Twenty-ten is a relatively low-turnout year for the Triangle-wide SmartCommute Challenge, and the campaign has been extended a couple of weeks.

Now you have until May 31 to take part, and to put your name in the virtual hat for prizes including two drawings of $1,500 each, weekend getaways, bikes, a laptop and assorted gadgets and gift cards.

So far a total of 8,474 folks have taken the challenge this year, down by several thousand from previous years.

This is a three-county campaign for people who commute to jobs or college in the Triangle.... [MORE]

With 12 days left in the 2010 campaign, 4151 Triangle folks have taken the SmartCommute Challenge.

You simply pledge to try a new way of getting to work or to campus. How hard is that?

The deadline is May 15.  Participants are eligible for bikes, gadgets, $1500 cash and other prizes.

I know from past SmartCommute campaigns that this is how lots of people discover whether taking the bus could be a real option for them. Sometimes, they find the answer is Yes.

This year the three-county campaign also features a Flickr photo contest with $750 for the best pic submitted by folks showing how they bike, bus, walk, carpool or (I'm leaving something out I know) telecommute to work. Oh, or vanpool. I know they don't say telecommute any more - they say telework.

The 2010 SmartCommute Challenge is about to crank up. That means Triangle commuters will get the chance to win cool stuff in exchange for simply promising to experiment with a new way of getting to work.

This is a three-county, month-long campaign for people who commute to jobs or college in the Triangle. To reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, commuters are encouraged to cut back on driving solo. Alternatives include taking the bus, joining a carpool or vanpool, walking or biking, or "teleworking" from home.

It's pretty easy. Between April 15 (Thursday) and May 15, ... [MORE]