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Community Corner

Lansing challenges Ann Arbor area to go green on May 2

Clean Commute Options, together with BIGGBY COFFEE, is launching an effort that both Spartans and Wolverines can support – the first annual Casual Commute Day on Friday, May 2, during which participants are encouraged to take life a little easier through clean commuting.

The free event will also put a new twist on the Michigan State University/University of Michigan rivalry, with Greater Lansing’s Clean Commute Options program challenging its Ann Arbor counterpart, getDowntown, in a battle for the title of “cleanest commuting community in the state.”

The goal is for each community to achieve 2,000 participants who vow to walk, ride their bike or let someone else do the driving by riding the bus or carpooling during their May 2 commute.   

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“Whatever their collegiate allegiance, we’re hopeful commuters will rally around the common cause of improving our environment,” said Sandy Draggoo, CEO and executive director of the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), which operates Clean Commute Options. “When fewer vehicles are on the road, we all win because it means less congestion and cleaner air.”

Nancy Shore, getDowntown director, said she believes the Ann Arbor area is primed for the competition. She noted that the May 2 event coincides with the Commuter Challenge getDowntown is staging throughout the entire month of May, and the competition with Greater Lansing will further spotlight the benefits of alternative commuting.

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“Our community has consistently shown that it’s among the leaders and the best when it comes to promoting healthier lifestyles,” she said. “And there’s nothing like a good, ‘clean’ competition to bring out the best in everyone.”

Lansing-area participants can register for Casual Commute Day at casualcommute.org. Sign-up information for those in the Ann Arbor area can be found at www.getdowntown.org. All registrants will receive a BIGGBY COFFEE coupon, as well as become eligible for prizes that Clean Commute Options and getDowntown will award in their respective communities.

Lansing-area BIGGBY COFFEE outlets have also gotten on board with the challenge. For example, employees are wearing T-shirts and buttons touting the event, and BIGGBY cups temporarily bear stickers encouraging participation in Casual Commute Day.

“We’re putting out the call for our customers and the entire Greater Lansing area to try an alternate commute on May 2,” said Bob Fish, BIGGBY COFFEE CEO. “We all know that casual Fridays help to boost spirits in the workplace, and I believe that Casual Commute Day will also leave participants feeling good about themselves.”

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