Can a Chatty Commute Make you Happier?

Written by Judy Bortman

Often my car radio is tuned to NPR (National Public Radio). A few days ago I heard an interview during morning drive time that presented a paradoxical idea. A university researcher was sharing his findings about communication between commuters.

The study found that talking to strangers on public transit made people happier and even healthier. I thought the topic was intriguing, especially because it contradicted what Mom had always said about not talking to strangers.

It turns out that keeping to ourselves on the bus or train may not be serving us well after all. It’s a social contradiction. According to Nicholas Epley and a PhD student, Juliana Schroeder, from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, striking up a conversation with a stranger gave lonely commuters a boost in happiness.

A Recent Commuter Study: An experiment in Chicago randomly assigned train and bus riders to either talk to the stranger next to them or commute quietly. The Result: Even for introverts, silence leaves you sadder. 

Epley and Booth found that people were much happier when talking to the commuter sitting next to them. In fact, they found that the other person was also happier.

Additionally, their research revealed that people misinterpreted the silence of fellow-commuters as “not wanting to talk.” It was a misguided cue interpreted as wanting to be left alone.

Epley and Booth urged commuters to be brave and start a conversation with a fellow commuter who may be just as eager for human communication. You can listen to the entire interview at NPR.org.

Do you prefer a "quiet commute?"
 
Some commuters really want to be left alone. They just want to "chill" during their ride to or from work and choose to refrain from conversation or even from using their cell phone.

If you prefer to read, work or just relax during your commute, seek out the Quiet Commute Car option that’s available on a growing number of NJ Transit trains.

"We heard from our customers that they want to enjoy the benefits of Quiet Commute cars on trains during off-peak hours in addition to peak periods, and we are taking action based directly on their recommendations," said Executive Director Veronique Hakim in a recent press release. "We want our customers to know that their feedback will continue to be the driving force behind NJ TRANSIT’s ongoing efforts to improve their overall experience on our system."

Learn more about Quiet Commute cars on NJ Transit Northeast Corridor trains.

If you’re seated next to a stranger on the train or a bus, would you start talking?

For me, it’s a personal preference. I’d trust my intuition and how I interpret the body language of the person sitting next to me. If he or she is actively involved in reading or has their head down and eyes focused on their smartphone, I’d leave them alone and respect their commuter “timeout.”

If they’re looking around or staring out the window, I’d give conversation a try. After all, research has confirmed that talking to “our neighbor” on the train or bus can make us happier. And who doesn’t want to be happier!

What would you do?

What's Up with Gas Prices? They're Down!

Written by Judy Bortman

Have you recently had sticker shock (in a good way) when you pull up to the pump? Gas is under $3 per gallon nationally and under $2.60 at many northwest New Jersey stations!

What's up? Why are prices dropping? Does why matter? When it comes to gas prices, I’m probably not going out on a limb by saying that lower cost per gallon is what most motorists care about followed by how long will these prices last.

In September the national average price for gas was $3.41 per gallon; this week it's $2.91 per gallon. Gasbuddy.com found $2.756 was the average price of gas in New Jersey as of November 10, 2014.

You might say that lower gas prices are a consumer-perfect storm resulting from a convergence of favorable conditions.

The combination of factors at play are leaving Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service "a little bit shocked." Global demand for gas has slowed its rise, new U.S. sources of oil are being tapped, and crude oil is flowing from the Middle East. Kloza estimates that gas prices will remain unusually low amid weak global demand.

A combination of low demand, increased gas supplies and the switch to less expensive winter-blend gasoline has played a role in the price drop, according to AAA MidAtlantic spokesperson Tracy Noble.

What makes up the cost per gallon? 

 

Have you ever wondered how the price of a gallon of gas is determined? There are four main components of the retail price; approximate percentages are:

• 13% Taxes
• 10% Distribution, Marketing, Retail Costs and Profits
• 14% Refining Costs and Profits
• 64% Crude Oil

NOTE: The cost of crude oil as part of the retail price varies over time and among regions of the country.
For example, on July 24, 2014, refiners paid an average of about $104 per barrel of crude oil, or about $2.47 per gallon; the cost has since declined.

Click the map to see gas tax rates nationwide

One of the factors contributing to lower gas prices is reduced demand. Commuters choosing transit options are helping to lower the amount of gas they use by sharing a ride, using public transit, riding a bicycle and/or walking to work, part if not all of the way.

Teleworking also contributes to reduced gas consumption. A growing number of commuters are using technology that enables them to telework on a regular basis. According to GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, the growth of teleworking seen in American Community Survey data from 2012, varied widely within different sectors of the workforce.

