commuters
resources
- www.mapmyride.com. find alternate bike routes all over the state
- Massachusetts bicycle plan update
- www.walkinginfo.org
- www.walkboston.org
- www.massbike.org
perks
- when you go car-free, you save on fuel, maintenance, parking fees, gym memberships, and traffic tickets. With that savings, you can afford to occasionally rent a car, take a taxi, or enjoy car-sharing like zipcar. Bicycling is convenient, good for the environment, good for your health and it saves you money!
- people who bike or walk to work arrive invigorated and work off the day's stress on the way home.
- when you travel by bicycle or walking, you don't have to make extra time for exercise
- cycling or walking to work = less traffic congestion and pollution in your region
emergency ride home
- If you bike or walk more than 2x a week, you can get reimbursed 4 times a year for emergency rides home [ie., taxi]. Ask about the emergency ride home program [ERH] and find out if your employer is already enrolled.
bicycle and walking
bicycling
Pump up those tires (even just 1 day a week) because cycling saves you money and keeps you in shape, so you feel great about your wallet and your health.
Here are some suggestions to help you to ease into bicycle commuting:
- try a practice run on a weekend to find a good route and see how long it takes
- find a co-worker or friend who bikes and ride with them
- start by trying just one day a week (try it on "casual Friday")
- if you live far from work, try bicycling to the nearest transit station or drive part of the way and bike the rest
- for more tips and information on bicycling, please visit www.massbike.org
safety
Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as operators of motor vehicles according to Massachusetts state law. This means that you are required to follow all traffic rules, and you are allowed to drive your bicycle on any road or highway in the state, except for limited access expressways (like I-93).
walking
You may want to start off slowly, one or two days a week, gradually building up to walking full-time or just staying part-time. Most walkers commute about one mile (one-way) to work, but everyone is different.
Here are some suggestions to get started:
- select a good pair of walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- try a practice run on a weekend to see how long it takes
- find a co-worker or friend who walks and join them
- for tips and info on walking, visit www.walkinginfo.org
safety
- utilize sidewalks, crosswalks, and signaled intersections especially in areas with heavy traffic
- a weekend test commute will give you a feel for the route, any problems and how much time to allow
- consider general lighting and the neighborhoods you travel through in off-peak hours
- if walking at dawn or dusk, consider reflective wrist or leg bands
dealing with business clothes
There are two categories of walking: "leisure walking" and "power walking."
- leisure walking is slower paced and so you can stay in your work clothes and carry your bags and materials. You may want to leave a pair of dress shoes at the office.
- power walking is fast paced and is better in exercise clothes. One of the biggest obstacles to power walking is finding a way to freshen up and change into work clothes. If your employer has locker rooms with showers you’re all set. If not, ask them about other options.
