Mike is the type of person you might not typically think of as a sustainable commuter. He’s the President and COO of a growing company. He’s a dad. And he has a free parking spot in the back of his building.

But don’t let those details fool you. From my interview with Mike it’s clear that commuting sustainably fits perfectly into his life and has some unexpected benefits. Mike Felkey works at Intersect Digital, a small web development firm with some big clients. Intersect has worked with such companies as Subaru and Saatchi & Saatchi. The company’s headquarters is in downtown Ann Arbor (on First Street) and they also have a location in New York (who doesn’t, really). Depending on the amount of work available, Intersect employs anywhere from 17 to 60 employees. Currently, business is on the upswing.

The first clue into Mike’s interest in sustainable commuting comes when we talk about the company’s culture. Intersect is very supportive of telecommuting for its employees. Since many of the company’s employees live in places like Southfield and Novi and since many of them are working mothers, this benefit really helps cut down on a stressful commute. As far as Mike’s concerned, as long as employees get the work done, it doesn’t matter where they do it. We then chatted a bit about Daniel Pink’s new book, Drive, which describes how the businesses of the future are finding ways to motivate their employees through giving them freedom rather than imposing tons of rules. And according to Mike, this philosophy really pays off.

So what about the employees who do commute to work? Since Intersect offers the go!pass to employees, some of them happily take the bus. Other employees walk or ride their bikes. As far as Mike goes, he likes to walk, bike or take the bus to work. His commute isn’t super short either. If he chooses to walk, it can take him about 40 minutes.

So what’s Mike’s motivation for walking, biking or busing to work? He’s got a free space out back, and could probably get to work by car in less than 40 minutes. A big benefit Mike sees in leaving his car at home is that walking, biking and busing are all great for his health. He gets to build some exercise into his day, which might otherwise be a challenge to find the time for. Now that there are Zipcars downtown (a couple just a block from him office), Mike can bike, walk or bus to work even when he needs to go to a meeting out of town.

As we start to chat a little about Mike’s kids (his son goes to Tappan and his daughter goes to Burn’s Park Elementary), I find out another great benefit of Mike’s commute. Both of his kids have grown up watching Mike walk to work and now they want to walk to school. With all of the current news about childhood obesity, the example that Mike is setting for his kids is really inspiring.

When I asked Mike what he might like to see improved about transportation in our community, he lists fixing the lights so they are more in sync, improving the parking downtown, and adding more bike lanes to make cycling safer. We also talked a little but about the possibility of light rail, which is a topic he’s really interested in. Mike even said he’d contemplate giving up his car if there were light rail, especially since there are Zipcars available.

Mike’s biking, walking and busing ways are not unique among leaders in downtown Ann Arbor. Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations, frequently bikes to work. Grace Singleton, Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Deli, is also a bike commuter. Bonnie Valentine of the Whole Brain Group often takes the bus to work. Curtis Sullivan and Liz DellaRocco, owners of Vault of Midnight walk and carpool to work.

Any downtown commuter can join this great list of leaders. All you have to do is hop on a bus, grab your bike, or strap on your walking shoes. If you work downtown and would like some help figuring out which commuting option is best for you, getDowntown can help! Simply give us a call, check out our website or send us an email for personal commuting assistance.

If you’re a little hesitant about busing, biking or carpooling to work downtown, you’re not alone. The world of sustainable transportation can be a little daunting.

That’s where we come in.  The getDowntown Program has experience with every commuting option you could think of (except maybe a pogo stick).

To make your life easier, we’ve created this handy Commuting Question form. All you have to do is type in your commuting question and we’ll send you a personal response.  Please note, this service is only available for employees/employers  in downtown Ann Arbor.

Click here to send us a Commuting Question.

Don’t have a question now?  Our Commuting Question form is on our website whenever you need it: getdowntown.org/resources/commutingquestion.html

Attention Downtown Employees, Managers, Admin Assistants, and HR Directors:

Wish you had a packet of commuting information for your employees?  Wish you could get all of your commuting materials delivered to your door? Wish granted!

You can now request materials from the getDowntown Program for all commuting options to downtown Ann Arbor.  From AATA Ride Guides to bike maps to new employee orientation guides, we have it all.

And every order comes with a free getDowntown pen!

Please note: this service is only available to downtown Ann Arbor employers/employees

Click here to request commuting materials from getDowntown.

Our first interview is with Bonnie Valentine, Business Lead, the Whole Brain Group.  The Whole Brain Group is a small women-owned business that provides custom web-based software for a variety of clients from academic institutions to hospitals.  The Whole Brain Group is based in downtown Ann Arbor.

