West Michigan Gears Up for Active Commute Week 2024: A Celebration of Sustainable Transportation

August 28, 2024, Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Rapid’s West Michigan Rides and the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) are excited to announce the return of Active Commute Week (ACW), taking place September 9 through 13. This week-long event aims to promote positive changes in individual commuting habits within Kent, Allegan, and Ottawa counties.

Through friendly competition, commuters are encouraged to embrace greener methods of transportation, such as taking the bus, walking, running, carpooling, and cycling to improve the environment and support a healthy lifestyle. By choosing to walk, roll, or ride, participants can contribute to a more vibrant and connected community while earning rewards for their green trips.

“We’re especially excited for Active Commute Week this year with the launch of the new West Michigan Rides (WMR) app, which makes tracking your eco-friendly trips and earning rewards easier than ever! We hope this week inspires everyone to reflect on their individual commuting habits and consider the small, positive changes that can have a significant impact,” said Cassi Cooper, Digital Media Specialist for The Rapid.

How to Participate in ACW: Participants can visit my.wmrides.org, or download the West Michigan Rides app, to set up a free account with an option to join a team or register as an individual. From September 9 through 13, commuters can log all green trips throughout the week to compete for prizes while tracking the environmental impact and cost savings of using sustainable transportation options.

Event Highlights: Active Commute Week 2024 features several key events designed to engage and inspire the West Michigan community:

• Active Commute Week Photo Challenge, September 9 – 13: Snap a photo of yourself at a Rapid bus shelter, bus stop, or on a Rapid vehicle. Post the photo to Facebook, tag “The Rapid,” and use the hashtag #ACW2024. Daily winners will be announced on Facebook, and each will receive an Active Commute Week prize pack, including a bike bag, repair kit, water bottle, safety gear, and an Active Commute Week t-shirt. Winners can collect their prizes at the Founders party on September 13 or arrange for pickup with The Rapid’s staff.
• Sustainable Transportation Webinar, Tuesday, September 10, at 10 am: Dive into the benefits and challenges of sustainable commuting with experts who are leading the way in transportation innovation.
• Community Bike Ride, Thursday, September 12, at 6:30 pm: Join fellow cyclists for a community bike ride that celebrates the joy and simplicity of biking as a sustainable mode of transportation.
• Active Commute Week Celebration at Founders Brewing, Friday, September 13, from 4 to 7 pm: End the week with a special wrap-up party at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. This event will feature free food, free drinks, and the announcement of our Active Commute Week award winners. Prizes will be given out, and everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend!

For more information about Active Commute Week, including registration and event details, please visit the webpage here.

About The Rapid: The Interurban Transit Partnership was formed in 2000 to operate a public transportation system they named The Rapid to provide services for the Grand Rapids metro area and beyond. It is organized and operates under Michigan Public Act 196 of 1986 with a 15-member board of directors representing the six municipalities in the service area. Beyond its fixed routes, The Rapid also operates demand response services for people with disabilities, and for those living outside the fixed-route service area, bike and carpooling programs.

About Michigan Sustainable Business Forum: Michigan Sustainable Business Forum promotes business practices that advance climate leadership, social justice, and the creation of a circular economy. It is Michigan’s leading organization for beyond-compliance sustainability, with a community of practice featuring our region’s most recognizable brands, largest employers, and most innovative entrepreneurs, advocates, and educators. It formerly did business in Southwest Michigan as Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum.

Media Contact Information:

Torri Mathes
MiSBF Communications Manager
248-413-7517
tmathes@misbf.org

Cassi Cooper
The Rapid Digital Media Specialist
616-774-1185
ccooper@ridetherapid.org