News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         May 22, 2007

Fifth Annual Bike/Walk to Work Challenge

Today marks the start of the fifth annual Bike/Walk to Work Challenge. This six-week challenge encourages employees to walk or bike to work over a six-week period as a way to add physical activity to their workday. Almost 30 workplaces have already signed up for the challenge. Register anytime during the challenge.

Biking or walking to work adds only a short amount of time to your daily commute and is a good way to incorporate physical activity into your routine and at the same time contribute to a cleaner environment. If you live too far to bike or walk to work, drive your car to the mall, a parking lot or leave it at a co-worker’s house and then walk the remainder of the way. If you do not have showers at work, keep a container of wet-wipes in your office for a quick trip to the bathroom before starting work.

To participate in the Bike/Walk to Work Challenge register your workplace through the Health Unit. Each workplace employee who bikes or walks to work will complete a ballot for every day of participation. Ballots returned to Jolley’s Alternative Wheels on a weekly basis are eligible for weekly prizes; all ballots received at the end of the challenge qualify for a chance to win one of four grand prizes including:

• 1^st Prize:  Brand new commuter bike from Jolley’s Alternative Wheels 
• 2^nd Prize:  $125 gift certificate for running shoes and a pedometer
• 3^rd Prize:  one hour private pool party package at Harrison Park
• 4^th Prize:  Owen Sound Recreation Program $75.00 gift certificate

For further information call the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Photo: Owen Sound mayor Ruth Lovell (left) and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn launch the fifth annual Bike/Walk to Work Challenge.

For more information:

Jennifer Croft

Health Promoter, Chronic Disease Prevention Team

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 469