• Federal employees = 421.0% growth (A jump in growth to 433% occurred between 2005 and 2006, the year of Hurricane Katrina; it has actually declined in subsequent years)
• State government employees = 122.1% growth
• Not-for-profit employees = 87.6% growth
• For profit employees = 70.4%
• Local government employees = 62.3%

The cost of a gallon of gas is something that we don’t personally control; it will continue to fall or rise depending on the interplay of economic factors. What we can control is how much gas we use or don’t use.

If you’d like to learn more about what drives U.S. gas prices visit EIA.gov website for the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

To find or start a carpool or vanpool, learn about public transit routes, find a local Park & Ride lot or rent a bike locker at one of the Morris County train stations, visit TransOptions.org or call us at (973) 267-7600.

Why Carpool? It's more than just the cost of gas!

Written by Judy Bortman

TransOptions just concluded TripSwitch, a three-week challenge that encouraged motorists to "switch" a solo car ride for one that's smarter.

We developed this free, short-term campaign to motivate commuters to try an energy-efficient or shared ride to work. The idea was to walk, bike or carpool to your destination instead of driving alone. Participants could also combine modes for their trips such as walking or riding a bike to a train station or bus stop.

As if a smarter ride was not incentive enough, we sweetened the challenge with awards and raffle prizes. Participants had multiple chances to qualify to win an array of prizes including an iPod Shuffle and Yurbuds headphones, a FitBit, a solar recharging kit and a number of gift cards ranging from $75 to $250.

It has been said that, "timing is everything." Some months ago when we started planning TripSwitch, motorists were paying about $3.35 per gallon for regular gas. We believed that “switching” to a smarter ride would also lower the cost of commuting even more by saving money on fuel.

About three weeks ago, ironically right around the time TripSwitch started, gas prices started coming down. A gallon of regular gas currently sells for less than $2.90 in many northwest New Jersey towns. What timing!

At TransOptions employer and community events, I regularly ask current and prospective carpool riders why they decide to share a ride. Gas prices are definitely a large part of the equation. About five or six years ago when the price of a gallon of gas hovered around $4.00, our phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting to start carpooling.

Now that gas prices are $1.00+ per gallon lower, carpool riders have told us that they have additional reasons to carpool. Their replies to the question, "Why do you carpool?" consistently reveal that quality of life issues and the overall cost of commuting are also part of the equation.

What collectively matters most is:

• Saving money by sharing commuting costs
• Vehicle wear and tear
• Employer perks (preferred parking, financial incentives)
• Emergency Ride Home (registered carpool riders can receive a free ride home from TransOptions up to twice a year should an emergency arise)
• Camaraderie

I decided to reach out to several carpooling TripSwitch participants to learn what motivated them to share a ride and see if the quality of life hypothesis held up.

"Saving money on gas and reducing wear and tear on my vehicle," was the identical response from three carpoolers; one sought to help the environment.

When asked how frequently they carpool, Tom G. (28 carpool trips totaling 1,120 miles) replied, "every work day if possible."

Helen T. (34 carpool trips totaling 1,034 miles) and Laura P. (20 carpool trips totaling 1,000 miles) also carpool five days a week. For Sonya T. (18 carpool trips totaling 540 miles), three to four days is typical but when feasible, she will share the ride all five workdays.

Were these carpoolers new rideshare recruits or veteran venturers?

"I've been carpooling for 14 years," shared Laura. "About thirteen years," said Tom. Helen and Sonya were the newbies that I talked to, only having carpooled for two years and one year respectively.

"Camaraderie" was also a motivation for rideshare veteran Laura. We then turned to the subject of difficulties or obstacles to their carpooling and how they were handled.

We "worked through any difficulties, and every once in a while, one of us needs to leave and we have taken advantage of the free (emergency) ride home" said Tom.

Similar experiences were shared by the other responders. "The biggest difficulty is the last-minute change of plans," shared Helen.

Laura highlighted the problem of not "meeting on time." Their carpool group faced the issue of "one person needing to leave work early or stay late."

Sonya expressed similar concerns. "A few times one of us has ended up waiting for the other and a few times I had to find another ride home," she said. "Once and only once I used the 'free ride' when I just couldn't get a ride (home)."

Distance from work appears to be a strong motivator for carpool riders I've talked to. Helen, for example, lives 60 miles (one-way) from her office.

