Sure, it’s been a hot summer so far, but the weather forecasters assure us that pleasant temperatures and lower humidity will greet us in the days ahead. It seems like it might be the perfect time to lace up the walking shoes or tune up the bike, and try a self-powered commute to work.

But if beautiful weather isn’t enough to get you out from behind the wheel, the folks at the Program for Alternative Transportation and Health (PATH) will provide some extra incentive to use feet instead of fuel with this month’s edition of Fossil Free Friday on July 30th. The event, to be held in front of the State House in Concord from 7:00 – 9:00AM, will feature food, drinks, music, and fun while promoting alternatives to the single-occupancy vehicle for the commute.

PATH, a program of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission, seeks to encourage all alternative forms of transportation. Through walking, biking, carpooling, and taking public transit, the citizens of Central New Hampshire can reduce pressure on their transportation infrastructure, improve air quality, and live healthier and more active lives. The once-a-month Friday events are just one way PATH is getting more people to regularly think about changing their commuting methods.

According to PATH’s Craig Tufts, Fossil Free Fridays are a year-long expansion of the group’s annual Green Commute Week, held each May. Just a few months old, the event has seen 20-30 folks register as alternative commuters, with up to 100 people attending the festivities. With Concord quickly becoming a leader amongst NH communities in encouraging greener and healthier transportation methods, it’s anticipated that this number will continue to grow.

Besides the environmental and health impacts, one other benefit to seeking alternative transportation Tufts is quick to point out: “It’s fun!” Conversations with fellow carpoolers, the fresh air of a morning walk, or the adrenaline rush of an afternoon bike ride all could make that lonely, traffic-jam prone traditional commute seem like the drag it is. Even without the added bonus of snacks, drinks, and music at the end.

Fossil Free Fridays take place the last Friday of every month. For more information on this and other ways PATH is changing the way Central New Hampshire residents travel, see the PATH website.