• One Smart Commuter uses the river to kayak to work

UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The annual Smart Commute Challenge began in June. It is a month long program where people can log their Smart Commutes to win prizes.

"One point is one round trip Smart Commute, so if you would ride your bike to work or the grocery store and ride back home, that would be one," explains AmeriCorps member Alexis Ringman.

According to a recent Gallup poll, the average round trip commute time for a worker is forty-six minutes. 85% of people drive themselves, 6% carpool and only 3% walk.

While walking, biking and bus riding are the most common forms of Smart Commutes, Ringman shares a more creative approach.

"One of our Smart Commuters kayaks to work, which is something people just don't even think of. If someone can't fathom biking to work, imagine paddling to work in a kayak down the river. It's a really great resource that we have running thru that you don't even think of as a transit."

Kayaking to work may not be an option for all of us but biking may be. Smart Commute participant and bike enthusiast Rick Brown shares some safe biking tips with us on Meridian Magazine.

Smart Commute Challenge is an international concept that has been around for over a decade. This year in the Meridian Township, we have seen the largest number of participants yet.

The program began June 10th and will end June 23rd.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - What if you and your co-workers traded in your cars for bicycles? Or took the bus instead?