Bike, Bus, Walk to Work Week starts Monday

Ozark Greenways is challenging local professionals to use alternative modes of transportation at least one day next week.

The 12th annual Bike, Bus, Walk to Work Week runs May 11-15. Participants are challenged to park their cars and use bikes, public buses, walking trails, telecommuting or carpooling - or a combination - to get to work. The goal is to highlight alternative transportation options, including greenway trails, on-street bike routes or buses, and to support future expansion of such choices.

"We need to develop our community in a way that actually makes it comfortable or even feasible to walk or bike somewhere," said Lori Tack, Ozarks Greenways program coordinator, in a news release. "We're so focused on accommodating cars that we're doing ourselves a huge misfortune by not giving bicycling infrastructure the focus it needs. Money can always be an excuse, but ultimately it takes the commitment of the public to voice their support and local leaders to take action."

Among the highlights of the week:

• Panera Bread will give a bagel and coffee to registered individuals who participate at least one day that week;

• City Utilities will give free city bus rides all week for those traveling with a bike; and

• YMCA and CoxHealth Fitness Centers will allow free use of showers and towels to participants.

Participants can register through workplaces or schools at the link below. Help with route planning is available by calling (417) 864-2015.