Traveler Spotlight

Occupation: Executive Assistant

How do you usually get to work? 

I mostly bicycle, but also use the Red Vine.

Why did you decide to commute this way? 

I decided to commute, because I don’t want to pay for parking. I want to leave as little impact on the environment as possible.

How long have you been using this commute option? 

2.5 years!

How far is your commute? How long does it take you each way?

Only 2 miles to get to work. If I am on bike, it takes me 10 minutes to bike. If I am riding the bus, it takes me about 30 minutes to walk to my stop, wait for the bus, ride to the closest drop off, then walk to work. This is a bit slower, but it keeps me from having to try to cool off and change before work.

What is your favorite thing about your commute? 

I get exercise.

What is a challenge of your commute? How have you overcome that challenge?

The bike storage is too full, but that should be updated soon to allow for more space for bikes. The locker rooms do not have any good air flow, there is no exhaust fan or cooling fan, they are too hot after a ride, the showers leak water all over the floor, and there are not enough lockers for more than 10 people commuting. This adds more time to the commute.

Riding a bicycle can be very dangerous, but so can crossing on foot in the crosswalks. I have almost been hit by cars driving way over the speed limit and refusing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Roundabouts can be dangerous for cycling because the cars will just shoot out without even looking, which is why the crosswalks at the roundabout are also dangerous on foot.

Commuting takes much longer than driving, which means a longer workday for myself. If I drive, I can be at work in under 10 minutes, not be sweaty, not have to change and be at my desk working on time, but when commuting, I am not getting from my house to my desk for at least 30 minutes.

My challenges are out of my control. I think I just put up with them, because commuting is important to me.

Tell us a favorite or interesting commute story.

I connected with a great group of cyclists that are my age, and they make bicycling and commuting fun and are very encouraging. I love them!!

How does your commute help you save time and/or money?

It saves me money, because I do not have to pay the place I work to park. I lose a lot of time commuting and completely understand how difficult commuting would be if I lived more than 6 miles away.

How does your employer help accommodate your commute option?

My employer has a small bike locker, two bathrooms for showering and changing, and a handful of lockers. They also provide a cash commute incentive through Get There SW WA.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to use a climate-friendly commute option?

If you live close by, it is a great way to help reduce our carbon emissions. If you do not live close, it will be more work and more time consuming to do this.