Name: Mary
Occupation: Consumer Protection Section Chief
Employer: Office of the Washington Attorney General
Gets around by: Bike & bus
Where do you live and where do you work?
I live just three miles from where I work.
How do you get there?
With such a short commute, biking is a great option for me, especially in fair weather. When it gets nasty out, though, I switch to the bus. I wanted to increase my physical fitness, and the first year I worked here I biked in once. Each year, I’ve increased the number of days I’ve biked to work. I applaud those hardy souls who bike to work rain or shine, but while I can’t quite do that, I can do some. At first, the biggest challenge was just logistics. As a professional woman, getting ready for the day is not just a matter of pulling on a pair of pants and heading out the door. There’s your hair dryer, styling equipment, makeup and a change of clothes. With the addition of a locker room and shower facility at our workplace, I could leave at work the items needed on a daily basis.
How does it all add up?
My employer provides a bus pass, which is a huge help.
What’s in it for you?
Exercise is often the last item on our “to do” list, especially with the demands of work and family. This is a great way to fit some exercise into your life. Start small and make a commitment to bike once or twice and then work on it from there.