Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute promotes GoGallatin Challenge June 3-28

BOZEMAN – The Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University is once again hosting its GoGallatin Challenge to encourage individuals and teams throughout the Gallatin Valley to change how they view their commutes by carpooling, biking, walking or using public transportation.

This year’s fifth annual contest has been extended from three to four weeks and will take place from June 3–28. Matthew Madsen, technical research associate at the Western Transportation Institute, said the event is designed to discourage people from making single vehicle trips, thereby saving time and money while reducing emissions.

“We have options for biking, walking, carpooling, taking Streamline (bus), we have pogo sticking and scootering. Any way you want to switch up your commute is the goal,” Madsen said. “It’s not just to and from work. We’re trying to get people to rethink how they commute, especially during the summer.”

GoGallatin is a project created by the Western Transportation Institute, which is housed in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

Anyone who lives or works in Gallatin County can enter the competition for free. Teams or individuals can win by logging the most trips. Individuals can also log their miles and win prizes from businesses in the county.

The end of the GoGallatin challenge coincides with the Festival of Bikes and Bike to Work Day on June 28. The Festival of Bikes, featuring food trucks, a beer garden, live music, raffles and representation by local bike shops, will be held in Bozeman’s Bogert Park from 5 to 9 p.m. On Bike to Work Day, from 7-10 a.m., participants will receive free coffee and a light snack at stations throughout Bozeman; details will come in the following weeks.

Key partners for this year's GoGallatin Challenge are the city of Bozeman, Streamline, Big Sky SNO, MSU’s Office of Sustainability, the Downtown Bozeman Partnership and many Gallatin Valley businesses.

More information and online registration are available at GoGallatin.org.