That being said, carpooling encompasses aspects beyond mileage, gas prices and vehicle wear and tear. It's also about quality of life and connecting with other people in person. Sharing a ride means the opportunity to share today's news, discuss the weather, check Traffic Alerts and not have to experience traffic delays alone.

Sharing a ride can be a time to wind up for the day, wind down at the end of the day and, if you choose, have continuity about family events and milestones.

With daylight savings ending and winter on the horizon, perhaps you, too, will be motivated to try carpooling and have company for the way home on those dark, cold weeknights.

Is this the year you'll switch your trip?

Our appreciation to all who participated in TripSwitch. Special thanks to Helen T., Laura P., Sonya T. and Tom G. for contributing to this post by sharing their carpool insights and experiences.

Embracing Challenge

Written by Judy Bortman

When you hear the word "challenge," how do you react? Are you eager to learn more and participate? Or does the word "challenge" make you want to run in the opposite direction?

Deciding whether to participate in a challenge is a timely topic that popped into my mind as we prepare to introduce TripSwitch, a free, short-term campaign encouraging people to switch their solo drive for a trip by walking, biking or carpooling. In addition to the sustainable benefits, all participants become eligible for a number of great prizes.

While preparing TripSwitch marketing materials, several questions came to mind:

• Do people ever change from being challenge-phobic to challenge-friendly?
• Would chances to win great prizes and the excitement of competition incent people to modify their behavior for a few days and “switch” to a trip by walking, biking or carpooling?
• Is altering your commute or mode of transportation too challenging? How could I motivate participation? Would naysayers even consider taking part?
• Are people who live in cities more likely to participate because they have access to a train station or bus stop?
• Does the type of challenge matter? Is a test of physical strength appealing to some while a Jeopardy-style trivia game attracts others?

There are two kinds of people...

I kept coming up with questions faster than I could find or figure out answers. It's my belief that people fall into two distinct camps on some matters, such as those who like anchovies on their pizza and those who don't.

Likewise, I suspect that there are people who like to participate in a challenge and those who prefer to stay away. You can’t do either half-heartedly. Either you participate in a challenge or you don't.

A person switching even a few trips would still be considered a TripSwitch participant and eligible to win prizes. I decided to research successful and noteworthy challenges as a Yoda-like way to understand their appeal, discover how to reach people and apply those insights to TripSwich marketing.

A recent, very visible and popular challenge came to mind. The Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Association took the nation by storm thanks to social media. It attracted celebrities and professional athletes as well as everyday folks who endured being doused with a bucketful of ice water in order to raise awareness (and money!) for a worthy cause.

Note: The Ice Bucket Challenge lives on as a Halloween costume.

Nominating a minimum of three people to take the Ice Bucket Challenge was a component that kept the effort going through the late summer. As a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge the ALS Association increased awareness of its mission and received over $100 million in donations from over 700,000 new donors.

So why did the Ice Bucket Challenge catch on? Several reasons, I believe:

• Good timing - It took place during the summer.
• Short duration – The challenge itself took seconds, with just a bit more time for preparation and social media posting.
• Flexible - Participants could choose where and when they were doused and plan accordingly.
• Challenging only yourself – It was a challenge, not a competition. People challenged themselves - to be dunked or not to be dunked. For most, it was a new experience.
• Helping a cause - Increasing awareness of ALS and generating donations made people feel good which overshadowed a momentary chill.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your video on social media was tangible proof of your personal accomplishment and the reward for an act of kindness.

With a nod to Yoda, I saw parallels for The TripSwitch Challenge and motivating people “to do” not just “try”:

• Good timing – TripSwitch is taking place during October, ideal walking and biking weather.
• Short duration – It lasts only 21 days, from October 6th to 26th.
• Flexible - Participants can choose how, were and when they switch their trip.
• Challenging only yourself – Everyone who participates is a winner. People challenge themselves by taking a different mode of travel and feel good about their accomplishment. The more they switch the more chances to win prizes.
• Helping a cause – Improving the air we breathe and reducing traffic congestion are ways that TripSwitch participation helps sustainability.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your TripSwitch ride on our GoForGood Challenge site and sharing on social media is tangible proof of your personal accomplishment as well as an intrinsic reward.
• Increasing awareness – Participating in TripSwitch increases awareness of trip options and hopefully inspires participants to continue walking, biking or carpooling after the Challenge concludes.

 

Whether you prefer to embrace or avoid challenge, TripSwitch is a safe way to step outside your comfort zone. Plus it’s flexible, sustainable, will make you feel good about yourself and it’s free!

