Smart Commute

Local Business Leaders Come Together For Flint Smart Commute 2009

Employees from Citizens Bank, Crim Fitness Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation and The Disability Network commuted more than 1,700 miles by walking, biking, carpooling or taking public transportation for Flint’s 3rd annual Smart Commute Week!

The 2009 Commuter Challenge winner, The Disability Network, succeeded at getting the highest percentage of employees to use people-powered transportation to get to work, meetings, or run workday errands during the week of May 11. In recognition of this year’s winner, a bike rack will be dedicated in their honor and installed in the City of Flint.

As a part of Smart Commute Week, Safe and Active Genesee for Everyone (SAGE) held a free, day-long event at the Crim Fitness Foundation, which included outdoor demonstrations and an information fair that highlighted a variety of commuting options. Attendees experienced how easy it is for people of all ages and abilities to save money, get fit and think green by incorporating alternative transportation into their everyday lives.

What is Smart Commute?

Smart Commute encourages people to use alternative modes of transportation to get to work, school, or to run errands; instead of driving your car, try bicycling, walking, carpooling, or public transit! This initiative is being led by Safe and Active Genesee for Everyone (SAGE).

Why Participate?

For your health

Are you finding it difficult to find the time to get regular exercise?  Burn calories, tone your muscles, and increase your overall fitness level as you walk or bicycle throughout the workday.  Taking the bus or meeting a carpool group?  Walk or bicycle to your bus stop or pick-up point.  Every little bit of physical activity you get can help you reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases, such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

For your pocketbook

Car ownership costs are the second largest household expense.  The average annual cost to own, operate and maintain a car is at least $6000.  Smart Commuting saves you money on fuel costs, automobile maintenance, and parking fees.  The cost to Smart Commute is the price of a good pair of walking shoes, a public transit pass, or bicycle commuting equipment. 

For the earth

Cars are the single largest source of air pollution in the U.S. and contribute significantly to water pollution.  Help make your community a greener place to live by Smart Commuting.  Walk, ride a bicycle, or use public transportation to reduce your carbon footprint and make your community cleaner and more livable for future generations

The Commuter Challenge

One component of Smart Commute Day is the Commuter Challenge.  This is a friendly competition between local businesses and organizations to see who can succeed at getting the highest percentage of employees to walk, bicycle, carpool, or use public transit to get to work or for workday errands during the week of May 11 - 15.  Identify a team captain to register your business or organization and rally co-workers to log workday miles traveled via alternative modes of transportation. The worksite with the highest percentage of employee participation will have a bike rack dedicated in their honor and installed at a location in the City of Flint in recognition of their organization’s participation in the 2009 Smart Commute Commuter Challenge.