Clean Commute Challenge Reaches Halfway Mark

Did you know that Salida is the first city in the US to create a clean commuting challenge with pay-per-mile rewards? And it’s not too late for you to join!

In April 2022, Salida partnered with TerraQuest and launched its Clean Commute Challenge to encourage residents to use alternative transportation options like walking, biking, ebiking, etc., rather than cars. The challenge incentivizes participants by paying them $0.50 per mile once the challenge goal of 22,050 miles has been reached.

Here’s how you can join now if you haven’t already:

1. Download the TerraQuest app (Apple or Android)
2. Create an account
3. Tap “Programs” at the bottom of the screen
4. Enter invitation code: salidaccc
5. Record walking, biking or eBiking that replaces car trips in and around Salida
6. Get paid $0.50 cents per mile when the 22,050-mile goal is reached

The challenge area is limited to Salida and the surrounding area – you can click here for a map to see the exact geographic area the challenge covers.

Participants are paid through either PayPal or Venmo once the goal is reached. The program rewards $.50/mile, so the entire pay-out will be $11,025.

We’re Over Halfway to Our Goal!

As of July 26, participants of the Salida Clean Commute Challenge have completed 13,475 miles of the 22,050-mile goal. That means challenge participants are now collectively over halfway to the final total!

Currently, 285 people have enrolled in the program and over 130 people have completed at least 20 miles. There is still plenty of time left to join the challenge and help reach the goal faster.

Why 22,050 Miles?

Salida chose the 22,050-mile goal because the Sustainability Committee’s algorithm assumes 1 mile of clean commuting avoids 1 pound of carbon emissions. Therefore: 2,205 miles = 2,205 pounds of avoided CO2, which is 1 metric ton and 1 carbon credit.

Multiply that by ten for the challenge goal: 22,050 miles of clean commuting avoids a total of 10 metric tons of carbon emissions. Put into numbers, it’s clear that over time, residents’ commuting choices leave a powerful and lasting impact on the environment.

“When I heard about the TerraQuest program, it was a simple choice and almost a validation in my lifestyle choice of choosing bike transit over cars,” says Matt Orr, the current leader of the challenge. “I think for me, and many others, more motivation came from the community aspect of tracking our miles together versus the monetary aspect. In fact, very little motivation came from the payment, but rather the excitement of showing the community that our daily movement is not dependent on cars.”

For more information on the challenge, email info@terraquest.com or use the contact form on TerraQuest’s website.