|
If you work in Washington County, the Westside Transportation Alliance will provide programs at your workplace to help you bike commute. Ask your transportation coordinator to call us. 503.906.7961or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
When does commuting become really fun? When you get on your bike! 
Bike commuting can be the best way to zip through traffic and arrive before your co-workers. They're stuck in traffic or searching for a parking place.
Three to five miles is the average bike commute, but some folks pedal even more. It’s addictive!
The most efficient vehicle know to man (and woman) is a bicycle. On 350 calories—one apple tart or a small slice of pizza—a cyclist can travel 10 miles, a pedestrian 3.5 miles, and an automobile 100 feet.
- Why join a health club when you can burn off that apple tart during your commute to work?
- Bicycle commuters arrive at work refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of the day.
- Oh, but you might arrive a bit sweaty. That’s not a problem! A quick cat-bath with a washcloth is a fine solution. And many companies have showers for employees; just ask.
Consider the money you’ll save riding a bike to work compared to the conservative estimate of owning and operating a rather dumpy car at $5677 per year:
- $300 or so for a good commuter bike (or perhaps you already have a dusty bike in the garage)
- $60 for a major tune-up once a year
- About $300 for packs, lights and rain gear
- No gas, just breakfast
Use this calculator from Seattle to get a fairly close comparison of driving costs.
return to top »
Too far to bike to work?
- Put your bike on a TriMet bus, C-tran bus or MAX and relax. There’s no extra charge or permit required to take your bike.
- The racks on the buses are easy to figure out. And some bike shops have a rack to use for practice.
www.trimet.org/guide/bikesonbus.htm
- Look for the bike logos on the doors of the MAX cars. Then roll on board. You’ll find racks to hold your bike vertically.
www.trimet.org/guide/bikesonmax.htm
- Pick up bus and MAX schedules at grocery stores, libraries, Pioneer Courthouse Square and on-line.
- www.trimet.org
return to top »
Give your child a great ride
- Many bike commuters ride their children to daycare in a trailer or bike seat. It’s a fun way to start the day.
- Bike shops can advise you about trailers and don’t forget a helmet for the little one.
Quick tips:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Wear a bright and reflective jacket.
- Wear bike gloves for cushioning your palms and brushing glass off your tires.
- Follow all the traffic rules—same as cars. It is now legal for bikes to pass on the right…with great care!
- Learn the rules of the road at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s (BTA) Bicyclist’s Legal Clinic. www.bta4bikes.org
- Pick up a bike map at your bike shop and choose a comfortable route.
- Every bike map you’ll ever need in Oregon: http://www.efn.org/~rick/pedalpals/docbook/a1619.html
- Take a bike maintenance class from a local bike shop. It’s good to know how to change a flat.
- These two web sites can help you.
- Keep a change of clothes and toiletries at work.
Check out the Bicycle Transportation Alliance for events, actions, and information about bicycling. Then become a member!
Download the useful "Tip Sheets" in Word:
More tips on Becoming a Bike Commuter  more_tips
30 Ideas to Promote Bicycling at the Workplace 30_ideas
If you work in Washington County, the Westside Transportation Alliance will
provide programs at your workplace to help you commute by bike. Ask your
transportation coordinator to call us. 503.906.7961 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
Commute Strategies 
