Welcome to Crosstown Traffic, the official weekly e-news of the Group Health Commute Challenge.

The call to action is simple this year: Let's ride. Throughout the month, we'll be sharing inspiring stories, offering helpful tips and fostering a little healthy competition to amp up the excitement for you, your workplace and your community.

We'll also be pointing you toward some opportunities to inspire change, so that more of our friends will feel safe enough on our streets to answer "YES!" to the call to ride.

Thanks for riding with us, during the month of May and beyond. Now grab your friends, your family, your coworkers -- and your bike -- and get ready to ride!

Stephanie Frans
Manager of Commute Programs

Let's get started
The essentials

What does it take to get started as a bicycle commuter? We'll let you in on a secret: nothing but a bike, a helmet and a lock. It's that simple! If you're feeling ill-equipped to take on your city's streets by bike, we're here to remind you that it's no wilderness out there.

Let's power the bike movement
Cascade's Bike to Work Breakfast
Friday, May 4

Cascade's Bike to Work Breakfast is a great way to kick off Bike Month and the Group Health Commute Challenge. The event is nearing a sell-out for the first time ever. Don't miss your chance to join Congressman Earl Blumenauer and a room full of community leaders committed to making the Puget Sound region even better for bicycling.

Let's spread the love
Calling all Captains!

Commuting by bike can be daunting. Help the newbies in your office get off on the ride foot (or wheel) by forming a team of your own team this year. It's an opportunity offer support -- in the form of route-planning advice, wet-weather riding tips and (perhaps) donut bribery -- that'll help your coworkers make the leap. Take it from us: Team Captains change lives.

Let's ride... with kids
Bike to School

Bike to School Month is gaining momentum -- and students at all grade levels are invited to join in the fun. Remind those middle- and high-school students in your life that they can sign up online for the Bike to School Challenge. They'll be able to track trips, challenge friends and compete with other schools. Plus, with every trip logged, they'll increase their chances of winning great prizes.

Contest stats:

What's coming up

Energizer stations
+ Olympic Sculpture Park, April 19
+ Sam Smith Park April 20
+ Issaquah Farmer's Market April 21
+ Redmond REI April 22

Captain's pick-ups
+ Downtown Seattle, April 24
+ Cascade's Sand Point Office, starting April 25
+ Bellevue, April 26
+ Seattle Flagship REI, April 27
+ Everett, May 1, 2 & 3
+ Kent, May 1
+ Redmond, May 2
+ Downtown Seattle, May 7

FREE bike commuting classes
+ Bellevue, April 26
+ Kent, May 3
+ Seattle, May 8

Bike to Work Breakfast, May 4

Captain's Bash, May 9

Full Bike Month calendar

Thanks to our sponsors:

Ortlieb USA is a proud sponsor of Bike Month 2012. For year-round commuting, Ortlieb's waterproof bags are a great choice for keeping spare clothes and electronics safe from the rain. Keep an eye out for chances to win one at events and contests throughout the month!

Let's ride!

Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22. Get a jump on the competition by riding over to the Fremont Earth Day Festival. You'll get a discount on admission for showing up on a bike -- and the raffle and silent auction benefits Cascade programs like the Group Health Commute Challenge that get more people riding.

This email was sent to you by the 2012 Group Health Commute Challenge. The challenge is a program of the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, which is associated with the Cascade Bicycle Club. Unsubscribe here.

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