Get Ready for Rideshare Week — CommuteSmart News

California Rideshare Week – a statewide event that promotes alternatives to driving alone – is Oct. 6-10. Now is the time to start making plans for ways to roll out the campaign at your work site. Here are five steps for getting started on your Rideshare Week plans.

Start by making the commitment to participate in the campaign. "There are so many tasks competing for an ETC’s time these days that it may be hard to think about squeezing in one more thing, but Rideshare Week is the one time of year where everybody pulls together to really make the idea of ridesharing fun," says Tara Pueschel with Inland Empire Commuter Services (IECS). "We try to make it as easy as possible for employers to participate...and rewarding for their employees, too."

Get posters, pledge cards, giveaways and more. Check out the Calendar section for information on employer kick-off events in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Your county rideshare agency offers your employees chance to win prizes when they pledge to share the ride during Rideshare Week. Many employers like to hold in-house prize drawings as well. Don't have the budget for prizes? You can often get them donated —for advice on how, see Tips & Ideas in this newsletter.

If you're planning a contest, party or other employee outreach, why not tie it in to the campaign theme in the county where your work site is located? If you're in Los Angeles County, the theme for Rideshare Week 2008 is "opposites"—showcasing the positive (ridesharing) vs. the negative (traffic). In Riverside and San Bernardino counties, it's "The Amazing Rideshare Challenge" based on the popular TV show The Amazing Race. Orange and Ventura counties will also have specific themes —we'll feature them in September CommuteSmart News, or contact your representative for more information.

Determine your budget, establish goals, and decide how you'll celebrate Rideshare Week at your work site. Create a checklist that includes everything from hanging posters and putting an article in your employee newsletter to holding a party, contest or rideshare fair.



California Rideshare Week – a statewide event that promotes alternatives to driving alone – is Oct. 6-10. Now is the time to start making plans for ways to roll out the campaign at your work site. Here are five steps for getting started on your Rideshare Week plans. 1. Mark it on your calendar. Start by making the commitment to participate in the campaign. "There are so many tasks competing for an ETC’s time these days that it may be hard to think about squeezing in one more thing, but Rideshare Week is the one time of year where everybody pulls together to really make the idea of ridesharing fun," says Tara Pueschel with Inland Empire Commuter Services (IECS). "We try to make it as easy as possible for employers to participate...and rewarding for their employees, too." 2. Attend a kick-off event. Get posters, pledge cards, giveaways and more. Check out the Calendar section for information on employer kick-off events in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 3. Secure prizes, if possible. Your county rideshare agency offers your employees chance to win prizes when they pledge to share the ride during Rideshare Week. Many employers like to hold in-house prize drawings as well. Don't have the budget for prizes? You can often get them donated —for advice on how, see Tips & Ideas in this newsletter. 4. Go with a theme. If you're planning a contest, party or other employee outreach, why not tie it in to the campaign theme in the county where your work site is located? If you're in Los Angeles County, the theme for Rideshare Week 2008 is "opposites"—showcasing the positive (ridesharing) vs. the negative (traffic). In Riverside and San Bernardino counties, it's "The Amazing Rideshare Challenge" based on the popular TV show The Amazing Race. Orange and Ventura counties will also have specific themes —we'll feature them in September CommuteSmart News, or contact your representative for more information. 5. Make a plan. Determine your budget, establish goals, and decide how you'll celebrate Rideshare Week at your work site. Create a checklist that includes everything from hanging posters and putting an article in your employee newsletter to holding a party, contest or rideshare fair. Look for more information in next month's CommuteSmart News.	How to Get Campaign Materials for Your Work Site Los Angeles County: Pick up a Rideshare Week kit that includes t-shirts, tote bags, balloons, posters, flyers and a photocopiable pledge card at an Aug. 19 kickoff. Can’t make the kickoff? Request a kit by emailing blanchardd@metro.net (after Aug. 20 and while supplies last) or download print materials at metro.net Orange County: Pick up materials at a kick-off event to be held in September – Orange County Transportation Authority will email specific date/location information to employers. After the kickoff, campaign materials will be available for download at octa.net/rideshare Riverside/San Bernardino counties: IECS has sent participation forms to Inland Empire employers, so if you’ve returned yours, you’ll receive a customized Rideshare Week kit in the mail. Plus get tips, ideas and extra giveaways at a kickoff on Aug. 19. For more information, call 1.866.IECS4HELP. Ventura County: Ventura County Transportation Commission will send Rideshare Week packets to employers via email and US mail in early September. Materials will also be available for download at goventura.org