Fitness Council of Jackson
Smart Commute Calendar
June, 2009
In this issue:

Smart Commute Sponsors
The Smart Commute would not be possible without the generous contributions of these businesses:
P&T Fitness
Allegiance Health
JTV
Step One
On2Wheels
Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists
Jackson Coffee Co.
Anderson Printing
Lenny's Sub Shop
Panera Bread
Dawn Foods
Michigan Flyer
Hot Air Jubilee
Willis & Machnik
Polly's Country Market
Walmart

CP Federal Credit Union
 
CP Federal Credit Union is a proud sponsor of the
Fitness Council of Jackson and a Smart Commute 2008 Corporate Challenge Champ!

Be the change...
The Fitness Council is making it safe, easy, and fun to bike and walk in Jackson, but we can't do it without community support.  Here are a few ways that you can contribute to a healthier, more active Jackson:
 
Volunteer with Us
Fixing bikes, walking to school, or providing accounting expertise.  The opportunities to help us keep Jackson fit and active are endless.We have a spot for everyone!
 
Become a Member
Members are the heart of nonprofits.  They provide the resources to get work done.  They also provide the support for our advocacy efforts.  When the Fitness Council speaks out on issues of fitness, activity, and walkability, let us speak for you. Join today!


The Smart Commute Continues!
The Smart Commute Kick-Off was a great success, with 730 registered Smart Commuters walking, biking and busing to work in their green t-shirts!
But that was just the beginning!  The Fitness Council is hosting events, giving away prizes, and cheering for Smart Commuters throughout the summer.  Hopefully the Kick-Off helped you realize how easy and enjoyable it can be to include walking, biking, and transit into your trip to work.  Remember how good it felt to arrive to your job alert and awake and ready to work?  Don't let that feeling slip away.  Try Smart Commuting again at least once in June.  If that works well, try fitting in one Smart Commute each week.
If you need a little motivation, organize another Smart Commute with your team of co-workers.  Or join the Fitness Council at one of our many Smart Commute events!

Smart Commute Calendar
June  16    After-Work Walk in the Park
Join us at 7pm tonight for an evening stroll around Cascades Park!  We invite Smart Commuters to join this regular Walk Jackson event, and stop by the Smart Commute table for a chance to win prizes!
June  19    Falling Waters Trail Group Commute
Meet at Sew Stoppers in Concord to bike the Falling Waters Trail in to Jackson.  This 12 mile ride is peaceful, energizing, and fun! 
7am    Meet, greet, & eat
7:30   Ride out
8am    Cross Lime Lake (Spring Arbor riders meet-up!)
9am   Arrive at work, refreshed and energized!

July   17    Paddle to Work
July   17    Michigan Theater Movie
Aug   21    Grass Lake Group Bike Commute
Aug   21    Smart Commute Awards Lunch
Get more details on these events at www.fitnesscouncil.org!
 
Corporate Challenge Leader Board
Smart Commuting is fun.  Winning the Smart Commute Corporate Challenge is funner!  Here are the teams that are current leaders in the Corporate Challenge:
League Leader Participation
Mini (2-10) P&T Fitness 100%
Small (11-50) JTV 91.7%
Medium (51-150) CP Federal Credit Union 44%
Large (151 & up) Flagstar Bank 13.9%
These teams won the Jackson Coffee Commuter Cup for best participation at the Smart Commute Kick-Off, but any team could still be a Champion!

Smart Commuters learn Smart Cycling
Riding to work is a great way to start your day, but most people don't have the skills and knowledge to ride safely and effectively. 
On May 15, five people (including two Smart Commuters!) joined a Smart Cycling class and learned how to ride safely and effectively with traffic.  We learned everything from how traffic principles and laws apply to bikes to emergency stopping skills.
The class made a big impact on the commute of Susan Franck.  "I knew how to ride a bike but no one had ever taught me how to ride in traffic...For me the empowerment and knowledge added to my enjoyment because it took away my uncertainty.  Now, I absolutely love riding my bike to work and feel disappointed if I ever have to take the car."
If you want to be a part of the next Smart cycling class, drop us an email at info@fitnesscouncil.org.
 
Smart Commuter Deals
Smart Commuting saves you more than gas money.  Your Smart Commute t-shirt is good for discounts at local area retailers as well!
P&T Fitness
Wear your Smart Commute T-shirt for 10% off of anything in stock all summer!
JTA
Wear your Smart Commute T-shirt to ride the bus FREE on the third Friday of each month this summer!

Look for more Smart Commute Deals as the summer continues.  If your business wants to offer a Smart Commute discount, contact the Fitness Council.

 
Track your Commute!
We want to know how Smart Commute changed your trip to work!  The easiest way to let us know is to track your Smart Commutes.  The Smart Commute Tracker is a simple tools for recording your walking, biking, and bus trips to work.
It only takes a minute for any Smart Commute team member to sign in and record your Smart Commute trips for the week.  You can contact your team leader for information on how to sign in.   We are working on a way for solo Smart Commuters to track their commutes, so bear with us.
Tracking your Smart Commutes is a good way to motivate yourself to continue Smart Commuting.  It also helps the Fitness Council measure the impact of the Smart Commute program.  And of course we have prize drawings that are based on tracking your Smart Commutes!
Sign in today to track your Smart Commutes right here!