Now, on with the interview . . .

Leading by Example: Bonnie Valentine, Business Lead, the Whole Brain Group.

getDowntown (gDt): Do you try to walk, bike, bus, carpool etc to work?
Bonnie Valentine (BV): My primary methods of transportation are a combination of walking and  the bus.  However, once I reach my downtown office I’ll carpool with  co-workers to meetings or events outside of downtown limits.

gDt: Why is  sustainable commuting important to you?
BV: My reasons for walking and using the bus to commute are many.  Most important to me is reducing my carbon footprint and setting an example to others that an automobile isn’t necessarily the answer for
transportation.

gDt:  What do you do to encourage others at your workplace to try biking, busing, walking, etc?
BV: Continue talking about my personal experiences from meeting other’s  during my commute.  Remind them of my dollar savings from reducing the  need of a second family car, insurance, gas, less parking tickets and  monthly parking expense.  Lead by example in working from home -  telecommuting – a couple days of week.

gDt:  Have all of the different transportation options there are to get to downtown benefited your employees and/or your business?  If so, how so?  If not, why not?
BV: The bus has assisted our employees getting to and from the Ann Arbor Office  on 5th Avenue/Washington.  In the past we had an employee that  commuted from Chelsea using the Chelsea Express Bus.  Many employees
telecommute – one employee from New York – and we use conference  phone, online tools (documents, chat, presentation) not only with employees, but clients on our national roster saving cost on air transportation.

gDt: What would be the single best thing that downtown Ann Arbor could do to make it easier for people to get downtown by biking, walking, busing, etc.?
BV: It would be great if the downtown A2 would create a partnership with a  local gym facility for biking commuters requiring a shower and  clothing change.  Possibly a discount or flash your pass to gain
access to showers and lockers at YMCA, UM, or other gyms.  My co-workers and I have biked in the past.  Our main hang up for not  continuing via bike transportation is due to our offices not having  showers.  It is hard to sit across from a client after an aerobic work- out.

gDt: What do you hear from your employees about what they would like to see related to commuting to work in downtown Ann Arbor?
BV: The Zipcar fleet was a nice addition, but the main issue continues to be parking downtown.  We can walk to a meeting location faster than signing up for Zipcar and then finding and paying for parking for
shuttling between client meetings.

gDt: What is the best thing about having your business downtown?
BV: The best thing about having a downtown office is the close proximity  to clients and networking events.  In addition, our office is the central meeting point for all employees.  We have employees from Yspilanti, Ann Arbor, and Dexter.

gDt: What would you like to see happen downtown in the next 10 years?
In the next ten years, I’d like to see a mass transit plan implemented with connections from downtown to access outside the City Limits of  Ann Arbor.  Including transportation hooks to move people across the townships of Ann Arbor into the current bus routes of downtown Ann Arbor.  Increase bus access moving across town on the edges of city limits via bus services without going downtown through the bus depot i.e. North Campus Plymouth Road to Arborland.

Possibly, have the AATA and AAPS work together to provide adequate transportation services to middle and high school (not elementary school) students access to school via public transportation methods.  Finally, I’d like delivery
vehicles which idle in the downtown streets and alleys be electric or a form of non-petro fuel to further reduce pollution and carbon.

gDt: What is one thing the getDowntown Program could do to help your employees with getting to work by busing, biking, walking etc?
BV: The getDowntown May Commuter Challenge is a great motivator to get employees using different methods of transportation.  Usually habits are formed after the 30 days that create lasting effects.  Maybe add
another Commuter Challenge against another town similar in size.

gDt: Any advice or words of wisdom for new businesses moving into downtown Ann Arbor?
BV: Words of advice for new businesses moving into downtown A2 are to consider incentives for employees to commute.  New employees generally look to receive compensation for having to pay for their parking downtown.  The employer can offer an incentive to employees who commute to by providing them a stipend for curbing their car.   Employers can offer telecommuting on certain days of the week.

Here are the hints and tips we came up with.  Feel free to add your own in the comments section.

How Not to Be a Slave to Your Car

1. Get a decent commuter bike. Get fenders for your bike and chain guard so you can keep your pants clean.

2. Get all-weather gear. Prepare for the inevitable rain, snow and wind that are part of Michigan’s seasons.

3. Start biking when the weather is nice (like now).  Then gradually ease into cooler months.

4. Check out bicycle commuting websites like Commute by Bike.

5. Be willing to spend $200 on a nice gortex jacket and $200 on pants.  And $75 and booties, gloves etc.  These are all worth it to have a pleasant cool weather bike ride.  While the cost might seem like a lot, it doesn’t even compare with how much it costs for insurance for your car, gas, etc?

