This year marks Mountain Rides’ 11th Annual Smart Moves Challenge. All you have to do is get out of your car— walk, bike, carpool, vanpool, bus, skateboard, rollerblade, unicycle…you get the idea. We’ll be awarding some amazing prizes, including a 2011/12 Sun Valley Winter Ski Pass valued at $1899 from Sun Valley Resort, in a whole slew of categories: most trips, most miles, best effort, etc.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Anyone can participate, and it’s totally free. Just log all of your trips between May 16 and August 12 on our Paper Trip Tracker or go green (and become eligible for exclusive prizes) by logging trips on Idaho Rideshare. We’ll be announcing exclusive online prizes on Facebook and Twitter, so follow us for more chances to win. Contact Eric at 788-RIDE x104 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info.

WHAT IS IDAHO RIDESHARE?

Idaho Rideshare is an online platform for finding carpools, vanpools or bike buddies. With Idaho Rideshare, you can find a one-time trip to the airport or a daily carpool to school. You can also log your trips (bike, bus, walk, carpool, etc) to see how much carbon and money your saving. Joining is quick, easy and free—not to mention a great way to win prizes from Mountain Rides or your employer.

HOW DO I GET AN IDAHO RIDESHARE ACCOUNT?

To Set Up an Account:

1. Go to Idaho Rideshare
2. Click on “Not Registered? Click Here to Sign Up!”
3. Enter your information

SO, HOW DO I WIN STUFF?

Rewards are available to members of Idaho Rideshare based on the number of trips or total miles traveled. To be eligible for rewards, you have to log your trips (don’t worry, it’s super simple).

To log your trips:

1. Click on Calendar
2. Click on your mode of travel – for example, bus – then enter the trip details that it prompts for
3. Click on the days that you used the bus
4. Repeat for other modes

You’ll automatically be entered in any reward program you’re eligible for, and you can always check to see what rewards are available under ‘Benefits’. See, super easy.

HOW DO I FIND A CARPOOL?

1. To find a carpool, whether it’s recurring or a single trip, click on “Ride Match”
2. Enter the parameters of your trip
3. Idaho Rideshare will search its database to find a carpool in your area

HOW CAN I CALCULATE MY FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS?

On the Idaho Rideshare homepage, there is a “Commute Cost Calculator” in the bottom left-hand corner. Enter the requested information to find out the true cost of your commute…we have a feeling you’ll be surprised! Idaho Rideshare also helps you keep track of how much carbon and money you save by biking, busing, walking, or carpooling. Every time you log in, you’ll see your cumulative fuel and emissions savings in the “Your Achievements” box.

HOW CAN I FIND A CARPOOL TO A SPECIFIC EVENT?

You can use Idaho Rideshare to find a ride to events throughout the Valley. If you’re putting on an event, add it to the calendar to help people coordinate rides.

To find a carpool to an event:

1. Click on Events –>View Events
2. Find the event you’re interested in, then click “Add Trip to Event”
3. Add your info and Idaho Rideshare will hook you up with a carpool

To add your own event:

1. Click on Events –> Add Event
2. Enter your event name, info, location, schedule, and a logo and additional info if you want
3. Idaho Rideshare will add the event to your networks calendar, allowing anyone in the network to find a ride to your event