THUNDER BAY – Commuter Challenge is heating up in two Ontario cities. Yesterday, Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson challenged Thunder Bay’s Mayor Bill Mauro to a friendly competition between the two cities.
On Twitter, Mayor Paterson wrote, “#CommuterChallenge2019 #YGK had the highest participation rate for a Canadian mid-sized city for 5 years. Last year we were bested by @CityThunderBay. Looking forward to reclaiming our spot! Mayor Mauro, how do you feel about a friendly challenge? Is the Sleeping Giant up for it?”
Mayor Mauro accepted the friendly challenge and wrote, “Thanks @MayorPaterson, Mayor Mauro has accepted the challenge! We are confident that #TeamSleepingGiant will hold our spot for the 2nd year. Bring it on! #CommuterChallenge2019”
The two have since agreed that the city with the highest number of Commuter Challenge participants will be named the winner. The triumphant city will hand over a shirt that will be quintessential to that place, which the losing city’s mayor will wear on June 17, while raising the other city’s flag.
“Last year, we were overwhelmed by the number of people who participated in the Commuter Challenge,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “This year, we are set to be impressed again. More and more, our residents acknowledge the positive impact leaving their cars at home has on our health and environment.”
“This is a friendly competition,” said Kingston’s Mayor Paterson. At the end of the day, our real goal is to encourage more people to participate in the Commuter Challenge.”
Commuter Challenge is an annual event, held across Canada June 2-8. It invites residents to leave their cars at home and bike, walk, bus, roll, carpool or tele-commute to work.
To register, visit: commuterchallenge.ca
