GetAbout Columbia is asking people to rethink the way they get to and from work.

September has been designated Way To Go To Work month, and GetAbout Columbia is hosting activities to encourage commuters to bicycle or walk to their workplace.

The month will feature guided on-road bicycle rides and walks to downtown Columbia and the University of Missouri campus on Fridays and brown-bag-lunch discussions at the GetAbout Columbia office on Wednesdays.

Janet Godon, outreach coordinator for the PedNet Coalition, said GetAbout Columbia and the PedNet Coalition have had success with spring and summer activities so they decided to expand the idea to the fall.

"We just figured that September is the perfect time because the weather is starting to cool down, kids are back in school and people are getting back into their routines," Godon said. "It’s open to everyone, and we’d love to see everyone take part, whether their goal is to walk or bike one time during the month or every day."

Participants can fill out Way To Go! reminder cards that help them track their personal goals. The completed cards can be redeemed for a prize and will serve as entry into a drawing scheduled for Oct. 21. Completed reminder cards are due by Oct. 17.

Ian Thomas, executive director of the PedNet Coalition, said Way To Go To Work month is aimed at getting local employers to get involved.

"It kind of fills a niche in PedNet’s programming that we haven’t really covered before - that’s promoting walking and biking through the business community and employment sector," he said. "We’re very optimistic that it’s going to make a huge difference in the number of people commuting to work by biking or walking. We’re hoping that there will be a lasting effect, whereby people will continue to do this after the program is over and we will be providing support and education programs and information to help people do that."

Diana Moxon, executive director of the Columbia Art League, said she thinks Way To Go To Work will serve as motivation for people to ditch their cars, at least a couple of times.

Moxon said she commutes by bike regularly during the summer and - weather permitting - plans to bicycle a couple of times per week this month.

She said biking not only is healthy and environmentally friendly, but it also can be therapeutic, especially at the end of a long day. "I like the cycle home," Moxon said. "It helps distance me from work, and I feel much brighter when I get home than if I had traveled by car."

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