What are the advantages?

It’s easy and inexpensive to commute by riding a bicycle or by walking. Walking and Cycling reduces air pollution, decreases traffic congestion, and makes employees more awake, aware, and healthy.

Why walk?

Walking is an ideal for individuals who live near their workplace.  It is also something that almost everyone can get involved in, and walking requires no special equipment (but you might want to buy a good pair of walking shoes).

 Tips for Walking to Work 

• Plan your route in advance. Look for sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, etc.  You may want to consider a route that includes transit stops in case you are running late or it starts to rain. 
• Once you have chosen your route, try it out on a weekend to make sure it is a comfortable distance.  If you are going to be walking at night, take a ride in the evening to make sure the route feels safe.
• Get a pair of comfortable walking sneakers. These should not be the shoes you are going to wear all day long.
• Backpacks and briefcases with adjustable straps make it easy to carry your essentials. Adhesive reflective patches make walkers visible to motorists at night.
• Bring or keep a change of clothing, toiletries and other essentials to freshen up.
• Adhere to safety rules.

Safe Walking Tips 

• Obey traffic laws and signals.

• Always remember to look both ways before attempting to cross the street. If there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway, walk on the left side, facing traffic.
  
• Avoid crossing between parked cars. 

• If you listen to music when you walk, make sure you can still hear honking horns, fire engines, and police sirens.

Why Cycle?

Tips for Bicycling to Work

• Conditioning. Choose an easy pace and plan your route in advance.  Ease your way into better shape and maintain it once you've become a regular bicycle commuter.
• Trip distance. If you live too far from work for a practical bicycle commute, consider cycling to a bus stop or a co-worker's house and carpool.
• Bicycle parking. Check to see if Bicycle parking is available at your workplace. Locate bicycle parking in a place protected from the rain and bad weather.  Locate the parking area close to building entrances, elevators and stairways.  If your employer doesn't provide parking, make a formal request with other employees. Or see if other arrangements can be made for a safe place to store your bicycle while you are at work.  If parking is available outside, remember to use a good U-lock.
• The bicycle. If the bicycle is mechanically sound and fits correctly, you have a commute bicycle. If you can't maintain it yourself, take it to a good bicycle shop. Good maintenance is important when you rely on your bicycle to get you to work on time.
• Bicycle accessories.  Make the bicycle carry your stuff. A bicycle without carrying capacity is not a convenient way to get to work. A sturdy rear rack is a must. You can strap your briefcase on with a bungee cord or use a basket, pannier (bicycle bag that mounts on a rear rack), or plastic crate.  Be prepared for minor repairs and adjustments on the road by carrying a tool kit. Use a horn, whistle, or bell, to alert others of your presence. Use a rear-view mirror for changing lanes. Use lights for riding at night.  Minimally, you need a white light in front and a red light in back to make you visible and show which direction you're going. Carry a water bottle. Bring change or a cell phone to make phone calls for help.  Use fenders to stay clean and dry.
• Dressing for the ride.  Wear comfortable, light-colored clothing. Avoid tight clothing that restricts movement, and excessively loose clothing that could get caught in moving parts.  Use pants clips or rubber bands to protect pants from getting caught or soiled. Be sure to wear a properly fitting helmet.  Shield your eyes from bright sunlight, road debris, wind, and insects by wearing protective eyewear.  Make your ride more comfortable by wearing gloves to protect your hands.
• Dressing for work.  Some bicycle commuters ride in their business attire, and still look good when they get to work.  Most simply ride in casual or cycling clothing and change when they arrive.  You can prevent wrinkles by rolling, instead of folding, clothes in a backpack or pannier (bicycle bag that mounts on a rear rack).  Some commuters keep several outfits at work, rotating outfits on days they don’t ride, or they take their clothes to a dry cleaner near work.
• Foul weather.  It’s easiest to start as a fair-weather bicycle commuter. Later, you might want to experiment with different types of rain gear. 
• Safety.  If you obey traffic laws and ride visibly and predictably you are at no greater risk cycling than driving a car.  Use hand signals and ride in the same direction as traffic, in the right-most lanes.  Watch for car doors, as people get out of their parked cars.

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