A brisk walk or bicycle ride to work is invigorating; public transit commutes can be stress-free and amusing. For many, it doesn't take much convincing that getting to work in an alternative way is better for the self and for the environment.

But the deal becomes even sweeter when there's a tangible incentive to commute alternatively. That's the motivation behind NuRide, a site that rewards commuters with coupons, gift cards and more for walking or biking to work, taking the bus or rail, ride sharing or even telecommuting.

"Anyone who takes a greener transportation option can sign up," explained Jackie Lambert, business development coordinator for the Houston Downtown Management District. That organization paired up with NuRide and Macy's for the program, which launched this week.

It takes only a few moments to create a free NuRide account, and commuters can immediately begin tracking and tallying trips, arranging carpools and ride shares, through the easy-to-use site.

One way trips count for 100 points, round-trip excursions for 200. Rewards start for as little as 500 points, and something like a ticket to a downtown theater performance can be redeemed for 3,500 points.

For the first three months of the initiative, participants who work in downtown Houston will be entered in a drawing for $250 Macy's gift certificates and for $200 in Macy's Money. Lambert told CultureMap that the Downtown Management District is working to garner greater participation from local retailers.

On top of that, the Houston-Galveston Area Council has deemed August "Commute Solutions Month," and the organization will be posting up at transit centers throughout the area, encouraging single-car commuters to try out alternative transportation — if only just once — and conducting outreach events to thank regular riders.

(Hint: Hang out near the METRO Texas Medical Center Transit Center for breakfast tacos on the morning of Aug. 29, or around Greenway Plaza between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sept. 13 for food, music and information on ride sharing.)

Nicholas Williams, senior air quality/commute solutions planner for the H-GAC, recommends that commuters and employers look to the organization's Commute Solutions website as a resource for other alternative transit options.

"We want to get people out of their cars," Williams said.