September 2015, my wife Corinne and I had a wonderful gift arrive – Alexandra, our daughter. Around the same time, we realized that being a two car family would probably not be necessary due to my living close to my job and Corinne being at home with Alexandra for the foreseeable future.
We debated over which car should go. We had a Nissan Cube and a Honda Element SC. Yes, two square and highly useful ‘boxes’. In the end, the Nissan Cube won out because of the suicide doors on the Element not being great in parking lots, especially for a baby car seat. I’m still sad about having to give up the Element, but I digress…
It was decided. I was to walk and bike to work. When you’re working a computer desk job, maintaining your health can be a challenge if you’re also not a particularly athletic person outside of work. My hobby is music, not sports. I figured daily exercise to and from work would be an automatic insertion of activity into my day. One year later, I don’t think I ever want to go back to car commuting unless I really need to.
The Experience:
I live in Kitchener, Ontario close to the downtown core. I live around 1.6 kms away from work. I really enjoy biking and pushing myself every day to go faster or maintain a quicker pace. Last year this time, biking averaged about 10+ minutes to work, walking 17-20 minutes. This year? Biking is down to 5-7 minutes, walking is roughly the same.
I couldn’t have chosen a better time to change my commuting method, as downtown Kitchener became a mess of construction and car commuter congestion with the new LRT tracks being laid down right beside my workplace building, and the new underpass on King Street being constructed along with the new transportation hub. This will continue for another couple years around the city.
How long did the car take to commute to work before? Around 10-15 minutes depending on which city parking lot I was parked in. With all the construction over the last year, I’m thinking walking would even have been faster.
When walking and biking, you become more aware of the neighbourhood around you, and interact with people along the way. I also value the exercise I get on a daily basis, and it also allows me to decompress and reset for work or home.
At times, I thought it’d be cool to have an old 1960’s to 80’s wagon at my disposal, but my bicycle ODOMETER was still under 300 kms since I started the daily commutes. That doesn’t warrant having another expense in the driveway for occasional fun.
I have mostly biked, because I suffered multiple foot injuries a couple of years ago that are permanent. Even with orthopedic shoes, walking can be painful at times. Winter months I just have to deal with it.
I’ve used two bikes since starting my commuting:
– 2011 Trek Allant
– 2016 Trek Verve 3
The reason for the two is because our shed was broken into this summer and both of our bicycles were stolen. Thinking we’d never see them again, I purchased the Verve 3. Two weeks later my Allant was found, and now that has become my wife’s bike for when she gets back into biking.
For commuting, always have a storage back / panniers for hauling your stuff and/or groceries when needed. Also, have the required bell and lighting. Finally fenders! You really appreciate having those in the rain and muddy streets. They make really ingenious ones now that are flexible and pop off if whacked or caught against something. Less possibility or being ruined!
I also love the fact that I can go faster than an E-Bike on the roads with a pedal bike. Granted, I have yet to pass an E-Bike on the road yet. When I do, I have a feeling I will chuckle to myself.
The Pros:
- Health and exercise!
- More connection to my neighbourhood
- De-stressor
- No expense of a second car that would sit and rot most of its life (more money for the family!)
- Quicker commuting time to work than using a car (my scenario)
- Best way to combat construction commute hell
The Cons:
- Theft concerns
- Having to deal with rain and snowy conditions
- Cold weather
- Windy day bicycling
- Bad car drivers not paying attention or not caring (biking OR walking)
- People who don’t shovel/clean their sidewalks in the winter in a timely manner
Solutions to The Cons:
- Theft is an on going problem. Current solutions are working. Hope to get a better shed and locking system so I don’t need to store the bikes in the basement anymore
- Rain
- Purchased a packable rain jacket and pants from Marks Work Warehouse to combat rainy bike rides
- Always get fenders for a commuter bike! No skunk marks up your back from rain and mud!
- Always have an umbrella with you if walking. Again the suit is still better for full body protection
- Bontrager bicycle accessory – the rear storage bag has built in rain cover you can pull out to protect your stowed stuff.
- Snow and Cold
- Long johns are fabulous! Either that or fleece lined pants
- What I call ‘Russian’ hats – they look dumb, but your head appreciates a proper hat for the cold
- Proper winter jacket / layering to combat coldness
- Strap on ‘cramp ons’ for boots during icy days prevents a lot of slipping and falling
- Light hiking boots with proper cold weather lining in them. Make sure they are comfy as well!
- Bad Car Drivers
- Knowing your place helps. A car will always win. Be paranoid.
- Being respectful of pedestrians as well. You’re now the car.
- Lights and helmet are a must. Stupid not to have either.
- Bicycle bell – again, it’s your ‘car horn’. Use it.
- As a pedestrian, always be mindful of where a driver is NOT looking. Don’t think you can teach someone something either by walking in front of them. I almost was run over by a woman who panicked after hitting me once with her car, and then hitting the gas for a split second in panic and hitting me again. Be paranoid.