TripSwitch is now underway at GoForGood.TransOptions.org, but you can register at any time. We hope you'll join us!

What Employees Want

Written by Anne Adier-Vivino

Is traffic congestion in New Jersey impacting a business's ability to find and keep the talent they desire? For businesses located in the "burbs" of New Jersey, finding and retaining new and upcoming talent could pose more of a challenge as the millennial generation wants to be less reliant on cars and desire a multi-modal transportation system.

A recent study surveyed people aged 18 to 34 across 10 metro regions with varying levels of transit service. From Chicago to Tampa to Los Angeles, young people reported a preference for places that are walkable and transit-friendly. Four in five respondents reported they would like to live in a city where they could get around without a car. And almost three in four said neighborhoods without transit access were less appealing places to live.

Let's face it, getting into, out of and around New Jersey is taking a lot more time due to congested roadways, and with travel times getting longer, the drive to work can be incredibly stressful. With commuters spending more than an entire workweek delayed in traffic every year, getting to work is a leading frustration for employees.

Even in smaller urban areas, commuting is more of a hassle than ever before and as traffic congestion increases, so does its effect on the quality of life, roads and the environment.

Many consider the commute to work as part of their day and after an hour-plus commute, employees are arriving to work overwhelmed and overstressed. This often results in loss of productivity as well as time off due to stress-related illnesses.

Many employees accept this as the reality of their work life, but should they? And will they continue to do so?

The research tells us a resounding NO. The millennial generation, in particular, say that work life balance is of utmost importance and, truthfully, wouldn't we all like more free time in our day to do with as we please, rather than spending it stuck in traffic? There are simple solutions for businesses that can please employees of all generations.

Regardless of the location, employers can continue to attract new talent and retain current talent without offering pricey benefits. Many companies are turning to commute programs, offering employee incentives and solutions that encourage the use of commute alternatives like ridesharing, shuttles, teleworking, bicycle programs and utilizing NJ Transit.

Through these programs, they are successfully attracting and retaining employees. 

When seeking jobs, potential employees who may have otherwise overlooked the suburban location may find that these types of additional options for travel appealing and therefore expand their job searches. Current employees will be appreciative of opportunities that save them time and money. They will also arrive to work less stressed and ready to start their day.

 

Back to School: Fall into Safety

Written by Laura Cerutti

As summer is on its way out, you may be finding your commute falling back into its natural rhythm as autumn creeps in. When June rolled around and schools were let out for the summer, I noticed a significant change in my morning commute to work. The local roads were drastically clearer, the familiar lineup of cars outside the middle school I pass every morning disappeared, and the crossing guard that stops traffic as soon as I approach her crosswalk (I swear she’s trying to make me late) was missing from her usual post. No frantic parents. No children walking or biking. No school buses.

Just like the students, my regular commute went on summer break between June and September. I found myself being able to breeze down the local roads with ease and even started to catch few extra minutes of sleep than I usually would, being that I was able to leave a little later. But I knew this would be short-lived because morning commutes go through seasonal changes of their own that coincide with the school calendar. As soon as the temperature heats up and school is let out in June, the local roads are noticeably clearer and more manageable, but when September rolls around it is right back to the usual hustle and bustle.

Now that this year’s summer break has come to an end, 55 million children across the United States are heading back to school and it is that time of year where school zone back-ups, crossing guards, and school buses reclaim the road. All road users are feeling the “back to school blues” in some way with 20 to 30 percent of morning rush hour traffic attributed to kids being driven to school.  This additional traffic was absent just a few weeks ago and is now back in full swing.

If you pass a school on your commute, like I do, you are probably familiar with the commotion that occurs around school zones. Parents make bold driving maneuvers trying to get a prime pick-up/drop-off spot, cumbersome school buses try to make their exit out of narrow school driveways and on to busy streets, and children are making their way on foot to or from school grounds. You may be in a rush to get to work or you may be a parent trying get your kids in class before the late bell, but after being spoiled by the relaxed roads of summer break, it is time for all road users to get back into their regular groove and exercise extra caution now that school is back in session.

It is true that only 13-14 percent of school-age children walk or bike the full way to school compared to past generations where 50% walked/biked in 1969. But that doesn’t mean children are riding in cars or school buses 100% of their trip to and from school. Kids are still taking to the streets and sidewalks on foot to meet a parent at pick-up time or boarding a school bus in the morning.

The times right before and after school hours are the most dangerous time of day for young people walking. Children ages 10 to 17 years old are one of the most vulnerable pedestrian populations because children are harder to see, are less predictable and lack proper judgment for determining safety. That being said, drivers need to take personal measures to drive safely especially when traveling close to schools or along bus routes.

