The annual Golden Modes Awards recognize companies, organizations and people who best use their resources to influence Triangle employees to pursue smart commuting options. Ultimately, they reduce the number of people who drive alone to work, reducing traffic congestion and improving our air quality.
The list of 2017 winners and their accompanying videos are below:
Commuter Awards
These five awards celebrate people who exemplify smart commuting by demonstrating and encouraging ways to live more through driving less. Smart commuters are people who commute to and from work or school without driving alone: carpoolers, walkers, bus riders, bicyclists and vanpoolers.
The Golden Ticket: James Demby
Awarded to those who go above and beyond when it comes to riding the bus – they are THE transit experts!
The Golden Spoke: Steve Cohn
This award recognizes champions of commuting by bike.
The Pool Party Award: Sarah Smith
Awarded to champions of carpooling or vanpooling and to employers who offer top-tier benefits for their employees who rideshare.
The Golden Sneaker: Katy Lang
Awarded to those who walk the walk and talk the talk and are heavily involved in the pedestrian community.
The Multi-mode Innovator: Damon Seils
Awarded to those who use any combination of bus, bike, carpool or vanpool.
Employer Commute Awards
These three awards are given to employers or employee representatives who demonstrate the best use of resources to influence employees to use commute options other than driving alone.
Employer Commute Champion: NC Department of Public Instruction
An organization or employer that offers top-tier commuter benefits and facilities to provide travel options that improve the quality of life for their employees. This employer’s efforts toward improving air quality and reducing congestion in the Triangle region earn it recognition as best overall.
Employer Commute Honors: NCDOA - State Parking
An organization/employer that has shown the most growth in its program over the year. Although the organization may not offer every commuter benefit or amenity, a commitment to ongoing improvement and success is worth recognizing.
ETC Honors: Christi Turner of Red Hat
In recognition of Employee Transportation Coordinators who go above and beyond the call of duty. These organization/company representatives demonstrate their commitment to smart commuting through assisting and educating employees on available commute options as well as services like the free Emergency Ride Home program.
Community Impact Award: Alliance of Disability Advocates
This award recognizes a community nonprofit, volunteer government commission, community event or an individual advocate who has made a meaningful contribution to solving transportation challenges across the Triangle. This award winner should serve as a model for creating change and establishing smart commuting options and behavior within the Triangle.
Placemaker Award: Kane Realty
Anywhere commuters visit, not just the location of their workplaces, as part of their lives affects their ability to choose sustainable travel options. This Golden Modes Award recognizes developers and property managers who provide or support practical alternatives to private car use for their tenants, residents or visitors.