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| Smart Commute Calendar of Events May 15 Smart Commute Kick-Off May 30 Smart Cycling Class June 16 Walk After Work June 19 Falling Waters Trail Group Commute July 17 Paddle to Work July 17 Smart Commute Movie Night Aug 21 Lake Group Commute Aug 21 Smart Commute Awards Lunch |
Join Us! Smart Commute events are great fun. They all have prize drawings. They also count as a Smart Commute! |
Smart Commute Kick-Off
730 registered Smart Commuters filled the streets of Jackson on Friday, May 15 for the Smart Commute Kick-Off. The Commuter Meet-Up stations at Nixon Park, Ella Sharp Park, and P&T Fitness provided a great place to park a car, grab a snack, and meet up with fellow commuters for the walk or ride to work.
Community leaders rode the Inter-City Trail to demonstrate support for trails in Jackson. One flat tire on the ride highlighted the need for regular maintenance and care for trails.
At noon, Smart Commuters met at Bucky Harris Park for sandwiches from Lenny's and announcement of the winner of the Jackson Coffee Commuter Cup:
Flagstar
Bank (large), CP Federal Credit Union (medium),
JTV (small), P&T Fitness (mini)
This was a beautiful day to kick-off a summer of Smart Commuting!JTV (small), P&T Fitness (mini)
Smart Cycling Class
Cycling is more than balancing, and riding a bike to work can be intimidating if you don't have the skills and knowledge to ride confidently with traffic. On May 30, a few Smart Commuters committed eight hours to learning how to ride around town safely and confidently. The class covered lane positioning, crash statistics, and bike law, as well as skills like scanning, quick stops, and emergency turns.
The class totally changed on Smart Commuters trip to work! Susan Franck, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said "I knew how to ride a bike but no one had ever taught me how to ride in traffic. Now, I absolutely love riding my bike to work and feel disappointed if I ever have to take the car."
Walk After Work
Every Tuesday, the Jackson Parks & Recreation hosts Walk Jackson, a chance to walk with friends and neighbors in our beautiful parks. The Smart Commute joined in on June 16, inviting all Smart Commuters to come down to the Cascades for an evening stroll. We handed out prizes, registered new Smart Commuters, and took names for a drawing for Tigers tickets, Allegiance Wellness Marketplace, and Hot Air Jubilee passes. The Ella Sharp and Sparks (Cascades) parks are a great place to wind down after work. Find out more about the regular Walk Jackson events at www.cityofjackson.org/departments/parks
Falling Waters Trail Group Commute
Friday, June 19 Meet & eat at 7am, ride at 7:30am, reach Jackson by 9am There is no rain date for this event.
Meet at Sew Stoppers parking lot, 203 N Main Street Concord, Mi.
Smart Commuteer are invited to join a tranquil, friendly group bike commute down the Falling Waters Trail. This is a 14-mile ride at your own pace with light breakfast by Sew Stoppers and mechanical support by P&T Fitness. This is a one-way ride to work, so please arrange for your own return trip to Concord.
Paddle to Work
Friday, July 17 7:30am at the High Street bridge near Alro Steel
Looking to add a little adventure into your trip to work?
Want to get a duck's eye view of Jackson?
Seeking a good time with fellow Smart Commuters?
July's group commute takes you out of the driver's seat and puts a paddle in your hand!
The Fitness Council and the Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) are leading a commute by canoe and kayak down the Grand River. You can experience the city from a new perspective on this novel commute. This 40 minute trip will begin at the High St. bridge near Alro Steel at 7:30am. We will end at Consumers Energy Plaza, right downtown. You should organize your own transportation to and from the boats.
This event has limited space and registration is required, even if you plan to bring your own boat. We provide floatation devices. Sign up at info@fitnesscouncil.org
View Paddle to Work in a larger map
Smart Commute Movie Night
Friday, July 17 Doors open at 6pm, Movie rolls at 6:30pm
Michigan Theater, 124 N. Mechanic St. Jackson, Mi
Getting there can be even more than half the fun! We invite all Smart Commuters and their friends to bike, walk, or bus to the Michigan Theater for a free movie. Grab an early dinner at one of the many great restaurants downtown, then cruise around town on your bike or stroll past the downtown shops on your way to the theater.
On Friday, July 17, we are showing “WooLife: One life saved by the game of baseball.” This documentary about the legendary Cub fan, Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers, is a testimony that the human spirit can overcome and conquer the grimmest of circumstances, simply by recognizing the gift of being alive and the passion of truly believing in something.
What does that have to do with Smart Commuting? Nothing! Instead of watching a movie about walking and biking, we will actually make a trip to or through downtown by foot or bike. Then we’ll enjoy a great movie together!
Try out the valet bike parking and pedal a fruit smoothie on the Blender Bike at the theater, too!
What: Smart Commute to the Movies- a free showing of WooLife & assorted Smart Commute fun & prizes
Where: Michigan Theater at 124 N. Mechanic St.
When: Friday, July 17, doors open at 6pm and the movie begins at 6:30pm
Who: All Smart Commuters and their friends and neighbors are welcome. This movie is not intended for children.
Grass Lake Group Commute
Friday, August 21 Meet at 7am, ride at 7:30am
Meet up in Grass Lake for a morning bike ride into Jackson. Many commuters coming from Grass Lake and Michigan Center do not feel comfortable cycling into Jackson. This ride will introduce riders to the best route into town and demonstrate that bike commuting is possible on the east side, too!
View Smart Commute: Grass Lake Group Commute map
Smart Commute Awards Lunch
Friday, August 21
Celebrate a summer of Smart Commuting. At this special event we will recognize the teams and individuals who made Smart Commute a regular part of their work day. We will share stories about the great (and not so great) aspects of Smart Commuting, and celebrate over lunch. We will also be announcing the winners of the Corporate Challenge Trophy!
Join us TODAY, August 21, at 12pm in Optimist Park for lunch, awards, and fun. This is the final Smart Commute Event of the summer, so don't miss it!
See you there!
View Smart Commute Awards Lunch in a larger map