04/10/2006

Program spreads throughout state

Smart Commute Week eyed by Governor's Council

By Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City's Smart Commute Week could become the model for a statewide initiative to promote alternatives to driving to work.

Missy Luyk, trail program specialist with Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, recently met with representatives from the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness about the local Smart Commute Week program.

"They're interested in taking that program statewide for next year," she said. "Everyone is interested in the event and how it works."

Risa Wilkerson, vice president of active communities with the Governor's Council, said the preliminary meeting included representatives from TART, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Jackson and Detroit, which will hold its first Smart Commute event this year.

The state already leads the Safe Routes to School program that encourages students to walk and bike to school.

"Now we're looking at how we translate that in the adult world," Wilkerson said.

Luyk said a statewide Smart Commute event likely would include a statewide marketing effort spearheaded by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, and possibly funding assistance for communities interested in their own local initiatives.

With funding from a recent state grant, TART produced a Smart Commute "cookbook" designed to guide other communities that are interested in hosting events.

TART sponsors the local Smart Commute Week every year during the first full week of June. This year's event, scheduled for June 5-9, marks its 12th year promoting alternative transportation methods — including walking, biking, carpooling, and using public transportation — and educating residents about their health, environmental and economic benefits.

The program started as Bike to Work Week, evolved to encourage more forms of transportation, and now includes free breakfasts, a Commuter Cup Challenge competition, bicycle commuting classes and a group ride.