In 2023 and 2024, Active Commute Week in June was designed to get people out of their cars and onto paths, sidewalks, and transit routes. It provided fun, friendly competition for schools and neighbourhoods to track the kilometres they travelled and avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also previously known as Bike to Work/School Week and YXY by Bike Week, the program has been rebranded as Active Commute Whitehorse to reflect its expanded, year-round focus on active and sustainable travel.
Over the past decade, the enthusiasm of participants and the growing recognition of active transportation benefits led to an important realization—this initiative shouldn’t be limited to just one week – to create lasting changes in commuter travel routines that improve their health and environment.
This community initiative responds to a troubling trend: the dominance of single-occupant vehicle use in Whitehorse, which is approximately 70%, exceeding the City’s sustainable transportation targets. With transit, walking, and cycling rates either stagnant or declining, Active Commute Whitehorse is necessary to reverse these patterns.
Now A Year-Round Initiative
Today, Whitehorse residents are encouraged to take notice of their travel throughout the year, making sustainable commuting a long-term habit instead of a temporary challenge.
Active Commute Whitehorse supports residents with year-round education and engagement through its rebranded website, monthly newsletters, and a signature Active Commute Month Challenge in May. This engaging, team-based competition promotes active travel through incentives, public recognition, and community support stations. By registering as a Whitehorse employer or school team, participants can track their daily trips in real-time and see a positive impact on their health and environment. We’ll also be piloting with community partners tailored Travel Guides for employers, schools, and community advocates to share in October 2025 and help implement year-round.
The message is clear: every trip counts. Whether heading to work or school, choosing an active commute is a step toward a healthier, greener future.
Past Challenge Results
2024
- School winner: Holy Family Elementary
- Neighbourhood winner: Takhini/Yukon University
- Honourable mentions: Marwell, Whistle Bend, Hillcrest, Logan, Porter Creek/Kulan/Taylor, Granger, Riverdale, Cowley Creek, Crestview
- 4,053 km travelled by neighbourhoods
- 201 km travelled by schools
- 934 kg of GHG emissions avoided
2023
- School winner: Christ the King Elementary
- Neighbourhood winner: Takhini/Yukon University
- Honourable mentions: École Whitehorse Elementary, Golden Horn Elementary, Grey Mountain Primary, Hillcrest, Copper Ridge, Raven’s Ridge/Eagles’ Eye
- 5,053 km travelled by neighbourhoods
- 2,258 km travelled by schools
- 1,596 kg GHG emissions avoided
2022
- School winner: Grey Mountain Primary
- Workplace winner: LDAY
- Total teams: 35
- Total riders: 201
- 7,080 km cycled
- 2,345 Kg GHG emissions avoided
2021
- School winner: École Whitehorse Elementary
- Workplace winner: City of Whitehorse
- Honourable mentions: École Selkirk Street School, Yukon Montessori, Yukon University, Parks Canada
- 35 teams
- 209 riders
- 9,060 km cycled
- 2,980 kg GHG emissions avoided
2020
Not held due to COVID-19
2019
- School winner: École Selkirk Street School
- Workplace winner: Yukon Land Use Planning Council
- Honourable mentions: École Whitehorse Elementary, Morrison Hershfield, Yukon Conservation Society, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Hemmera, EDI
- 42 teams
- 226 riders
- 8,078 km cycled
- 2,671 kg GHG emissions avoided
2018
- School winner: École Whitehorse Elementary
- Workplace winner: Stantec
- Honourable mentions: Yukon Land Use Planning Council, Morrison Hershfield, PhysioPlus
- 48 teams
- 273 riders
- 6,955 km cycled
- 2,284 kg GHG emissions avoided
2017
- School winner: École Whitehorse Elementary
- Workplace winner: Yukon Government, Department of Finance
- Honourable mentions: CBC, City of Whitehorse, École Émilie-Tremblay, F. H. Collins Secondary, Holy Family Elementary, Lackowicz & Hoffman, Les EssentiElles, Morrison Hershfield, Northwestel, Parks Canada, Stantec, The Salvation Army, YG Community Services, YG Education, YG Energy Mines and Resources, YG Executive Council Office, YG Finance, YG Health & Social Services, YG Highways & Public Works, YG Justice, YG Tourism & Culture, Yukon Archives (Department of Tourism & Culture), Yukon College, Yukon Conservation Society, Yukon Energy Corp, Yukon Housing Corp, Yukon Land Use Planning Council, Yukon Water Board Secretariat
- 30 teams
- 109 riders
- 3,133 km cycled
- 1,029 kg GHG emissions avoided
2016
- School winner: École Whitehorse Elementary
- Workplace winner: City of Whitehorse
- Honourable mentions: Access Consulting Group, BYTE, École Émilie-Tremblay, Jack Hulland Elementary, Morrison Hershfield, Northwestel, Parks Canada, RCMP, Stantec, Whitehorse Motors Ford, Wykes’ YIG, YG Community Services, YG Economic Development, YG Energy Mines and Resources, YG Environment, YG Executive Council Office, YG Health and Social Services, YG Highways & Public Works, YG Justice, YG Public Libraries, Yukon College, Yukon Conservation Society, Yukon Energy Corp, Yukon Housing Corp, Yukon Land Use Planning Council, Yukon Transportation Museum
- 35 teams
- 194 riders
- 6,185 km cycled
- 2,061 kg GHG emissions avoided
2015
- Workplace winners: City of Whitehorse
- Honourable mentions: Yukon Energy Corp, Northwestel, BYTE, Eldorado Hotel, Opus DaytonKnight Consultants, CBC, Outside the Cube, Morris & Sova, Kareway Homes, Holistic Health, Alkan Air, Access Consulting Group, CAFN Property Services, Stantec, PR Services, YG Health & Social Services, Yukon Chamber of Commerce, AON Reed Stenhouse, Hemmera, RCMP, Village of Teslin, CKRW, Elite Hotel & Travel, Yukon Archives (Department of Tourism & Culture), Yukon Water Board Secretariat, Marsh Lake Community Society, YG Tourism & Culture
Transport, Yukon Conservation Society - 56 teams
- 175 riders
- 4,632 km cycled
- 1,529 kg GHG emissions avoided
