The University of Iowa Bicycle Advisory Committee invites UI faculty, staff, and students to join the Winter Warrior Challenge, a fun way to show that a bike commute is possible despite chilly temperatures, Dec. 1-20.

The committee is encouraging people to bike to work or class as long as they feel safe and comfortable. At the end of each week, participants will log their trips and mileage to be eligible for prizes from local bike shops.

“Commuters who use alternative transportation during the warm months tend to drive their cars when the weather gets cold," says Sara Cooper, intern in the UI Office of Sustainability and member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee. "What they don't know is that biking in the winter is not that hard, and pretty fun. Biking to work during the winter keeps cars off the street and it helps keep Iowa City clean and healthy in the winter.”

Participants can also compete in photo contests in categories that include "brightest bike," "most bundled" and "before and after a winter bike commute." Photos can be posted to @UISustainable on Twitter using the hashtag #hawkwinterwarrior or uploaded on the challenge site.

To sign up and for more information, go to bike.uiowa.edu or the Winter Warrior Challenge site, which also has some tips for safe winter biking.