Happy Multi-Modal Commute Day
Today is Bike to Work Day in Seattle. However I didn’t bike to work. I did my normal commute: bike about 3 miles to a bus stop, bus about 10 miles to a transit center, then bike another 1/2 mile or so to my office. I will be biking home over I90, about 22 miles. Yesterday I did the same commute in the morning, but rode 10 miles in the evening, then hopped on my employers Bike Shuttle to get across the 520 bridge (that bridge is what makes my bike commute a minimum of 22 miles instead of the 12 mile route that cars can drive).
The emphasis on Bike to Work Day is to get individuals excited about bicycle commuting. Mixed bike/transit commutes are probably the best way to do that because they allow you to phase in bike use. Start with a short bike and a longer busride and slowly replace more of your bus ride with more bike. Many commuters will probably find some hybrid (as I have) that has the right balance of bike and bus. A friend at work has been using this successfully during the last two weeks and has gone from biking 3 miles a couple of weeks ago to riding 25 miles into work this morning. It’ll be his longest bike ride in many years.
The bus also allows me to keep my commute varied and interesting. There are about 10 different bike/bus routes that I use on a regular basis depending on my mood, the weather, and how quickly I need to get home. I rarely do the same route twice in one week.
The bus doesn’t have to be the only option. Biking to a friends house and then carpooling can be an effective way to carpool with a friend who doesn’t live next door. Using the train or ferry as part of your commute is a multi-modal option. If you live on top of a steep hill it might make sense to drive to the bottom with your bike and then ride in from there.
Great post! I love this idea. Easing in to it, and making the commute manageable and appropriate for one’’s particular abilities, is the best way to get started. And keeping it flexible and easy is the best way to avoid burnout and end up back in the car; it doesn”t have to be hardcore and “all or nothing”. For what it’’s worth, here’’s an article on my blog discussing this topic:
Anatomy of a Multi-Modal Commute
…and what a day it is to be riding! Another strategy is to bike in, carpool home. The next day carpool in and ride back home! This can work great for me, where any variation of using the bus makes the commute longer (even the all-bus option).
Today I finally got to make/use my first pair of knickers made from converted dress pants. I call them my propaganda pants, because I think it helps people see cyclists in a different way when I”m not all spandexed out. Plus, they”re comfortable to ride in!
My wife and I have carpooled since 2005, and this week I started biking to work from her employer’’s parking lot rather than being dropped off on the way.
This saves almost ten minutes from her commute because we can go a more efficient way through town.
Just don”t forget your bike on the rack when you get off, since Kent is no longer in charge of the recovered bicycles!