Photo: Jack Amick via Flickr.

Bike sharing is increasingly popular throughout the Great Lakes region. Minnesota has a statewide system; Lansing, Mich. recently began exploring the idea; and B-cycle, of Waterloo, Wisc.,  recently was  named the fifth most innovative transportation company by Fast Company Magazine. B-cycle also has locations in Chicago and Madison.

Perhaps such systems could help recruit riders to fight climate change.

Clif Bar, an organic food company conceived during a bike ride, has launched a campaign to avoid 100,000 car trips.

The “2 Mile Challenge” encourages participants to swap their cars for their two-wheelers for commutes two miles or less. 40 percent of all urban travel falls into that category, yet 90 percent of those trips are by car. Participants have so far avoided more than 12,000 car trips.

Participants select one of three nonprofits to support. Clif Bar will award a total of $100,000 in grants to Alliance for Biking & Walking, Safe Routes to School, and 350.org – disbursement correlates with the success of each team. Bikers log their trips and are motivated by teammates and chances to win gear.

So check out the video below to learn more and get started – at the very least, it’s got some catchy music!