June 7, 2017

 MMontana Commuters logo

 

MSUB’s Montana Commuter Challenge team rocks it!

 

Contacts:

Bryan Grove, Team Captain, 657-2168

University Relations, 657-2266

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — In addition to its team captain biking his way to a top place finish, the Montana State University Billings’ Montana Commuter Challenge should be proud of its self, too.

 

The Montana Commuter Challenge, now in its third year, ran the entire month of May and was a fun event to encourage people to reduce our carbon footprint, exercise, and even save a little cash. 

 

It is made possible by Bike Walk Montana and sponsored by Pacific Source Health Plans.

 

MSUB Team Captain Bryan Grove was the top individual locally for the number of days commuted and the team was named second locally for the total miles commuted, as well as third for the total number of trips taken.

 

Statewide, the team finished fourth in its category for total trips and 10th overall and fifth for total miles.

 

MSU Bozeman also took part in the challenge and came in third in its local division.

 

“The event is a great reminder to dust off your bike or walking shoes after a long winter,” said Grove, who works as a college success specialist in Advising and Career Services.

 

He began commuting to work via bike a few years back and heard about the event after moving to Billings. 

 

“I was not motivated to work out before or after work, so I saw the event as a way to motivate myself to get some exercise,” Grove said. “The next year I thought it would be fun to have other people join me on a team.  I sent out an email, talked to a few people I knew who commuted via bike or walking and the team was born.”

 

For the last 3 years, Grove has encouraged others to commute to work.

 

“I know the physical benefits that help me get through the day.  I am a little competitive, so it is also fun to compete against other organizations in Billings and across the state.

 

This year’s MSU Billings team also included Matt Queen, Dr. Rachel Schaffer, Dr. Deborah Schaffer, Dr. Paul Foster, Lynne Fitzgerald, Jaye Singer Butler, Jessica Torgerson-Lundin, Derrick MacAskill, Cortnie Broadus, Kevin Nemeth, Eric Gilbertsen, Dr. Susan Balter-Reitz and Samantha Thatcher.

 

Statewide, some 1,400 Montanans partook in the month-long challenge which had more than 270 teams broken into tiers based on size of business or public agency.