Taming The Commute Beast

Mike Wallenfels, CEO of Timbuk2

My CommuteLarkspur To SFO Novato to SFO

Why?Or….Why Not?

The NumbersPeople 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 NumbersNew 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 workNetherlands 50% of commuters bicycleChina 77% commute by bike

Only 1.6% of U.S. commuters bicycle to work

FitnessThe real reason to motivate!

Fitness “Perspective”

Old View New View

Fitness FactsLarkspur 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

Apps

Tracking and Sharing

Save The PlanetAnother 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!

MoneyReal facts that help the cause

Car 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 Commute

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 StartedTaming 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 RouteStreets and Paths Bike Lanes and Traffic

Bike Friendly Roads

Bike Paths

Bike Lanes

City Riding

Gear You NeedIt’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 MotivatedHow not to quit

Keeping MotivatedPlan: 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

ResourcesSan Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Marin County Bicycle Coalition

Bay Area Bicycle Coalition

Bike To Work Day May 13th

Thank You! Questions??