Published: June 03, 2008 12:00 am      

Smart Commute has more relevance this year

TRAVERSE CITY -- Gas prices continue to escalate with no end in sight, so commuters increasingly looking at alternative ways to get around town.

The 14th annual Smart Commute Week, today through June 7, could be a good place to start considering options.

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation is offering a slew of opportunities for commuters to leave the car keys on the counter and participate in a week of activities that include free breakfasts, Free Transit Day, the Commuter Cup Challenge and the Alternative Transportation Expo evening.

The timing couldn't be better.

"With energy prices so high, everyone seems to be thinking about alternatives, whether it's carpooling, bus, or bikes," said event organizer Missy Luyk, a trail program specialist for TART.

Many of the activities and events are focused on Traverse City, but participants come from other communities, including Benzie, Leelanau and Antrim counties.

"There are several options for those who live outside the city limits," said Luyk. "There's the BATA and you can put your bike on the front of the bus, and there is the Northwest Michigan Transportation Alliance that is a car-pooling organization that is in need of people to log in and sign on," she said.

Smart Lots also have been set up around Traverse City where commuters can park all day and then bike or walk the rest of the way to work, Luyk said.

"For instance, if you are coming from Elk Rapids you can park in the lot on Bunker Hill and bike into town. During Smart Commute Week the trailhead parking lots are full all week," she added.

Luyk said the event is set up to span a week to offer more opportunities for alternative travel.

"The idea is that we want them to incorporate this into their lives and hopefully continue to do it for the rest of the summer," she said.

New this year is the Alternative Transportation Expo evening, tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Traverse City.

The evening will resemble a "Friday Night Live" event and will feature a bike rodeo for kids, alternative fuel vehicles, energy demonstrations, the local carpool program, bike shop and outdoor outfitter displays and more.

The bike rodeo will teach kids how to signal, complete a shoulder check and stop at stop signs. A tricycle course also will be set up.

Another popular event is the Commuter Cup Challenge, said Luyk. Forty-five teams from area businesses participated last year and encouraged co-workers to walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation to work.

Wednesday is Transit Day with free BATA in-town Cherriot rides all day.

"There will be some 2,000 riders that day," said Luyk. "People also need to realize that rural routes are just $2 and the buses go as far out as Empire and Suttons Bay. It's a great option for those who live out of town."

Smart Commute Week kicks off today with free breakfast at a variety of locations and includes the 24-hour Bike Challenge, in which riders will take turns on a stationary trainer and will try to ride 434 miles or the distance between Traverse and Toronto.

"The goal is to raise awareness of the bike as a legitimate mode of transportation," said Luyk.

For more information about all the events during the week, visit TART's Website at www.smartcommute.tc.org or call (231) 941-4300.

Carpool club

The NW Michigan Ride Share Connection connects commuters for ride sharing to work, activities, and more throughout the Traverse Bay region. Learn more about the program and sign up for a carpool buddy at NMRide.net.

Free Carpool Parking: Free carpool parking in the downtown parking deck all week.

Smart Lots: Park your car and finish your daily commute by biking, walking, rollerblading, etc., at the following locations:

-- Fouch Road and Cherrybend Road trailheads on the Leelanau Trail

-- First Congregational Church at the base of Old Mission Peninsula

-- Medalie Park (next to Logan's Landing)

-- Hull Park (behind the library)

-- St. Francis Church

-- Oleson's West on N. Long Lake Road

-- Grand Traverse Mall

-- TBA Career Tech Center on Parsons Road

-- AAA Michigan offices (located at 3 Mile/U.S. 31)

-- Civic Center

-- Northwestern Michigan College (Elm Lot)