ATLANTA -- You can beat the high cost of commuting, but it will take a change of habit. Consumer advisor Clark Howard is asking everyone to give their car a day off this week by finding another way to get to work. Clark says it not only saves on gas, but it can put extra money back into your pocket too.

Bob Knoll was just leaving for work, but he was already earning cash. How? By riding his bike.

"Found out they're giving me, paying me, 3 bucks a day. So 3 bucks a day to ride my bike is a pretty good deal," said Knoll.

Now, who would pay Bob to ride his bike? The Clean Air Campaign. It's called the Cash for Commuters Program and the idea is to get people to try mass transit, carpooling, or bicycling to help save the planet.

For 3 months, you can get $3 a day to switch from driving solo to something else. You can get as much as $180 all together, but it's not just what you make; it's what you save.

Bob is saving a ton getting to work on pedal power.

"I get unlimited gas mileage, and people who go by me, I think about that; they're getting 15 miles per gallon. I'm getting as long as I can pedal," said Knoll.

Drivers are catching on. Last month the number of applications for the Cash for Commuter Program tripled from the year before. Making 3 bucks a day instead of spending 4 bucks a gallon just makes sense!

Michelle Brazier is part of a different Clean Air Campaign program. She works from home once a week; they call it telecommuting. Michelle says she gets more done from home than at the office.

"I can start my day earlier. I can make my day last as long as I want to because I don't have to worry about traveling to and from work, and I can just feel like I get a lot more done working at home," said Brazier.

Michelle saves 20 percent on her monthly commute, but because she's enrolled in the program called Commuter Prizes, she can win prizes as well. Just last month, she won a $25 gift card.

“This week I’m giving you a challenge,” said Clark. “Give your car a day off work! If I can walk the five miles to work and back, you can find a way to put the parking break on your car for the day too! Cleaner air is one reward but if you're looking for even more rewards, check out the Clean Air Campaign on the web because there's nothing like getting paid for using less gasoline.”

www.cleanaircampaign.com