Active Commuting Lifts Mood, Saves Cash

GRAND RAPIDS (For Immediate Release) – Riding her bike in a skirt is no big deal for Carol Couturier who commutes 8.5 miles each morning to work in Human Resources at Metro Health. Riding to work allows Carol to enjoy the sunrise and the surprised looks from people who see her all dressed up and riding two wheels.

Daily commuting for Troy Carr, in Enterprise and Technical Services at Steelcase, resulted in weight loss, reduced stress and a fatter wallet. “I like not having to pay for gas!” he said.

More and more employees are making active commuting a priority in West Michigan and area employers are coming together to promote the concept through West Michigan’s Active Commute Week, May 14-18. Held in conjunction with National Bike to Work Week, the West Michigan’s Active Commute Week is designed to encourage more people to ride their bicycles to work, walk or take the bus.

This inaugural event is a collaboration between the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition and area businesses and organizations. The GGRBC is a non-profit organization that works on behalf of local cyclists. Its mission is to change Grand Rapids into a safer, more bicycle-friendly community.

Active Commute Week activities include three signature events:

• Active Commute Week Challenge, a fun competition for businesses, organizations and individuals in which they track their “green” commuter trips for the week and compete for prizes. Sign up by May 10 to participate at [email protected]. (see details below)

• Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 18, 7-9 a.m will feature “Rally Stops” along six commuter corridors offering free snacks, drinks, giveaways and good cheer. Mayor Heartwell will begin the day with a commute by bike from his home to City Hall. (See list of rally stops below)

• Active Commute Today LIVE! (A.C.T. Live!), a celebration event, May 18, at The Rapid Central Station platform, 4:30-7:30. The event will feature live bands, food, vendors, giveaways and the Active Commute Week Challenge awards presentation at 6 p.m.. (See details below)

Active Commute Week participants will also be eligible for:

• Free bicycle tune-ups.

• Bicycle safety education and commuter workshops. (see schedule below)

• Discounts at participating bike shops.

• Free prizes and giveaways.

• GVSU Connecting Campuses Ride, May 17, 5:30pm - Riders meet at the Alumni house on the Allendale campus (1 Campus Dr) and Bike Factory (201 Front Ave). Route follows Lake Michigan Drive and O Brien between Allendale and Grand Rapids. Riders have the choice of riding out and back or one way and hopping on the Rapid 50 route to take them back to the starting point.

Campus ride flyer: http://gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/747AFBFD-E778-4800-BB3CB1D437769AFE/wellness/active_commute_flyer_april_18.pdf

Lisa Mead of Steelcase, also an active commuter, had these words of advice for anyone considering making the trip to work by bicycle: “Let go of your inhibitions about wrecking your hair or getting your clothes slightly wrinkled. In reality, no one is going to notice that your hair appears slightly different from wearing a helmet, or that your shirt is slightly rumpled.”

Couturier’s advice? “Plan your route with an eye toward safety while keeping in mind the condition of the road surface. Once you’ve set your route, make a test run on the weekend or your day off to be sure you arrive on time.”

For updates about all Active Commute Week activities, check the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition website at www.bikegrandrapids.org.

Active Commute Week Challenge

The Active Commute Week Challenge is a fun and friendly competition for businesses and individuals interested in supporting commuting in a way that contributes to good health, cleaner air and less dependency on oil.

Participants will track their daily alternative transportation online and compete for the most commuter trips to work during ACW. Alternative commuter transportation can be by bicycle, skateboard, walking or the bus system. The business with the highest commuter trip average wins a trophy. The top individual commuter will receive a plaque and a deluxe bike tune-up package from West Michigan Bike & Fitness.

The winners will be announced May 18, 6 p.m. at the A.C.T. Live! celebration event at The Rapid Central Station platform. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Companies that have signed up for the ACW Challenge include: Amway, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Meijer, Metro Health, Priority Health, Steelcase and West Michigan Bike and Fitness, Adtegrity, Alger Cycle, Cheveron North America, Calvin College, Reformed Church in America.

Companies or individuals interested in joining the challenge or looking for more information, please email [email protected] prior to May 10, 5 p.m.

Challenge rules packet: http://gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/747AFBFD-E778-4800-BB3CB1D437769AFE/wellness/active_commute_challenge_final.pdf

Bike To Work Day (May 18, 7-9 a.m.) Rally Stops

GGRBC volunteers and business owners will serve up drinks, snacks, gifts and encouragement to bicycle commuters who stop by any of the following Rally Stops on Friday, May 18, 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Mayor Heartwell will kick-off Bike to Work Day with a bike commute from his home to City Hall. He will potentially stop at the GRCC and Central District Cyclery rally stops.

Rally Stop Locations:

• Ada Bike Shop, 1311 E. Fulton St., East Fulton District (next to Common Grounds Coffee Shop).

• Alger Bikes - 120 28th St. SW, Wyoming.

• Central District Cyclery 52 Monroe Center NW, downtown Grand Rapids.

• Center of the Universe, Corner of Diamond and Lake, Eastown district, Grand Rapids.

• Grand Rapids Community College Sneden Hall, 415 Fulton St., Grand Rapids (at the Bus pull in).

• Metro Health Family Fare, 2275 Health Dr. SW, Wyoming.

• West Michigan Bike and Fitness 4300 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville.

Cycling Education Workshops

Two bike ed classes were held on May 1. Listed below are the remaining classes.

May 15, 10:30-noon Smart Cycling & Road Rules, Grand Rapids Community College, Sneden Hall, 415 E. Fulton St., Rm 108

GRCC Police officer Tony Myers will teach basic bike safety to keep you safe on the roads while commuting to work. Contact Julie Lenger at [email protected].

May 17, 6:30 p.m. Flat Tire Change Clinic, Village Bike and Fitness, 5991 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. Contact 16-455-4870 or [email protected]

Learn how to change a flat tire.

Active Commute Today Live! (A.C.T. Live!)

Friday, May 18, 4:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m., The Rapid Central Station Platform

A.C.T. Live! celebrates the culmination of Active Commute Week. Live bands, food vendors, minor bike tune-ups by Alger Bikes and booths featuring active commuting make this a family-friendly, FREE event. The general public is invited.

Bands include Karissa Wilson, Big Dudee Roo, Kyle McCarthy, R.J. Nordland and Anthony Emery.

As part of the festivities, Mayor Heartwell will make an appearance at 5:30. Emcee Tommy Allen will present the Active Commute Week Challenge awards at 6 p.m. And exciting announcements by the Rapid and the GGRBC are also on tap!

Everyone is encouraged to move the party to Founders Brewing after the event.

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