Taming the Commute Beast

Taming The Commute Beast
Mike Wallenfels, CEO of Timbuk2

My Commute
Larkspur To SFO
Novato to SFO

Why?
Or….Why Not?

The Numbers
People who commute by single-occupancy motor vehicle: 91,064,400 (77.7%)
People whose commute is 1-5 miles each way: 33,988,000 (29%)
People whose commute is 10 miles or less each way: 59,772,000 (51%)
America's cars and trucks consume 10% of world's oil supply [League of American Bicyclists ]

The Numbers
New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting. [Bicycling Magazine]
Who’s Commuting Around The World?
Japan 15% of commuters bicycle to work
Netherlands 50% of commuters bicycle
China 77% commute by bike
Only 1.6% of U.S. commuters bicycle to work

Fitness
The real reason to motivate!

Fitness “Perspective”
Old View
New View

Fitness Facts
Larkspur to SFO
Distance: 20.23 mi
Time: 1hr 37min
Speed: 12.94 mi/hr
Calories: 1272
Novato to SFO
Distance: 37.62
Time: 2hr 44 min
Speed: 14 mi/hr
Calories: 2142
Make your commute part of your fitness or training routine.
Use training device or web site to track progress…one ride at a time

Tracking and Sharing

Save The Planet
Another Car Off The Road

Save The PlanetOne ride at a time…
Over a year….
110 Gallons of gas
2124 lbs of CO2
Carbon sequestered by 23.5 tree seedlings grown for 10 years
Undetermined reduced anxiety!

Money
Real facts that help the cause

Car Commute
Bike Commute
72 miles round trip
Gas/day: $13.92 (National Avg. 18 mpg at $3.48/gallon)
Bridge: $5 (Fastrack)
Total:
$18.92 / day
$94.60 / week
$4,540 / year (48 wks)
24 Hour Fitness? Membership: $300 / year
Bike – Bus combo
Bus return home: $5.35
Total: $5.35 / day
Savings: $13.57 / day
Drive – Bike – Ferry combo
28 miles round trip
Gas/day: $5.41
Ferry: $7.85
Total: $13.26 / day
Savings: $5.66 / day
Total Savings:
$19.23 / week (2 rides)
$923 / year (48 weeks)

Getting Started
Taming the beast

Planning Your Ride
How many miles and when?
Fit your time and goals
Time of day: To work, From work, or Both
Choosing your route
Ask questions
Resources: Bike groups, blogs, Google, and friends
Whatcha do when you get there?
Clothes
Washing
How do you get back (or visa versa)?
Public transportation options…not just a bike!
Bike > Bus > Bike
Car > Bike > Bike > Ferry > Car

Choose Your Route
Streets and Paths
Bike Lanes and Traffic

Bike Friendly Roads

Bike Paths

Bike Lanes

City Riding

Gear You Need
It’s fun to buy stuff

What To Bring
Keep it simple (light)
Bike Necessities
Commute bike
Pack / Bag / Pannier
Lights: front and back
Pump and tube
Clothes: Cold, Rain, Hot, and “perfect”
Work Necessities
Keep to a minimum
Washing / Hygiene
Work stuff…you have to bring home
Lunch in…or dine out

Keeping Motivated
How not to quit

Keeping Motivated
Plan: Schedule your week ahead AND put it into your schedule. Create a rhythm.
Start Small: Once a months > once a week > twice a week > every day
Find a Partner: Find another commuter to get motivated with.
Gear Up: “No such thing as bad weather…only bad gear”
Check Weather: Check it and commit

Weather Apps

Resources
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
Bay Area Bicycle Coalition
Bike To Work Day May 13th

Thank You!
Questions??

Taming the Commute Beast

by gueste5a828 on May 14, 2010

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