Exciting Green Commute Week in 2025! 

By: Sean Monroe, Environmental Planning Intern at the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council 

Green Commute Week is right around the corner, September 7–13, and we’re gearing up for a week of exciting events! Green Commute Week is all about supporting and promoting environmentally friendly forms of transportation, such as biking, walking, running, carpooling, public transit, and any other alternatives to driving alone in a personal vehicle. 

Our community has made active transportation a priority when expanding and reinventing its built environment. From bike lanes and new side paths to enhanced crosswalk safety measures and even our famous snowmelt system, Holland is committed to making green commuting safer and more accessible. While these features may seem like a luxury to some, they are a necessity for many. Marginalized communities, in particular, rely more heavily on sidewalks, side paths, and public transit, and by investing in these systems, we help ensure everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. 

Not only does using green transportation benefit the environment, but it also fosters deeper connections within the community. Taking a bike to the beach or walking downtown might take longer than driving, but it allows you to experience the city on a more personal level. Whether it’s a warm hello from a passing neighbor or the sweet smell drifting from deBoer’s Bakkerij, these are moments you miss when inside a car. Supporting active transportation is a simple but powerful way to nurture a more connected and resilient community. 

This year, Green Commute Week runs in conjunction with Holland Sustainability Week, which means even more exciting events and opportunities to get involved! We’ve planned activities for all ages throughout the week. We’ll kick things off with a Leadership Bike Ride, where community leaders, including Mayor Bocks, will ride through the city of Holland. Other events include an Environmental Trivia Night at the Tulyp Hotel and a Green Energy Concert at Kollen Park to close out the week. 

Participants will also have the chance to win prizes! Gift cards from places like Russ’, Knot Spot, Meijer Gardens, and John Ball Zoo are up for grabs. Just log your green commute and complete a quick survey on our website to be entered into the raffle. Last year, we had 80 participants and logged over 3,800 green miles, preventing approximately 3,110 pounds of CO₂ emissions, an incredible achievement for one week! 

Green commuting is a simple yet impactful way to support the local environment. Personal vehicles are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), which contributes to global warming. Vehicle exhaust also releases nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that degrade air quality and can lead to respiratory issues. Additionally, car tires release microplastics, and vehicle fluids like oil and antifreeze often wash into local watersheds during rainfall. 

In contrast, biking, walking, and using public transit significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if everyone in the U.S. replaced just one car trip per day with biking or walking, it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tons annually. Green commuting also reduces traffic congestion and the need for sprawling parking infrastructure, preserving more green space and improving urban livability. 

Even commuting green a few days a week makes a difference. Every small action adds up and together, they create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable community. 

For more information, visit the full calendar of events.