All of Traverse City s neighborhoods have established systems to help elderly or physically challenged individuals clear their sidewalks of snow. Also, traffic regulations requiring cars to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks are vigorously enforced. For bicycle safety, the Cherry Capitol Cycling Club, which is a privately established group, offers safety tips and general recommendations to the public. The club also offers educational programs for motorists on sharing the road legally and safely with bicyclists. Some companies in Traverse City also offer incentives to their employees for walking and bicycling to work, and the community sponsors a bike week once a year.
Many schools also offer after-school athletic programs, beginning in the elementary schools.
One of our largest employers, Munson Hospital, is adding on to its parking deck and it is entirely closed down, creating a very tight parking situation, Soyring said. They started giving out daily prizes for people who carpool, walk or bike to work. Some of the prizes are tickets to Red Wings hockey games, a mountain bike, and the use of a car for a year. I went by there the other day and there were probably 30 bicycles parked outside. The Governor s Council is committed to helping all Michigan citizens become more active.