Alternative Transportation Expo in Traverse City
Smart Commute Week
Thu, May 29, 2008 - By Missy Luyk
Hello TART Friends,
Next week is Smart Commute Week! We have all kinds of fun activities planned around Traverse City! There’s still time to get in on the action!
With energy prices rising, many people are thinking twice before driving these days. 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 BATA pass in preparation for Smart Commute Week! The event takes place next week June 2-6, 2008. 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.
Smart Commute Week events include free breakfasts for ‘smart commuting’ each day, a workplace competition called the Commuter Cup Challenge, Try Transit Day featuring free Cherriot bus service on Wednesday, free carpool parking downtown, park and ride ‘smart lots’ and an Alternative Transportation Expo on Monday evening.
Alternative Transportation Expo June 2 from 7-9 pm in downtown Traverse City. The street will be closed in the 100-200 blocks of E. Front Street for folks seeking out alternative transportation options. The Expo will be set up similar to a Friday Night Live event.
Expo events include:
We hope to see you out and about enjoying all of the Smart Commute Week activities. Check www.smartcommutetc.org for complete event details or peruse the attached event brochure.
Get involved with TART!
-Missy
Missy Luyk, Trail Program Specialist
TART Trails, Inc.
Office: 232 E. Front Street in downtown Traverse City
Mail: PO Box 252, Traverse City, MI 49685
231.941.4300
traversetrails.org
Next week is Smart Commute Week! We have all kinds of fun activities planned around Traverse City! There’s still time to get in on the action!
With energy prices rising, many people are thinking twice before driving these days. 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 BATA pass in preparation for Smart Commute Week! The event takes place next week June 2-6, 2008. 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.
Smart Commute Week events include free breakfasts for ‘smart commuting’ each day, a workplace competition called the Commuter Cup Challenge, Try Transit Day featuring free Cherriot bus service on Wednesday, free carpool parking downtown, park and ride ‘smart lots’ and an Alternative Transportation Expo on Monday evening.
Alternative Transportation Expo June 2 from 7-9 pm in downtown Traverse City. The street will be closed in the 100-200 blocks of E. Front Street for folks seeking out alternative transportation options. The Expo will be set up similar to a Friday Night Live event.
Expo events include:
- Bicycle education course for kids- The 100 block will be dedicated to a bike rodeo (bike safety) for kids. The short course teaches kids how to signal, complete a shoulder check and stop at stop signs. A tricycle course will also be set up, so don't be afraid to bring the youngsters! With school almost out, parents may want to bring the whole family downtown so their kids can learn some helpful biking tips before the busy summer season begins.
- Bike shop displays- See the latest trends in cycling, cycling gear and accessories to make bicycle commuting easier. Representatives from 3 local bike shops will be attending.
- Outdoor outfitter apparel displays- If walking or hiking is your preferred ‘smart commute’ mode of travel, then check out the latest in footwear, clothing, and gear that will make your trek around town more comfortable.
- NMC Energy Trailer display- Alternative energy in display. Northwestern Michigan College’s energy trailer features information about renewable resources and energy efficiency technology.
- Bio-diesel, electric, and hybrid cars on display- If you’ve ever wanted to look at alternative fuel vehicles side-by-side, now is your chance. Learn more about alternative fuel vehicles and see if it could be a good fit for your family.
- Vespas and electric scooters- Looking to downsize your transportation? Information and model options will be on display.
- NMRide.net local carpool program sign-ups- Not ready to take trade in your car and get a hybrid model? Well, sign up for a carpool. NMRide.net is a carpool database that makes carpool matches locally. Learn more at the Expo.
- BATA bike rack demo and hybrid-electric bus tours- BATA offers fixed routes, rural route service, dial-a-ride and more. If you’ve never taken the bus, they offer a buddy system to acclimate new riders. Also, in-town Cherriot buses are free for Try Transit Day on June 4 during Smart Commute Week.
- Cherry Capital Cycling Club information about bicycling and a refurbished bike give-away program.
- City Police bicycle registration table- Register your bike! If your bike ever gets lost or stolen, the police have better chances of recovering it if it’s registered.
- Bike-themed movie at the State Theater - 7:30 p.m. - $8.00 Jour de Fete (Festival Day) - (1949) Jacques Tati's award-winning feature debut is a joyful blend of satire and slapstick comedy. Francois (Jacques Tati), a village postman, zips through his rounds on his beloved bicycle--the old-fashioned way. Jour de Fete is an hilarious expose of the modern obsession with speed and efficiency, set amidst the rural surroundings of a tiny French village. 70 minutes.
- 24 Hour Bike Challenge- Riders will take turns on a stationary trainer and will try to ride 434 miles (the distance from Traverse City to Toronto) in 24 hours. The goal is to raise awareness of the power of the bicycle to transform cities by offering an energy efficient, safe, convenient, space saving, non-polluting form of urban transportation.
We hope to see you out and about enjoying all of the Smart Commute Week activities. Check www.smartcommutetc.org for complete event details or peruse the attached event brochure.
Get involved with TART!
-Missy
Missy Luyk, Trail Program Specialist
TART Trails, Inc.
Office: 232 E. Front Street in downtown Traverse City
Mail: PO Box 252, Traverse City, MI 49685
231.941.4300
traversetrails.org