12.17.2008 2:01 pm
A greener route to work
Here at SV, we try to be health-conscious individuals. Some of us run, work out, play softball and cycle either recreationally or by commuting to work. This leads us to one caveat of the controversial Wall Street federal bailout package passed by Congress.
Beginning in January, the Bicycle Commuter’s Act offers companies a $20 monthly tax credit for each employee who cycles to work. It does seem like a no-brainer: some employers offer incentives to help employees get discounts on equipment purchases; employees save money on transportation costs and both sides benefit by employees’ getting healthier and costing less in health care in over the long run.
Here’s a story link.
I would love to bike to work, but there are some practical considerations. It’s only 8 miles, which isn’t bad, but it still would eat up a lot more time of my day. Also, I would get to the opposite side of Olive/Lindbergh, which is not very bike-friendly. I also have no desire to bike to work when it is 20 degrees, raining, or snowing. If it is 90 degrees I would need a shower when I show up, meaning I have to drag a bag with me. I would much rather have lanes of the highway dedicated to little three-wheel commuter devices that got 90 MPG so I could get one without being afraid of some idiot in an SUV killing me.
I already bike to work. I live about 4 blocks from work, so I could technically walk. The only time I won’t bike to work is if it is raining or there is snow on the ground. It saves a TON of miles on my car!
John,
I used to work up near Olive/Lindbergh and can relate to the hazards of riding a bike there. The best route is often the less direct and while it might add some time and distance to your 8 miles by car, it would probably work. The simplest thing is to take your clothes in the day before you ride so they’re ready to wear. Ride in bike clothes. Shower in a men’s room sink. I’ve done it hundreds of times and it’s easy. I discovered the time on the bike was great time to unwind after a tedious day at the office and was probably the best part of my day.
So quit making excuses and ride to work!
I used the early ride to work to clear my head and prep for the day. The ride home was ballz out and I used that for racing training. It left me with no need to do deliberate exercise and took only about 20 minutes more each way since HWY 40 had several clusters of congestion.
I regularly rode from Maplewood to Chesterfield airport (20 miles). It was a great ride up to about 1999 when they put in the mall where the cornfields and WIDE road were before. The traffic and congestion, along with poor accomodations for anything other than cars, made it stressfull. I quite riding to work when our company moved just across the river to the research park.
I took two days worth of clothes in on Monday and then rode in on Tuesday and Wednesday. Took my clothes home on Friday. I took one pair of Kahakis and two shirts alonf with some ‘roos and socks. I did forget shoes once and spent the day working at my desk in socks since cycling shoes just don’t cut it.
It kinda depends on each person’s situation. It certainly is a good idea for those that live within a decent distance and have a safe route. The $20 tax credit seems almost too little to be of an incentive to be effective.
My commute from St. Charles to the Westport area has it’s share of challenges. The distance (about 13 miles / 1 hour) was more than I thought that I could do both ways every day. Therefore, some days I will drive my car into work and then bike home. Then, reverse that the next day (bike in and drive home). Some days, doing both ways works–but most of the time, 13 miles is enough, especially in July and August. Another thing that works really well is driving to a commuter lot ( I use the parking lot located on the St. Charles side of the Page extension bridge) and then bike in from there. Bike back to the commuter lot in the evening and then drive home. Without a doubt, there are a lot of inconveniences that accompany biking to work. Planning ahead with clothing, toiletries, lunches etc., using a sink to try to wash-up in the morning and dealing with inclement weather add significant challenges to the task. But I can say that after doing this for the better part of 3 years, the pros far outweigh the cons. If I could have one bike-related Christmas wish come true this year, it would be to make the Westport area a little more bike-friendly. It is by far the most challenging 1 1/4 mile of my commute. There are absolutely NO bike lanes in the area and I wind up doing most of my time through Westport on sidewalks, which poses its own risks and challenges. Save money, save wear and tear on your car, get in shape and save the environment! Just bike to work.