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.

The AATA has a couple of service alerts out because of the snow.  If you want to get these send directly to your email inbox, subscribe to MyRide.  Many AATA buses are running about 10 minutes behind.

To check on the status of your bus, you can go to AATA’s Routes and Schedules page and select a route, or you can go to the Mobile RideTrak, which works better for mobile devices.

Here are the alerts that most impact downtown Ann Arbor Commuters:

• Route 17: Due to road conditions, Route 17 cannot serve Fifth Ave from Beakes to Depot via the Blake Transit Center.
• Route 13: Due to road conditions, there is no service north of Sunset.
• Route 14: Due to road conditions, Route 14 cannot serve Overridge.

Keep in mind that all AATA buses are still running, despite the bad weather.

Some benefits for choosing to ride the bus instead of driving your car on days like this:

• If you take the bus, you don’t have to shovel your car out and deal with residential streets.
• If you take the bus, you don’t have to warm your car up.   AATA buses are heated already.
• Buses are a lot bigger than small cars, which can feel comforting on a snowy day when your car might not handle as well.
• You don’t have to stress out about driving in the snow–leave the driving to an experienced bus driver.
• You can enjoy the snow rather than cursing it.
• Rides are free on all AATA buses with your go!pass.

Some great new services for downtown employees and employers from getDowntown:

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.

Bonnie Valentine loves the getDowntown Program!

I’ve decided to share my passion for public transportation in hopes of encouraging you to curb your car. It was through the getDowntown Program that I’ve reduced our household to only one vehicle by using public transportation. The benefits are too many to list. Therefore, I’ve narrowed it down to my top ten list.

For those of you who know me I love to create my own lyrics to popular tunes, but this proved to be extremely difficult for me to communicate my lyrics via the Blog posting. However, if you get the opportunity to sit next to me on the bus I’d gladly hum a few bars. Without further ado, drum roll please:

When it comes to encouraging people to bike, bus, walk or carpool, no one sets a better example than your boss.  That’s why the getDowntown Program is taking a moment to highlight some downtown business managers who demonstrate a commitment to using sustainable transportation and encourage their employees to do the same.  These interviews provide insight into why these leaders use sustainable transportation, how it benefits their employees and much more.

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.

Come one, come all, it’s the Fall Commuting Fair at Kerrytown Shops

When: Thurs. October 22nd, 3-5pm

What:

–Free bike tune ups to go!pass holders (compliments of Wheels in Motion)
–Free apples and cider
–Check out a Zipcar
–Other fun stuff!

Stop by and say hi!  We’ll be over by the Sweetwaters entrance.  Inside if the weather is rainy.

The bottom line: If you have a go!pass, you can now get $5 off any fall ‘09 session class at the Ann Arbor School of Yoga.  Read on for details, or just go and get your discount!

When it comes to exercise, I can be a little lazy.  You see, I used to take a yoga class on Packard.  It would take me about 15 minutes to bike to that class after work and then 25 minutes to get home after the class.   This trek got a little less pleasant as fall became winter and I was biking in the snow.

Then I discovered the Ann Arbor School of Yoga, located on Huron Street right across from the Ann Arbor YMCA.

Now I can easily  bike to my Yoga class after work and then get home in less that 10 minutes.

If you work downtown and are time conscious like me, but also want to do something great for your body, I highly recommend checking out the Ann Arbor School of Yoga (AASY).

To help sweeten the deal, AASY Instructor Laurie Blakeney is offering all current go!pass holders $5 off any fall session class. Just tell her you have a go!pass for the discount.

This fall, Laurie is offering a variety of classes from early morning, to lunch time, to evening.  Click here for the schedule.

If you want to check out a free class, come to an Open House either Wednesday, Sept 9th or Thursday Sept 10th from 5:30-7:30pm.

What motivates you to change your habits?  Carrots or sticks?

If I gave you $1,000 would you give up fried foods forever?  If fried foods were exceedingly expensive, would less people consume them?

Interesting questions.  And the types of questions I have to deal with everyday as I try to encourage people to change their commuting behavior.

I’ve been conducting a commuting audit for a local organization.  Currently, this organization offers free parking passes for all of their employees.  As a result, all of these employees park downtown.

Given the economic times, this organization is looking at ways to cut costs, and providing $130/month for each employee for a parking space is starting to look like a lot of money.

So that’s where I come in.  I’ve been chatting with each staff member and asking them what other options might work for them.  Pretty much every staff member knows what his/her options are, from using the Park & Ride Lots to biking to work to carpooling to telecommuting.  And it’s clear to me that if this organization stopped paying for parking, many of the staff would use one of those other options rather than pay for parking themselves.

Here is a case where a stick would work to change behavior.  We saw the same thing with gas prices.   No one likes to lose something, especially when it feels like a pay-cut.  And for some staff it is just easier to park at a park and ride everyday and take the bus to work than others.  If that’s the case, should everyone get the same stick, or only some people?

At the same time, the getDowntown Program offers lots of carrots to try to get people to change their commuting behavior.  We have a huge carrot known as the go!pass, that gives employees unlimited rides on the buses, including to park and ride lots in addition to other incentives.   But those carrots only work if there isn’t also a chocolate cupcake (such as employer paid parking) on the plate.  In addition, our carrots are only as effective as the bus service, or the bike lanes.  If the buses don’t run frequently enough or the bike lanes are poorly maintained, our carrot becomes less and less appealing.

The reason I am troubled by all of this is that people see sticks as bad.  Our society sees restrictions as bad.  We are all about freedom of choice.  I think that’s why carrots are so appealing.  But my carrot will only work if there isn’t a better incentive out there.

It would be interesting to see if I could offer an incentive big enough to get people who have free parking to use the bus or bike instead.  Maybe that carrot has to come from the person themselves.

I do see this happen sometimes.  Sometimes someone is so health conscious, they’d rather bike to work than drive.  Sometimes the cost of having a car is enough of a disincentive that the go!pass can be a better carrot.  And sometimes, perhaps, people just don’t want to deal with parking downtown, even if it is free, so the other options are more appealing.

For the most part, I’ll continue to try to offer my carrots.  And when the sticks come, I only hope that after the pain wears off that there is some openness to what I have to offer.

Do you have a go!pass?  Then you might want to check out the new stuff you can use it for:

• Discount on Nightride: If you live in Ann Arbor, it’ll now cost you $1 to use Night Ride to get home from work. Just show your go!pass for the discount.
• 50% Discount on A2Express Services from Chelsea and Canton: With your go!pass, you get 50% off the cost of a monthly bus pass on A2Express Commuter Bus services from Chelsea and Canton (staring Aug 24).  Learn more about A2Express by clicking here. Contact the getDowntown Program to purchases A2Express passes.

And don’t forget the go!pass still gets you unlimited rides on all AATA buses (including from Park and Ride Lots) and discounts to tons of downtown stores!  Click here to check out the go!pass discounts.

Do you live in the Chelsea or Canton area?

Would you like to be able to save money and end the hassle of driving your car to work downtown?

Then you might be interested in A2Express, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority’s Commuter Bus Service from Chelsea and Canton.

Best of all, because of a grant from the Ann Arbor DDA, your go!pass gets you 50% off the cost of fare on either A2Express Service!  That’s just $62.50 a month.

Learn more about the A2Express service by visiting www.a2express.org or by attending a special A2Express Open House on August 13th at the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce Offices (115 W. Huron, 3rd Floor).   Drop by anytime from 8-9am, 12-1pm, or 4:30-5:30pm on August 13th to learn more about A2Express and the new go!pass discount.

To download a flyer about the A2Express Open House, please click here.