“That’s why smart commuting is so important. We only have one planet, and one life to live, so we need to make the most of it,” said Yorko, a spokeswoman for Mid-Michigan Environmental Council, or Mid-MEAC.

While the program continues year-round, events focused on smart commuting are emphasized in May, which also is National Bike Month.

Smart Commute offers bicycle commuting classes at MSU and Lansing Community College to help potential smart commuters learn the basics of bicycling.

Classes teach bike safety, proper biking gear and ways to properly maintain a bicycle.

Although it is too early to tell the attendance rate this year, the bicycle commuting classes have been growing in participation since they began four years ago, Yorko said.

“The first year we had about 80 to 100 people sign up for the classes, and last year we had more than 900 participants,” she said. “It’s really showing the programs increasing in popularity, and the demand is there for more bikeable communities.”

The Mid-MEAC Web site offers several ways to get involved with Smart Commute and offers things such as company challenges and a personal online record to log smart commuting miles.

Mike Unsworth, an MSU humanities librarian, said he chooses to commute on his bicycle six months out of the year.

“Saving on gas is important, along with maintaining a better environment and getting exercise,” Unsworth said.

“I made the decision to live within five miles of where I work so I would be able to have a short commute on my bicycle.”

Pete Beltinck, a no-preference sophomore, said he also chooses his bike over other forms of transportation on trips around East Lansing.

“I ride my bike to class and anywhere else within three or four miles,” Beltinck said.

“It’s good exercise, and I do it mostly to stay in shape, but it’s also nice not to have to pay for parking.”

While the winter months pose a challenge for Beltinck’s bike riding, he said he finds it easier and more enjoyable to navigate the campus traffic during the summer months.

“I do most of my riding when it’s warm, and then use the bus or my car in the winter,” he said.

Tim Potter, marketing and sales coordinator for MSU Bikes, has been an active bicyclist most of his life and said he has always enjoyed biking as a form of exercise and a way to save money on transportation.

“I don’t have to think about going to a health club to get a workout in when I am riding my bike – that’s my workout right there,” Potter said.

With numerous events happening in the area this summer, Yorko said it’s a good time to get involved, begin helping the planet and become a healthier person.

“When you are helping the environment and yourself at the same time, you just feel like you are having more fun living in your community,” she said.