Gas prices aren’t as high as last summer, but the recent spike due to the holiday weekend is reason enough to explore alternative modes of transportation. Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails is offering a solution that will make it possible for you to keep your car in the garage! Leave your keys at home and get your bike tuned up, your tennis shoes laced up or buy a bus pass in preparation for Smart Commute Week! The event takes place from June 1-5, 2009.
The goal of Smart Commute Week is to get folks to consider alternative ways to get around town. Smart commuting includes bicycling, walking, carpooling or taking BATA. The purpose of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative transportation and to educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute.
As we reflect on 15 years of what began as Bike to Work Day, the event has definitely evolved and so has the infrastructure that makes it convenient to bike, walk, take the bus and carpool. In the past 15 years, much progress has been made locally to allow Traverse City to have many Smart Commuting options. Notable progress includes:
• The TART organization, as we now know it, was formed in 1998 and consolidated the Leelanau Trail Association, Friends of TART, the Vasa Pathway and the Boardman Lake Trail steering committee.
• The TART system of trails has grown and expanded continually since it’s founding in 1998. New important trail bridge added fall 2008.
• BATA added in-town fixed routes.
• More bike parking has been added due to a 1999 provision by the City that requires bike parking at all new and remodeled buildings.
• More bike events, running races and walk-a-thons offer a presence that makes biking, walking, and running more common-place and therefore, safe.
• Bike lanes have been added on Front St, State St and Woodmere Ave between 2002 and 2005.
• BATA began adding permanent bike racks to all of it’s buses in 2003
• TART and Traverse City added improved bike route markings (TART in Town) in 2008
• NMRide.net carpooling program was launched in 2006
• BATA added rural route connector service in 2005-2006
• Traverse City named as a Bike Friendly Community in 2009
• Smart Commute Week numbers are on the rise with 2008 figures coming in at: 991 people attended the breakfasts; 461 commuter cup team members participated on 36 teams and together prevented 19,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions during the 4-day period; and 1387 riders took BATA on Try Transit Day, 21% increase over last year.

For this year’s event, we’ll be having free breakfast for smart commuters all week, Try Transit Day on Wednesday, a 4-day Commuter Cup Challenge workplace competition, Bike Commute Classes to teach comfortable on-road biking skills and, of course, an awards ceremony on Friday morning at the Mustard’s breakfast! Be a part of it! Go to www.smartcommuteTC.org for complete Smart Commute Week information.

“Many people are starting to think twice about getting in the car. The event aims to showcase the alternative transportation options that are available locally,” said event organizer Missy Luyk. “We hope that people who are interested in learning more about transportation alternatives will come to the evening expo event and participate in Smart Commute Week.”