This week’s show opens with the voices of commuters who participated in Bike to Work Day on May 17. They tell us why they bike, how they feel about biking in Ann Arbor, and what personal messages they have for the drivers they share the road with. Bike to Work Day is part the 2019 Commuter Challenge, which is sponsored by getDowntown, a program of TheRide that finds ways to encourage employers and employees who work in downtown Ann Arbor to explore different ways— like biking or walking or carpooling — of going about their daily commutes.

After the bikers say their piece, you’ll hear from Chris Simmons. He’s the program manager for getDowntown as well as the business services program manager for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. He joined host Bella Isaacs to talk about the Commuter Challenge, three reasons why you don’t need a car if you live or work downtown, his personal take on how certain data could be used to improve transportation infrastructure, and more.

Planning an alternative commute?

Join a cycling group 

Check out TheRide bus system, which serves the Ann Arbor area as well as Ypsilanti Township

Find a carpool

Use this downtown walking map