LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Oct. 10, 2014) – The City of Little Rock will celebrate its annual Mayor’s Car-Free Challenge next week. Now in its fourth year, this initiative motivates citizens to give up the use of their cars for a week. The challenge begins Monday, Oct. 13 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 19.

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola shared his personal commitment to this program.

“I am challenging myself and all of our residents to not use their cars and, instead, to use alternative means of transportation,” said Stodola. “You can ride the bus, ride a bike, walk or catch a ride with a friend.”

This goal of this seven-day challenge is to raise awareness of the many alternative transportation options available to Little Rock residents that can benefit the community.

“This challenge is important to our City because of both the health benefits and the environmental impact,” said Stodola.” Walking or biking to work is a great way to add exercise to your day, and it serves as a helpful example to our children of how to live a healthy lifestyle. There are also many positive environmental impacts from walking, biking and using public transportation.”

Transit systems, like Central Arkansas Transit (CAT), reduce the number of cars on the road. During peak service, CAT buses carry the equivalent of 6,000 passenger cars per hour. Buses reduce pollution and improve air quality. CAT also has Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses that reduce emissions by more than 60 percent.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaving a car at home two days a week can reduce carbon emissions by two tons a year.

Citizens interested in biking to work or enjoying a bike ride during their lunch hour would also benefit from health improvements. Long-term benefits of cycling include improved cardiovascular fitness, decrease in the risk of coronary heart disease, weight control, increased metabolism, longer lifespan, improved mental health and a stronger immune system.

To promote participation, challenge participants will be eligible for daily prizes and a final grand prize. Prizes will be awarded to those who post a selfie on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #CarFreeLR.

Daily prizes available are:

• Gift certificates to Shop the Rock
• Bobby’s Bike Hike tour rental passes
• “I Bike LR” t-shirts
• City of Little Rock bike jerseys
• Reusable CAT tote bags
• CAT bus ride passes
• Free trolley rental for one hour
• Little Rock Zoo passes

The grand prize will be a lunch with Mayor Mark Stodola at The Capital Hotel’s brand-new restaurant One Eleven.

Daily winners will be announced on the City of Little Rock’s social media sites. Prizes can be picked up at the Car-Free Challenge table at Biketoberfest from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the River Market Pavilions.

All participating entries will be eligible for the grand prize. The winner will be drawn at Biketoberfest and announced on the City of Little Rock social media sites.

To follow the City of Little Rock on social media go to:

Facebook.com/CityLittleRock
Twitter: @CityLittleRock
Instagram: @CityLittleRock

###