Let’s Go Smart is a community partnership led by Ozark Greenways, designed to encourage the people of Springfield, Missouri to make wiser transportation choices every day.

Whether it’s walking, biking, riding the bus, driving, or any other way of getting around, “going smart” means thinking ahead and deciding which option will make the most of our resources, health, environment, and quality of life.

Short errands and neighborhood outings might call for walking, or biking along the many trails and on-street bike routes available around town. For longer trips, it might make sense to take advantage of Springfield’s efficient and affordable bus routes, or to team up with family, friends, and co-workers for ride-sharing to work, shopping, or recreation. Combining trips and planning out the best routes will enhance the convenience and efficiency of any of these options.

Wherever and whenever we travel in and around town, going smart will save fuel (and money!), reduce emissions, increase beneficial exercise, and help make our community a cleaner, healthier, and more attractive place to live, work, and play.

It’s time to get started. Let’s Go Smart!

Smart Partners

These companies have been invaluable in launching the Let’s Go Smart™ initiative—including long hours, key insights, big ideas, and much-needed funding. Thanks to them and the dozens of individuals who have helped so far.

Experience Springfield at a more relaxed pace. Walking offers a way to get a little exercise and more fully engage with your environment.

Adding more walking to your routine can bring lifelong health benefits and help reduce emissions and traffic congestion. With enough people joining in, our city can become cleaner, more efficient, and more attractive, too.

Even when a trip requires a drive across town, you can plan your outing so that you park near two different stops and walk from one to the other. A little time walking can mean less time looking for parking spaces.

The next time you plan a short trip, consider walking. What could be simpler?

With bike routes available all over town, this sensible transportation option is having a big influence on how we move toward a cleaner, greener, healthier Springfield.

Aside from reducing traffic loads and parking problems for everyone, riding a bike can add fun and exercise to your everyday life. Around the neighborhood or on numerous greenway trails and on-street routes in and around the city, pedal power is a great way to get out and explore what our area has to offer.

Whether you commute to and from work, take care of a quick shopping trip, or take to the trails for a journey of discovery with the whole family, bicycling does bring us all a lot of benefits, from lowering overall emissions to increasing convenience for kids and grown-ups alike.

Best of all, it can still be just as much fun as you remember. So come on―let’s ride bikes!

Riding the bus has been an integral part of life for decades in cities all over the world, and for good reasons.

A bus is a fuel-efficient way to move people around―in fact, even a bus with as few as seven passengers is more efficient than the average single-passenger auto. Taking the bus also eliminates the problems of dealing with traffic and finding parking. Plus, while the driver does the driving, you can spend your time reading, writing, or just watching the world go by your window. It’s an inexpensive way to make it easy on yourself, and easier on the environment.

When you have somewhere to go, consider taking the easy way. Just hop on the bus!

Easy steps like combining errands, planning your route, and carpooling will help you save money, maximize your time, and reduce your vehicle’s environmental impact.

You don’t have to make big sacrifices in order to get big benefits from using resources more efficiently. When driving is your best transportation option, take a moment to consider the simple ways you can make it better. Rather than running out to a store every time you need something, make a list of several errands and map out the most efficient way to cover them all in one trip. Check with friends and family to see if you can take care of something for them while you’re out, or invite them along and share the ride.

If you commute to work or school, set up a carpool and take turns driving. Not only will you help save on fuel and reduce emissions, you can strengthen personal connections and enjoy your travel time more by having some company along.

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