county contact us at Rideshare.
  
  
• Q: Is there anyplace that I can go to freshen-up after my ride to work?
  
  
• A: Many large employers have recognized that healthy employees are also productive employees, and have provided showers or gym memberships to encourage activeness. For those cycling into and around downtown San Luis Obispo, the Gold's Gym on Osos Street is opening their doors to Commuter Bike Challenge participants and allowing them to use their shower facilities during the entire month of May. Just mention that you are part of the Challenge!
  

• Q: What California Laws regarding cyclists should I know?
  
  
• A: New and experienced bikers alike often have questions about which laws apply to bicycles, and where bikes can and cannot go.

Bike lanes - cars must yield to bikes in the bike lane when crossing it, but always assume a car doesn't see you, for safety's sake; bikes in California may leave the bike lane if it contains debris or is obstructed or blocked by anything, or when preparing to make a left turn.

In traffic - in the absence of a bike lane, or when a bike lane is obstructed or before making a left turn, a bicyclist may take a full lane; if traveling below the speed of traffic, the bicyclist should travel as close to the right side of the lane as is safe, to facilitate easy passing; if riding at the speed of traffic, the bike may take the full lane.

Sidewalks - bikes are generally not allowed to ride on sidewalks in San Luis Obispo County; when bicyclists wish to use the sidewalk they must dismount their bicycles and become pedestrians.

Stopsigns and Stoplights - bicycles are "vehicles" just like cars in California, and therefore must obey all traffic devices just like cars; there is no "rolling stop" law in California for bicycles, as many people think.

Lights - It's the Law: Bike mantra: If it's night, use a light. California law require a white front light, a rear red reflector, a white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle, and white or yellow reflectors on each side both forward and rear of the center of the bicycle. That is1 light and 7 reflectors on all bikes riding after sunset!

• Q: What if I forget my password?
  
  
• A: If a user forgets their password, can contact Rideshare to have their password reset.

• Q: Still have questions?

• A: Contact your team captain or e-mail Rideshare.