Active Transportation


Congratulations to this month's champions! Read about how these individuals have overcome various barriers to make Active Transportation a part of their daily routines. Learn more about the Active Transportation Campaign or submit a story about your active commute!
	Robyn from Madison, WI The best and worst things about commuting in Madison: Best: I wouldn't give up commuting in Madison , WI for anything. The city has a series of great bike paths that are heavily used by bikers, pedestrians, and joggers. The paths are well-designed, wide enough to accommodate everyone, well-marked (and becoming more so thanks
to new signs supported in part by Trek Bicycles), and are even partially plowed in the winter. (Half of the path is plowed for the bike commuters, while the other half remains unplowed for cross-country skiers!) Apart from the paths, though, the city streets tend to be wide enough to accommodate both bike and motor traffic, and many streets have dedicated and well-maintained bike lanes. There is a very active bike advocacy organization (the Bike Federation of Wisconsin) and cyclists' interests are represented at the municipal level by the Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle commission. On a personal level, though, bike commuting is even more important than ever for me this year. My husband and I are expecting our first child in early August, and fortunately I have been able to continue biking every day to my job at the university, even though I'm now 7 months pregnant. My pace may be slower than usual, but it is a real joy to be able to get a little fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. The commutes into work give me some time to organize my thoughts for the day, and the ride home lets me relax and unwind a little before the evening closes - all while catching glimpses of smiling folks walking their dogs, nods from other bike commuters, spring flowers, or one of the Madison area lakes. Bike commuting costs next to nothing but contributes so much towards peace of mind. Worst: I'd be hard-pressed to say what the worst thing about commuting in Madison is; some might say the weather can be difficult, but with the right preparation and gear, I've biked to work comfortably when it has been -10 degrees F. I certainly stay warmer on the bike than I do while waiting for the bus or coaxing my car to warm up. Other Information: Currently I bike to work every day, although as this summer and my pregnancy progresses, I may have to make some accommodations for the heat. The factors that have really made a difference are the convenience (it takes about as long to bike into work as it does to take the bus), the logistical support from the University (which strongly advocates non-car transportation since car parking is so limited and expensive), the health benefits, and the sheer enjoyment. I started biking to work four years ago, when I was a graduate student in East Lansing, MI. I have been biking to work in Madison as long as I have lived here (two and a half years). I commute just under 7 miles a day, at least five days a week - about 35 miles a week altogether. My commuter bike is a '99 Specialized Hardrock mountain bike, equipped with front and rear lights, a rear rack, and a milk crate for hauling books and bags. In the winter I use a bright headlamp with rechargeable battery (since the sun sets around 4:45 pm in the middle of the winter around here!)
	Max from Boston, MA Best and worst things about commuting in Boston: Best: It's a beautiful city, with no strip malls or super-wide streets. There's a lot going on in the streets. The scenery changes with the seasons: spring bloom and fall foliage are my favorites. Worst: Potholes. They're more like craters than potholes.
Other Information: I have no car and ride my bike every day. I commute about 20 miles but ride another 100-150 for joy rides, groceries and errands. I have been commuting by bike all my adult life. Usually I commute on a 1991 Bridgestone MB-4, a no-suspension mountain bike converted to road/touring use with drop bars and narrow tires. Sometimes I use a 2003 Rivendell Rambouillet, a classic-style road bike. Occasionally I will ride a Vision recumbent tandem ("bike-pool" to work, just for fun). The photo is of me on my Bridgestone towing furniture on a 96-inch Bikes-At-Work trailer. Learn more about my recent bike-powered house move at http://maxp.net/bike/bikemove.php
	Donna from St. Paul , MN The best and worst things about commuting in Minneapolis/St.Paul: Best: The best part is riding my bike over the Stone Arch Bridge every morning, listening to the waterfalls, and observing the changes in the Mighty Mississippi. It looks different almost every day in the winter! The Great Blue Herons are back now, and soon I'll see the black cormorants nesting just beyond the bridge.
Worst: The worst part of commuting by bicycle would have to be the rude SUV drivers who'd rather run cyclists off the road than grant ride-of-way. Other Information: Safer routes that would remove bicyclists away from walkers and automobiles would be a huge incentive to ride more often. I began commuting by bike about 28 years ago. When I had a parking spot downtown and needed a car for work, I drove for many years. Then a couple years ago, I began riding my bike to work every day. It keeps me in shape all year. The shortest distance from home to work is a little over 8 miles. Now that it's spring, I take a new, extended route every day; and I also run errands, go to doctor appointments, etc, by bike. That makes my total run about 100-150 miles per week. Most of the year I ride a Specialized Sirrus with Michelin tubeless tires. It's lightweight aluminum and fun to ride. During the snowy/icy months, I ride my mountain bike with studded tires.
	Dean from Minneapolis , MN (City Council Member Ward 6) The best and worst things about commuting in Minneapolis : Best: Good bike paths and lanes. Respectful drivers. Being able to spend time outdoors. Invigorating weather. Getting some much needed exercise. Biking also puts me in closer contact with my constituents. I have my name on my bike and often get hailed by people who want to talk to their City Council Member.
Worst: Nothing is bad about biking in Minneapolis . When I first ran for public office 10 years ago, I promised to make it as easy to ride a bike to work in Minneapolis as it is to drive. During my 8 years on the Park Board and 2 ½ years on the City Council, I have seen a great increase in bike paths and lanes and in general it is becoming easier to ride. Other Information: I have been commuting a year and a half. I used to bike years ago, but when I became a handyperson I got away from it. It is hard to carry a thousand pounds of tools around on a bike. But, now that my main tool is a briefcase, I can & do bike everywhere always - except deep into St. Paul or to the suburbs. My work takes my out into the Ward often during the week. I also have other meetings around town, but I would say that I do between 40 and 80 miles in a typical week. My direct home-to-office is 4 miles round trip. I commute on a Trek bike. Visit the League of American Bicyclists website for more Commuter Profiles!