Multi-modal Commuting
My Ford F-150 pickup is grinning.
I usually bike commute on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. As I headed out the door for my bike commute, I opened the garage. Unlocked my truck. Started the ignition and drove off.
Wait a second.
If you’re wondering what happened to my bike commute today, never fear, it still happened. I just used my truck to drive about 2.5 miles to my parents house nearby where my bicycle was waiting patiently for my arrival.
Due to road construction right outside the gate of my subdivision, my commuting rules of engagement have changed.
A massive effort is underway to expand infamous Blanco Road, north of Loop 1604, into the larger road it has needed to be for the past several years. Both southbound and northbound lanes have become truly inoperable to cyclists in an area just south of my residence.
The southbound lane is narrow with a two-foot high concrete barrier (meant to protect the construction workers). The northbound lane is narrow with traffic markers and no shoulder.
Add to this that while the speed limit has been reduced to 35mph, the actual traffic speed is still humming along at the old speed limit of 50-55mph.
No thanks. That’s a setup that has high risk written all over it.
The solution is simple and is an option that many commuters should examine. It’s called multi-modal commuting – using two or more methods of transportation to get you where you’re going. For example, riding your bicycle to the bus stop and taking the bus the rest of the way to work or simply driving a portion of your commute and then switching to your bicycle when you’re within a reasonable distance.
I know folks that live 30 miles from work and wish they could bicycle commute. Short answer, they can! Drive 15-20 miles of that route, then hop on the bike to save some gas, burn some calories and get the wind blowing in your face as you soak up the experience of commuting on two wheels.
So, the F-150 gets to play a part on my bicycle commute days and seems to be burying itself in the part!