Fascinating ways to Dump the Pump in Mass.: Walking to work enables people-watching

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Walking to work enables people-watching

To commute, I adjust my iPOD, strap on my sneakers, and WALK to work about four days a week from home in Somerville to Genzyme in Allston -- about 1.5 miles.

The best thing is that I get to people watch all through Harvard Square and wave to the "walking man" before I take charge of the crosswalk. Once a week I treat myself to some coffee.

Frances
Genzyme
Allston

Genzyme, Wyeth employees win Dump the Pump

Judges selected Sean from Genzyme as the most creative entry. He won $200 cash. View his blog at right.
The results were close. The entry from Brian, "Dumping the Pump for a Baby," came in a close second place.

Richie from Wyeth with "Biking is a refreshing way to Dump the Pump," was selected at random for a second $200 prize.

THANK YOU to everyone who Dumped the Pump, entered the contest and gave your car and the environment a break. Many of the entries were entertaining and creative. Even if you didn't win one of the prizes, you won in the big picture by saving money on gas, wear and tear on your car, and by preventing pollution.

Many of you dumped the pump by biking, which is the ultimate GOOD commute. Bike commuting makes you look good, feel good and is good for the environment.

No matter what, continue to Dump the Pump all year round, whether prizes are involved or not.

It's really critical to invite your friends and co-workers to join you in carpooling, biking, taking public transit, vanpooling or walking to work. By your good example and inviting others to join you, we can all Dump the Pump.

This is the challenge commuters participated in: to commute by the MBTA, carpooling, vanpooling, biking or walking to work. Better yet, avoid the commute altogether and work from home.

THEN, enter this contest to win one of two $200 prizes -- for either a MBTA/commuter rail pass, gas card or American Express Gift Card -- by describing how you Dumped the Pump.

The contest is open to anyone in Eastern Massachusetts who experiments with an eco-friendly way of getting to work -- even once.

Creativity encouraged!
Create an essay, poem, song, video, photo or something else to illustrate how you Dumped the Pump and gave your car a break. Inspire laughter, tears, and especially, the impetus to ride the bus, train, bike or carpool to work at least one day this summer.

Every entry must answer the following questions and contain a valid e-mail address, which will only be used to contact winners and/or clarify entries.

* How do you normally commute to work?
* How did you Dump the Pump -- take public transit, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk?
* Did you have fun?
* How many days did you Dump the Pump?
* Will you continue to leave your car at home regularly?

Specify the town where you live, the name and address of your company, and how many miles between home and work, one-way. Send questions and entries by e-mail to dumpthepumpMA@gmail.com.

Entries will be judged and prizes awarded after Sept. 1, 2007, when the contest ends. Don't delay. E-mail Dump the Pump entries [or the link to a video] to dumpthepumpMA@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Walking to work enables people-watching

Fascinating ways to Dump the Pump in Mass.

Genzyme, Wyeth employees win Dump the Pump

Dump the Pump and Try the T

Dump the pump by bike commuting