Name: Matt
Occupation: Bike and Carshare Coordinator
Employer: Downtown On The Go
Gets around by: Bicycle
Where do you live and where do you work?
I live near the University of Puget Sound and work downtown at 9th and Pacific.
How do you get there?
My commute and most of my errands are within 4 miles of home, so I usually ride a bike.
How does it all add up? How much money or time do you save?
My family uses a cargobike in place of a second car for running short errands with kids and commuting to school and work. We joke that it’s our other minivan because it can carry four people or a week’s worth of groceries – and sometimes both! We probably save well over $1,000 each year on car costs by using bikes instead of cars. I’ve found that most local bike trips don’t take much more time than driving when you factor in parking.
What’s in it for you?
I started biking for health and environmental reasons, but now I pedal more because it makes me happy. Instead of feeling isolated in my car, I feel connected to the neighborhoods, streets, and people of my community. Biking makes me feel more like an integral part of the city.
Do you have any tips for people who may be trying this mode for the first time?
I first started commuting with a backpack and quickly found it made me too warm. Adding a small rack or basket to your bike will help you more easily carry things like a U-lock or an extra layer of clothing and ultimately make the ride more enjoyable.