6. If things totally fall apart, you can put your bike on the bus.  Here’s a step by step picture guide to show you how.

7. If you think you’ll get sweaty on your bike ride, get a membership to the YMCA.  Then you can go to the YMCA and shower there.

8. Learn the bus system. Then, if your car breaks down, or you break a leg and can’t drive, you can still get where you need to go.  Need assistance?  email info@getdowntown.org.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for a ride.  Sharing rides/carpooling can be fun and relaxing.

10. Look at other ways to get where you want to go (e.g. taking the Amtrak or Megabus to get to Chicago instead of driving.)

11. If you are walking, try and find pleasant alternatives. Don’t want on the nasty streets that are depressing and busy.

12. Get a Zipcar Membership. That way, you can see if you really do need a car as much as you think you do.  And they’re good for running errands or going to meetings without paying to park downtown.

13. Read How to Live Well Without A Car.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?  Put them in the comments section below.

Makes sense that walking and biking would be the least emitting, but it is interesting to see how much capacity matters with the other modes.  The more you can pack people into a bus or railcar, the more environmentally sound it is.  It’s also interesting to see that the Prius is a pretty good option and would be even better if you decided to carpool in a Prius.

It would be interesting do to the same sort of graphic for cost or time, which people also think about when commuting or using a mode of transportation.

If I were to do the quick and dirty cost calculation, here’s what I would have for downtown Ann Arbor:

Most Expensive to Least Expensive Ways  Get to Work in Downtown A2 (note, car cost calculations based on this calc and a 20 mile commute)

• Car/SUV solo driver driving downtown (Around $950/ month or more with gas, parking, wear and tear, etc.)
• Car/SUV carpool driving downtown (There is preferential parking downtown at half price so around $870/month)
• Car/SUV driving to an AATA Park and Ride Lot without a go!pass (around $840/month)
• Car/SUV driving to an AATA Park and Ride Lot with a go!pass (around $800/month for gas, wear and tear, etc)
• Moped/Motorcycle driving downtown (not sure the other costs, but the parking would be free, I think it would fit here)
• Taking the bus to work without a go!pass ($40/month)
• Biking to work (about $5/month or more if you get a yearly tune-up, need to get tires, etc.
• Taking the bus to work with a go!pass ($0/month) or Walking to work ($0/month or more if you want nice shoes)

Week 3 of the Commuter Challenge is over and it was another great week!

The Numbers

So far, 142 Organizations and 1,930 participants have signed up for the Challenge.  This is by far the most we’ve ever had!  Of those participants, 1,557 have logged at least 1 sustainable commute.  Collectively, we’ve logged 168,728 miles and avoided 144,413 lbs of CO2!

The Winners

Here’s who’s winning the Challenge so far.  View updated stats here.

1 Person Orgs: Keystone Media and Gardener Communications are tied for first.  Garrett Scott is nipping at their heels and UM—Lee Lab is a close 4th.

2-9 Person Orgs: There’s been a bit of a shake up in this category with Mike Green and Associates pulling ahead of Ghostly International and Friends. The Greenway Collaborative and Center for Simplified Strategic Planning are tied for 3rd.

10-24 Person Orgs: This category has a lot of movement in the ranking.  Currently, Abor the Treeline is in the lead with UM-Volling Lab and ApplEcon close behind.

25-99 Person Orgs: Quinn Evans Architects is currently on top, but Menlo might find a way to edge them out.  The UM Center for the Child and the Family (which has won every year of the Challenge) is still trying to catch up and is now in 3rd place.

100-499 Person Orgs: While JSTOR has been the dominant force in this category, they are now others in contention!  Last year’s winners UM CoE-AOSS are now in first, newcomers Zingermans Delicatessan are in second, and JSTOR is now in 3rd.

So what will these Orgs win if they win the Challenge?  Click here to find out.

Prizes, We Got Your Prizes!

We’ve been giving out 4 prizes every day during the Commuter Challenge.  These week, we gave out prizes to people who logged a bus commute.  Next week, we’ll be giving out prizes to those who log a bike commute.  Check out who’s winning our prizes here.

We also have our Ambassadors out there as part of the Commuter Challenge Prize Patrol.  Maybe they’ll give you a prize.

Know someone who’s been a Super Commuter during the Commuter Challenge?  Why not nominate them for a Super Commuter Prize?

Awards

We’re giving out a bunch of great awards for the Commuter Challenge.  Check out all of the awards here.

You can also VOTE for who you think should win some of the Commuter Challenge Awards.

