Active commuters rewarded with coffee, cinnamon buns in Winnipeg

Winnipeggers who walked, ran, cycled, inline skated or otherwise rolled into work on their own steam this morning were treated with free coffee and cinnamon buns downtown.

Members of the Green Action Centre were stationed near the pedestrian/cyclist crossing at Assiniboine Avenue and Osborne Street early Wednesday to reward active commuters with Sunstone coffee, juice and Tall Grass Prairie buns.

The giveaway marked Clean Air Day on Wednesday and is part of the weeklong Commuter Challenge, which encourages Manitobans to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle, carpool, take transit or find other "green" ways to commute to and from work June 5-11.

Commuter Challenge co-ordinator Christey Allen said Wednesday morning's event aims to raise public awareness of the idea of cycling to work. In addition to the morning treats, members of Velo Co-op from St. Boniface were on hand to fix bikes in need of care.

"We're giving people incentives and, you know, cinnamon buns never hurt to get you out of your car," Allen said.

The Green Action Centre will be at The Forks on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the end of Bike to School Month with schools across the province.