In what has become an annual event, a bicyclist, a Greenlink bus rider, and a motorist will compete this Friday, September 20, to see who has the shortest morning commute to downtown Greenville.
This friendly competition is a celebration of World Car Free Day and is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about alternative transportation options in Greenville.
This year, Greenlink is partnering with Furman University’s David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, which works to advocate for and improve alternative modes of transportation for both the Furman campus and the Greenville County community.
Each of the following contestants works at the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability:
Bicyclist – Kelly Grant Purvis
Kelly Grant directs programs that focus on sustainability for students, faculty, staff and community members. She uses the Swamp Rabbit Trail to bike to work nearly every day and tries to be creative about how she gets where she is going.
Bus Rider – Hannah Dailey
Hannah coordinates student and community programming, including a weatherization program for homeowners. She and her husband wish their family in the Midwest would join them so they wouldn’t have to use so much gas to visit.
Motorist – Wes Dripps
Wes is the executive director. He will be driving his 2003 Honda Civic hybrid for the race, which he claims still gets over 40 miles to the gallon.
NEW! Rideshare Customer – Laura Bain
Laura collects and analyzes campus sustainability data. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and singing along to musicals in the car.
Each contestant will depart from the bus stop at Furman University’s front gate at about 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and Hannah boarding Greenlink’s Route 503 bus will serve as the “starting flag.” The bus will be in service, so it must stop and allow passengers on or off as normal. Kelly Grant, who will use the Swamp Rabbit Trail, must be dressed for work (no spandex) and obey all traffic laws. Wes can choose his route to City Hall, but he must obey all traffic laws. Laura will book a trip using a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft and the driver must follow the route provided by the app.
The contestants are expected to arrive at City Hall around 8:20 a.m. City staff will hold the finish line banner at the front door of City Hall and declare the winner. The following rules will apply to the finish:
– Kelly Grant must secure her bike to the bike rack in front of City Hall and walk to the front door
– Hannah must get off the bus at the Greenlink Transit Center and walk to the front door of City Hall
– Wes must park in the Poinsett Garage and walk to the front door of City Hall
– Laura can be dropped off in front of City Hall and walk to the front door
Visit greenvillesc.gov after Sept. 20 for information on who wins the race!
Prepared by the City of Greenville.