Looking Ahead

Next Week is Let’s Share Week. Click here to check out all of the Commuter Challenge events ]]> http://blog.getdowntown.org/2009/05/22/commuter-challenge-report-week-3/feed/ 0 http://blog.getdowntown.org/2009/05/22/guide-to-sharing-a-ride-and-zipcar-in-ann-arbor/ http://blog.getdowntown.org/2009/05/22/guide-to-sharing-a-ride-and-zipcar-in-ann-arbor/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 15:42:22 +0000 Nancy Shore http://blog.getdowntown.org/?p=1510 Whether you are looking for a carpool partner or want to learn more about Zipcar here’s an overview of your ridesharing and carsharing options.  This Guide is saved as a page on the getDowntown blog and will be updated from that page.  Click here to view the most recent version of this Guide.

What is . . .

• A Carpool? Carpools are groups of two or more people who commute together using a vehicle provided by a person within the group.  A carpool can consist of co-workers, neighbors, friends, spouses, family members, roommates, or someone you just met through a rideshare site. Carpooling doesn’t require a commitment of five days a week. It can be once a week, every other week, or whatever works with your schedule.  There are a number of different ways you can set up a carpool, from having someone pay for gas while the other drives, to meeting at a set location and driving one car to work.  More on carpooling can be found by clicking here.

• A Vanpool? Vanpools are groups of five to fifteen people who commute together using a vehicle provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (through MichiVan). The costs of commuting can be significantly reduced in vanpools due to the number of people sharing the rides.  For more on how vanpools are organized, click here.

• A Zipcar? Zipcars are “wheels when you want them”, literally.  Choose from a variety of self-service cars you can use by the hour or day. With Zipcars parked in downtown Ann Arbor (and on University of Michigan’s campus) all you’ll have to do is decide where you want to go and when. Click here for more details!
  

Finding a Carpool or Vanpool Partner

• MiRideshare: MiRidshare is a free and easy way for commuters working in Ann Arbor to find carpool and vanpool partners. This service is operated by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).  MiRideshare works.  getDowntown has received stories of people who find great carpool partners on mirideshare.org.  One great part of MIRideshare is that you can get a Guaranteed Ride Home if you have to work late unexpectedly or get sick.  Learn more about MiRideshare by clicking here.

• MichiVan: Live far away from work, work consistent hours and want to share a ride with others?  A vanpool may be for you.  Click here to learn more about vanpooling with MichiVan.
  
  
• CarBuddy: CarBuddy is a new carpool service where you might also be able to find a carpool partner.  getDowntown hasn’t used this service, so I don’t know how it is.
  

Carpooling, Vanpooling and Zipcar Resources

• Map of Carpool Parking Lot Locations from MDot.
• Get a preferential downtown parking space at half price or cheaper when you form a carpool! Click here for details.
  
• Park your Carpool and Take the Bus: Park and Ride Lot information.
• MiRideshare website
• Zipcar website for UM Students, Faculty and Staff.
  
• Carpools and Vanpools at UM
  
• University of Michigan’s Ridesharing Website for UM Faculty and Staff
  
• Share a Ride Section of the getDowntown website
  
• MichiVan website
• Vanpools at the UM: Vanpool FAQs from the Unversity of Michigan (Word Document) and Vanpool welcome Guide (PDF).
  
• Van Pools Blog
• Carpool, Vanpool and Carsharing information from the getDowntown blog.
• #zipcar on Twitter

Share a Ride Hints and Tips

• Pooling Pointers from Mirideshare.
• Get a Zipcar Membership: If you sometimes need a car and you work downtown or at the UM, consider a Zipcar.  Zipcars allow you to check out a car by the hour for when you need it.  That way, you can keep your car at home.
• 10 tips for Sucessful Carpooling from Commuterpage.com

During last year’s Commuter Challenge, Solveig got more comfortable using alternative transportation like biking and carpooling.  “After the commuter challenge ended,” Solveig says, “I continued biking to work throughout the summer and into the fall. (I stopped biking when it became too cold for me); but I continued car-pooling through the winter.”

This year, Solveig is “excited to try and improve on my biking commute times as well as trying some alternative biking routes that my co-workers have suggested to me.”

Want to meet your competition?

Want to pick up free buttons, posters, and other goodies?

Want to talk to the AATA, MichiVan, Wheels in Motion and getDowntown?

Want some free food?

Then stop by the Commuter Challenge Open House tonight, April 23rd, from 5:30-7:30pm at the Michigan League in the Michigan Room.  This is a casual event so stop by anytime from 5:30-7:30pm.  Hope to see you there!