I last biked to work in… 2007!?!? It’s been a while. I had this plan to try to bike to work this fall, when the weather is a bit cooler, but then Matt loaned me an ebike and I was like “Damn, I could ride this to work!” And so I did… twice!
I should point out that a few years ago I was like “Eh, there is no way I could ever bike to work. Too dangerous! I’ve seen how people drive because I drive to work with them every day.” (To be clear, they are in other cars, not mine.) Riding up Burleigh to 124th street seemed like a suicide mission at the time, but I’ve learned a lot since then. We’ve also moved our office at work so I am biking to a different location.
But the thing is, I was thinking the way car people think, and the easiest/best route by car is probably not the best route by bike. Last summer I started riding the Menomonee Line of the Oak Leaf Trail and one day I realized I almost rode to work! I was about 1.5 miles from the office, and with just 6 months of riding on roads I was like “Hey, I can make it another 1.5 miles on the road… even if it’s Hampton.” And I was right.
So with the ebike assisting me I made the journey to work. The first time I got there in about 25 minutes. I was amazed! It typically takes me 15 minutes to drive to work. (I’d say between 12 and 18 minutes depending on traffic, and 15 to 22 on the way home when traffic is worse.) I had estimated about 45-50 minutes on my old Trek, and there are some killer hills, but with the ebike it was fast as hell. (My original ebike estimate was 30-35 minutes.)
But it’s not just about speed and time. Getting to work by bike is just… better. I’m outside, I’m getting exercise, I’m not sitting in traffic, I am not tempted to look at my phone at a stoplight. I am fully engaged in my surroundings and what is around me. I am watching and seeing everything.
My first trip was along the Oak Leaf Trail and it’s awesome. My second trip I had to avoid it because the river flooded and parts of the trail were closed, so I tried a very “road heavy” route and while not ideal, I did just fine. I’m actually looking forward to exploring all sorts of different routes over time if I keep riding to work.
And yeah, I would love to keep doing this! I need to get my own ebike, and a few other things (backpacks suck, need panniers) and I can see myself riding to work a lot honestly.
My typical mornings for the past 16 months have been: get up early, go for a ride (usually 30 to 60 minutes) then shower, get ready, drive to work. But what if I get up, do whatever, shower, get ready, and then ride to work? I’d get close to (or more than) an hour of riding per day, and not be driving. I know Wisconsin isn’t the best place for year-round bike commuting, and I’m sure I will still drive many days, but I’d love to give commuting to work by bike a try.
See Also: My #BikeNite post I just started riding to work. What’s your best advice for a newbie bike commuter?