32nd Annual Smart Commute Week

Smart Commute Week is an annual celebration held during the first full week of June. The purpose of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative forms of transportation and to educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute.

Join us for events promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus and carpooling. Free daily breakfasts are hosted at various locations around town for smart commuters. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Commuter Cup Challenge. The Challenge is open to ALL and totally FREE to participate.

Commuter Cup Challenge

The Challenge is a fun and friendly competition among local smart commuters during Smart Commute Week every year. It is open to the public and totally free to participate. Here’s how it works:

1.) Form a Team. Rally your family, friends, classmates, and co-workers…or compete solo. There are no team size restrictions or age restrictions. Experts and beginner are encouraged to join in the fun. Any individual who might normally drive a single passenger vehicle to and from their destination but instead uses an alternative form of transportation (walk, bike, paddle, bus, carpool) is qualified to participate.

• Team size must remain the same throughout the week!
• Team sizes: individual (1 person), small team (2-10 people), medium team (11-29 people) or large team (30+ people)

2.) Assign a Team Captain. Team captains will register their team online, keep track of team points and log scores online daily.  

3.) Get Points. Smart Commute each day – ride your bike, walk, take the bus, carpool each day for a point. Go to daily breakfasts and other sponsored activities to rack up bonus points.

• Team Captains must record the total number of team smart commutes and bonus points ONLINE daily
• All points must be recorded online by 9 pm on THURSDAY, JUNE 4 to be counted

4.) Attend the Awards Ceremony. Grand prizes will be awarded on Friday, June 5 during the final Smart Commute Week breakfast at Oryana (must be present to claim prizes).

View the Team Captain Instructions here!

Breakfast Locations
All breakfasts are served between 7:00 – 9:00AM

• Monday, June 1: North Peak Brewing Company | 400 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
• Monday, June 1: Delamar Traverse City | 615 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
  
• Tuesday, June 2: Bubba’s | 428 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
• Tuesday, June 2 Brick Wheels | 436 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
  
• Wednesday, June 3: BATA Transfer Station | 115 Hall St, Traverse City, MI 49684
• Wednesday, June 3: The Kitchen | 1249 Woodmere Avenue B, Traverse City, MI 49684
  
• Thursday, June 4: Grand Traverse Pavilions | 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City, MI 49684
• Thursday, June 4: Brady’s Bar | 401 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
  
• Friday, June 5: Oryana, award ceremony! | 260 E Tenth St, Traverse City, MI 49684

Bonus Point Events

• Saturday, May 30: Recycle-A-Bicycle Bike Sale | 10:00AM-1:00PM
• Sunday, May 31: Little Fleet to Farm Club Happy Hour Ride | 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Say you’re a Smart Commuter, snag a free drink at both locations)
• Monday, June 1: Yen Yoga Community Class | 7:00AM
• Monday, June 1: Traverse City Track Club’s Fun Run or Walk | 6:30PM at Loco Boys Brewing Co.
• Tuesday, June 2: Dharamsala TC FREE Smart Commute Week Yoga | Downtown Location 4:30PM
• Wednesday, June 3: Norte’s Slow Roll | 6:00PM Oryana 10th Street to Little Fleet
• Wednesday, June 3: BATA’s Try Transit Free Day | All Day!
• Wednesday, June 3: Traverse City Farmers Market | 8:00AM-12:00PM
• Wednesday, June 3: The Big Run presented by Fleet Feet | 5:45PM at Hull Park
• Thursday, June 4: TC Whiskey Co. Smart Commute Week Happy Hour | 4:00PM-6:00PM
• Thursday, June 4: Accessible Bike Display at Traverse Area District Library | 5:30PM at the Woodmere Ave Branch, followed by “Motherload” screening
• Thursday, June 4: “Motherload” Film Showing at the Traverse Area District Library | 6:30PM at the Woodmere Ave Branch (*Accessible Bike Display & “Motherload” screening counts as 1 point)

THANK YOU 2026 SMART COMMUTE WEEK EVENT SPONSORS!

We are proud to present a zero-waste event thanks to the generous support of Bay Area Recycling for Community!

If you’d like to sponsor the 2026 event, please contact Janna Goethel at ja***@************ls.org.

Event Photography: Photos may be taken by TART Trails during this event to be shared across our communications channels. If you would not like your photo taken, please let us know.