Put Bicycle Commuting to Work For You

When I think about why more people should commute to work by bicycle , I think about how bicycling to work benefits me.

Sure, as the Department of Transportation’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator I think that it is good for me to bike to work. It sets a good example and helps me know my customers’ needs. But, bicycle commuting is not a new way of life for me.

For the past 20 years I have either bicycled or walked to work. I don’t make a big deal about it with those I know.

To me, bicycling is simply the fastest, most convenient and economical way to get to work. (Note that this is basically the same argument that Detroit has used to sell us autos for a century.)

Save time
Bicycle commuting is fast and convenient for me. My round trip is only six miles, and I get the best parking spot available -- even better than the one reserved for the Secretary of Transportation.

With about 10 different routes to choose from, I never encounter traffic congestion.

When my commute is combined with other stops, like shopping, I am in and out in a flash, since I can park near the store entrance. When I need to pick up items on the way home, I just attach another pannier (bicycle bag) to my bike’s rear rack.

I probably only average about 10 miles per hour, but that is still faster then if I was to drive, considering how far from the building I would have to park.

Save money
Bicycle commuting saves me money. The more I bike, the more I save. If you bicycle enough, you can give up your parking spot or one of your autos. This is when the real savings begin - as much as thousands of dollars a year! This is especially possible if you have access to a transit system or car pool for those inclement weather days.

Some people may be considering bicycle commuting because of budget reasons or growing families. One of my colleagues discovered this about 5 years ago when his children returned home from college for the summer. They left him without a car because they needed them for their summer jobs. Since that day, he has become a year-round bicycle commuter.

Save yourself
One of the benefits of bicycle commuting that I am appreciating more lately are the health aspects. Let’s face it, most of us do not get enough exercise. I don’t.

Since the most effective means of regimenting physical activity is to incorporate it into daily activities, bicycle commuting serves a dual purpose for me: I get to work and get a workout.

Just 30 minutes of bicycling a day at a moderate levels of exertion helps a lot. After the ride into work, I feel alert at my desk and more productive. And riding home is often the only truly contemplative time I have to wind-down from the day’s activities.

Save the earth
When I bicycle, I do not produce harmful air emissions; I reduce the need for parking spots; and when enough people bicycle, we can actually reduce traffic congestion.

But I do keep this in perspective - when we commute by bicycle we do not actually improve the environment; we just do not make it any worse.

As humbling as this may be, bicycling is still one of the best transportation options and is especially valuable for short trips.

For sure, bicycle commuting is a big topic, and there are many tips I could share with you to make it easier. But I will save those for another article.

I realize that bicycle commuting is not for everyone, and I would not necessarily want it to be. Some people live too far away from work; or they are responsible for transporting children to and from day care and do not choose to do this by bicycle.

Yet I know there are many of you who can give bicycle commuting a try. If you need to justify buying yourself a new bike, go ahead, think of what you can save.

Tom Huber is the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s bicycle/pedestrian coordinator. He lives and works in Madison with his wife and two children.