Fourth annual “One Less Car Day” returns on Oct. 26

August 29, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida faculty, staff, and students can register online for the fourth annual One Less Car Day starting Wednesday.

The program, developed by UF’s Office of Sustainability, encourages Gators to be a part of the Sustainable UF movement by reducing their single-occupancy car trips and pledging to use alternative transportation on – Oct. 26. The first 800 participants to register online at www.sustainable.ufl.edu/onelesscar will receive a free T-shirt.

UF has a goal of being carbon neutral by 2025, with transportation-related emissions accounting for roughly 10 percent of the university’s carbon footprint. Since 2008, nearly 3,500 people have participated in the One Less Car program, avoiding approximately 100,000 trips and keeping close to 800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.

The office will host an Alternative Transportation Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday on the Reitz Student Union Terrace. Students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to learn about alternative modes from campus and community organizations, and there will be various games, activities, and giveaways. The first 25 people to come and register their bikes with the University Police Department will receive a free, stainless steel UF water bottle.

Additionally, on Sept. 16, the university will participate in the worldwide event, Park(ing) Day to encourage conversation about public spaces, especially in regards to infrastructure and support for alternative transit. The project, originally developed by Rebar, began in 2005 and aims to be a fun and creative way to help people think critically about their communities and transportation habits.
On One Less Car Day, the participants will celebrate with activities and snacks on the Reitz Student Union North Lawn. One Less Car Day registrants will be entered for a chance to win a bicycle, helmet, light kit and lock, and there will be other games, activities and giveaways.

Attendees can also have a chance at the grand prize by “ditching the car, donating a can.” Those who bring two canned goods to the event as part of UF’s participation in the community “Strike Out Hunger” effort will also be entered to win.

To find out more information on how to get involved visit http://sustainable.ufl.edu/onelesscar.