Cars driving on a road next to a bike path with cyclists riding along it
Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Smart Trips Challenge

The RoundTrip Smart Trips Challenge takes place every September. It is a free, fun initiative encouraging people who live and work in Dane County to swap solo car trips for biking, busing, walking or rolling, and carpooling—while celebrating those who already choose sustainable transportation year-round.

Note: Trips made for leisure or fitness do not count toward the challenge.

How to Join

Anyone 18 or older can take part in the challenge by creating a free RoundTrip account. During the challenge, simply log your car-free and carpool trips in the RoundTrip Commute Hub to be entered into weekly and grand prize drawings.

By joining, you’ll take part in the challenge and earn chances to win prizes, plus be eligible for the Emergency Ride Home Program for commuters in Dane County.

Register with RoundTrip

Smart Trips Challenge logo

2025 Smart Trips Challenge

Our Collective Impact

  • 336 challenge participants
  • 9,296 bus, bike, walk/roll, and carpool trips
  • 48,000+ miles traveled
  • $11,700+ saved on gas and car maintenance
  • 17.7 tons CO2 emissions avoided

    the same as taking four gas-powered cars off the road for an entire year! 

  • 1,200,000 calories burned

Challenge Sponsors

Thank you to the local businesses and organizations that donated weekly and grand prizes for the challenge:

  • Metcalfe’s Market at Hilldale
  • TREK Bicycle Madison East
  • Machinery Row Bicycles
  • Madison Bikes
  • Metro Transit
  • Monk’s Bar & Grill – Middleton
  • Buck & Honey’s

2026 Smart Trips Challenge

The next Smart Trips Challenge will take place again this September. More information will be available in August.

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