Schools Holding Contest To Increase Public Transit Ridership

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Over the next two weeks, 100 Alameda County schools will participate in a countywide contest to have as many students as possible use public and shared transit to commute to school, according to the Alameda County Transportation Commission.

The Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools Program's 10th annual Golden Sneaker Contest encourages students to walk, bike, carpool and take transit to their schools from Feb. 24 to March 6 in an effort to reduce the region's carbon footprint.

Roughly 63,000 elementary, middle and high school students are expected to participate in this year's contest. At the two-week contest's conclusion, the classroom at each participating school with the most students using sustainable and shared transit methods to get to and from school will receive a Golden Sneaker trophy, made from sneakers donated by the Golden State Warriors.

"Last year, participating schools saw 51 percent of trips using shared and active travel modes," ACTC Chair and San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter said. "Over the past decade, this contest has been a great way to engage our young people and encourage parent participation and health
transportation habits while also reducing pollution."

The school with the largest percentage increase in students using low-emission transportation methods will win the contest's top prize: the Platinum Sneaker Award. The ACTC will also honor the winning school at its April 23 meeting.

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