Remember the freedom you felt when you first rode your bike around the block by yourself? Why not get on your bike or lace up those tennies and get that feeling of freedom again? Worried about wearing your work clothes on a short walk or ride? If you live just a few miles from your work site, you can ride or walk there without even breaking a sweat. An added bonus: You’re getting some exercise on the way to and from work.
Bicycling and walking are options that cost less than driving and parking, reduce pollution and congestion, and still leave you with the flexibility to come and go on your own schedule. Added benefits include better health, stronger muscles and bones, improved self-esteem and increased feelings of relaxation.
Bicycling and walking are not “all or nothing” options; you can bike/walk part of the way and then catch the bus or meet up with your carpool. All Cherriots buses have safe and easy-to-use bike racks.
Learn more about bikes on buses by calling (503) 588-BUSS.
Here are a few tips to consider if you’re thinking about biking or walking.
| • | Get your bike tuned up by a local bike shop before your first trip. |
| • | Wear a properly fitted helmet. Your head contains the only brain you’re ever going to get, so protect it! If you don’t have a helmet, ask at your local bike shop for recommendations. |
| • | Try a practice run on a weekend to find a good route and see how long it takes, and then try the trip one day a week at first. |
| • | Find a coworker or friend who walks or bikes and commute together. |
Telecommuting refers to an arrangement made by the employee with their management to work outside of the office or workplace, usually at home or an alternate location closer to the commuter's home.
Flextime is an arrangement made with management to work a variable work schedule as opposed to a more traditional 9 to 5 work day. By allowing employees to stagger work hours or by changing from five eight-hour days to four ten-hour days (a “compressed work week”), traffic and commuting problems are eased, and schedules can better accommodate family responsibilities or school schedules.
Some flextime programs allow employees to work some hours at home and some in the office which is why telecommuting and flextime are often offered in conjunction with one another.
This doesn’t work for everyone, but even one day a week of telecommuting can reduce employees’ stress levels and reduce traffic congestion and pollution.