Biking to work

I have always biked to work. My home has always been close to work and distance of work a criteria, when job hunting . I have never commuted more than 30 mins. This may sound like a luxury to many of you, but this had been planful and not just a coincidence.

Biking to work is just a great start to the day. It also helps manage my impatience of waiting for trains or being stuck in traffic.

There has been one exception to this. And believe me I tried hard to get around it.

When I lived in Montreal, although living less than 10km from the office, driving was the only real option.

I tried the train, but the infrequency of the trains drove me nuts (and people thought me slightly mad, as I had a company car).  I tried car sharing, but it felt cheap and didn't really suit the culture. No one understood why I would do this.

I tried biking, but the pot holes in the road got the best of me (and the snow of course).

So after three months of trying to bike, I surrendered to the car. Just like everyone else on the island.

But apart from this 3 year lapse, I have always cycled to work.

Interestingly I read today that Basel has the highest percentage of people going to work by tram, bike or on foot in the whole of Switzerland. And I would hazard a guess that this is one of the highest percentages in the developed world. Want to guess what percentage?

You North Americans might just fall off your chairs, or should I say car seats.

Well it's 50%. 1 in 2 people, like me, hop on their bike, take public transport or just good old walk to work, every day.

Impressive eh?

Clearly the infrastructure has to be right for this to work, as does the street quality. But it's also a mindset of the people.

I love it, it's good for the mood, the environment and also for the body.

So have a little think, if even just for one day, if there is a possibility for you to be a Basler and try leaving the car behind.

 Go on, I dare you