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Got a Bike? Commute another way the last Friday of each month. Portland Green Streets has started an initiative to have people use alternative forms of commuting and is encouraging local businesses to help spread the word by offering items for raffle, discounts and freebies. Each time you participate you can send Portland Green Streets your pics and stories of what you did to share in the celebration.

Many local businesses offer some really good incentives. Long Fellow books offers 25% off all used books, Portland Dog Wash offers $2 off a self-serve wash as well as a free Greenie dog treat, the Maine Audubon offers 1/2 off a membership, 20% off a Nature Store Purchase for members, a “green gift” and a free-return ticket if you travel by bus, many area businesses offer free coffee or teas, and you can even get a free coloring book at the St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center.

The website encourages people to use the easy and fast sign up sheet each time they participate in Green Streets Day. Then you simply wear something with the color green, and take off on your alternate means of transportation for the day. Alternate transportation can be the bus, car sharing, biking, etc. The website offers many helpful hints in how to start a car share, bike commuting check list and events around town.

The group encourages involvement from the community by signing up to be a coordinator in your area or workplace, as well as your business offering incentives to participants. The funding provided for the group is mainly from grants and donations. Many other non-monetary gifts are given in the form of time and supplies.

More information can be found at www.portlandgreenstreets.org