As gas prices continue emptying wallets, New Hampshire residents are being asked to reduce the number of miles traveled on state roads as part of a “Commute Green” initiative.

The challenge? Eliminate 50,000 miles on New Hampshire roadways this week, thereby reducing the need for roughly 100 barrels of crude oil.

Organizers are enthusiastic about the annual Commute Green New Hampshire event, and are optimistic the endeavor will get people to rethink the way they travel to and from work and school.

Gov. John Lynch and Dr. Susan Lynch are expected to kick off the week by bicycling to work this morning.

“Gas prices are through the roof right now, but for me, it doesn't really make a difference,” said John Pelletier of Dover, who chooses not to own a car. “Being without a car means that I don't have to worry about insurance, car repairs or gas prices. It saves me a lot of money.”

Pelletier admits he is not the norm, but says commuting with his all-weather bicycle is part of his daily routine. The 24-year-old commutes two-and-a-half miles to the Downeaster train station in downtown Dover before taking the train into Massachusetts for his job in Cambridge.

He even shops for groceries with his bike, and can carry up to 50 pounds on his rear bike rack. “It saves me from paying for a gym membership, and I'm less sick because of all the exercise and fresh air,” said Pelletier.

The Commute Green New Hampshire project is encouraging people throughout the state to follow responsible commuting habits like Pelletier's, and is challenging residents to carpool, walk, bike or take the bus for one week.

Hundreds of bicycle commuters of all abilities are expected to take to the streets from May 16-20 as part of the program, which coincides with the 55th annual National Bike/Walk to Work Day on May 20. Last year, about 2,000 people participated in the effort to reduce the miles traveled on state roads.

“By reducing 50,000 miles of driving during that one week, commuters could save around $10,000 in gasoline costs. In these challenging economic times, that just makes sense,” said Nicholas Coates, regional planner with the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission.

By decreasing the number of cars on the road, it helps preserve the life of existing roadways, reduces harmful pollutants in the air and keeps New Hampshire's landscape beautiful, according to Coates.

He is hopeful that hardcore bicyclists throughout the state will take advantage of the challenge and register. Coates is also counting on businesses, organizations and schools throughout New Hampshire to develop teams that can help make a difference and motivate each other to commute green.

“The big picture is to get people thinking about this, and to grab a bike and a helmet rather than their car keys,” said Coates, though he admitted that is not as easy as it sounds. People still love their cars and are creatures of habit, he said. But for at least one week, he is asking people to adjust those habits for the good of the environment.

Participants can log their miles on the new Commute Green New Hampshire website; individual and team registration began weeks ago and is ongoing. After the final results are tallied, top achievers in a variety of categories will be recognized with certificates and giveaways from shops and restaurants throughout the state.

Polluting less

According to data provided by Commute Green New Hampshire, one car emits about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon of gasoline it uses, but residents can reduce the equivalent of taking about two cars a year off the road by carpooling, biking, walking or using public transportation three days a week.

Beth Potier of Durham is an avid cyclist and commutes to work at the University of New Hampshire daily. For several years, she has spearheaded the Bike to Work Day at UNH, and even convinced her husband in May 2008 to abandon their cars for an entire month.

“I am a big believer in bicycling as a great way to commute. It may not be for everyone, but if you try it at least once, you may think twice about driving as often,” she said.

It is important to get people thinking about viable commuting alternatives, according to Potier, who said she was able to get about 70 participants from the university to participate last year. In addition, the university team won the commuter challenge for the seacoast area in 2010, she said.

Paula Bedard, of Goffstown, rode her bike into Manchester for her job at Autodesk for about six years. Now, the laid-off worker is using her free time to help educate New Hampshire residents about the benefits of commuting by bike.

“I'm really trying to get the word out there that bike commuting can be an option, and it can make an impact globally. For me, it was a really big bang for my buck,” said Bedard, who offers a Bike Commuting 101 course for area businesses and organizations.

According to statistics from Bikes Belong, Active Transportation in America, the average commuting American each year wastes the equivalent of a full work week stuck in traffic — at a cost of $710 spent on gas.

“I just paid $3.72 a gallon this morning to fill up my tank,” Marie Mills of Laconia said recently. “That is a lot of money to spend on gasoline.”

Mills, who travels from Laconia to Concord for her daily commute, has been an avid carpooler for more than 30 years. When she first started a carpool system 32 years ago, she said there were typically three or four coworkers participating .

However, Mills said she now has just one other person carpooling with her, but stressed that is still eliminating many miles of travel on her 2004 Toyota Camry each week.

“It is mostly about economics, but I also enjoy the ride and being able to talk to someone during the 27-mile commute,” she said.

Sandy Silva, of Nashua, shares one car with her husband, and believes it is the right thing to do for the environment and their health. The couple walks, bikes, runs and takes the bus to work and run errands.

“Sure, you have to make some compromises, but it is a situation that works for us,” said Silva, 46, who lives near the downtown area. “But it is all of those little things that can really add up and make a difference, even if someone can just leave their car at home once a week.”

To learn more about the Commute Green New Hampshire initiative, visit www.commutegreennh.org, or www.facebook.com/CommuteGreen.