Think about it. Have you ever overslept one morning and rushed out the door to get caught up in traffic around a school zone or stuck behind a stop-and-go school bus? We all know the feeling you get when you are running late. Anxiety builds with every minute as the time on the clock ticks closer to your start time. Some people take some risky measures to make sure they keep moving and arrive on time by speeding and not giving their undivided attention to the road.  Some drivers may even try to get around a stopped school bus.

The chances of a crash increases when drivers are drowsy, rushing, and/or distracted. A video report from NBC News states that there has been a sudden surge in dangerous driving in school zones or around school buses and every year 100 children are killed and 25,000 are injured in collisions while getting to and from school. The video shows two separate instances (of many reported cases) where drivers failed to stop for school buses and nearly hit children and distracted or careless driving is to blame.

You would think it would be impossible to miss a big yellow school bus stopped in the middle of the road with flashing lights but in 2013 two million more drivers passed school bus stop signs compared to 2011. School buses are the safest form of school transportation, but students are most likely to be hurt stepping on or off the bus. The areas 10 feet around a school bus, especially in front or on the sides of buses, are considered “danger zones” where impatient or distracted drivers are most likely to strike a child pedestrian.

All 50 states have made it illegal to pass a school bus that is loading or unloading students and in New Jersey all vehicles must come to a complete stop 25 feet away from a stopped school bus. This goes for both sides of a two lane road with no physical barrier. Drivers must remain stopped until the road is clear of students and the bus’s flashing lights have turned off. If caught violating this law, NJ drivers are subject to a $100 fine and five points on their driver’s license.

School zones are designed to be safe zones for children with crossing guards, crosswalks and a 25 MPH speed limit.  With schools back in session, motorists must make a conscious effort to travel with extra care to ensure a safe environment in the areas where children travel. This could mean leaving a few minutes earlier, eliminating all distractions, and remaining vigilant to students and school buses. If you are a parent, talk to your children about how they can travel safely to and from school with these tips from the National Safety Council.

Vacationing On Transit

Written by Judy Bortman

Remember the fun of putting on a costume, hiding your identity and being playful, even downright silly. Was the last time that happened on Halloween? Was it recently or when you were a kid? Perhaps you felt that way on your last vacation. I did.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
-Neale Donald Walsch

A recent getaway had me wondering why vacations bring out that sense of adventure and the confidence to try something new. Escaping from our routines, familiar people and settings sets us free and brings an infusion of Indiana Jones bravado to explore new places, foods, ideas and behaviors. In Australia, I gave in to culinary curiosity and tried kangaroo jerky, hiked up hills to dig for geodes, walked on a rope-bridge adventure ride and navigated a foreign transit system.

Taking public transit on vacation can be an adventure, especially for first-time or infrequent users. Transit systems in metropolitan cities, domestic or foreign, are typically user-friendly and cost-effective. Consider the expense of renting a car, paying for gas and parking. (Many hotels charge a parking fee which is often $40 or more per night.)

Inspired by need and convenience during my vacation, I decided to take the train to a family get-together. I walked about five minutes to a suburban station to catch the train to a nearby city. Just to be on the safe side, I arrived early to ask questions, get a ticket and see where to electronically “touch on” my ticket and ask where to “touch off” upon exiting. Electronic signs and billboards let me know how many minutes until the train would arrive and which track to watch. The train ride gave me a chance to relax, see the sights, and reminded me how relaxing and efficient it can be to take public transit.

Wikihow has tips on using public transit when traveling that include getting or printing a map in advance, searching for local transit stations and selecting a hotel near a station or one with shuttle service.

Walking, where feasible, is also a great way to see local sites. Plus, bike share systems are continuing to pop up in many urban areas. Some cities even have bike tours geared for tourists. Just think, using public transit, walking or biking on vacation can save money and leave more in your get-away budget for seeing sights, dining and new adventures that get you out of your comfort zone.

Your experience with public transit may even carry-over to post-vacation life. Consider commuting by train or bus even a few days a week. Just think how nice it would be to have a less stressful ride to and from work, catch up on reading, prepare for a meeting or just relax. Taking public transit for an outing to New York City and walking to your destination is another way to bring that vacation feeling home.

It’s been said that vacations, even if you never leave home, help you unwind, de-stress and recharge. The time away from your routine is often a time to regroup, gain insights, generate new ideas, build confidence for trying new things and bring renewed energy when you return to “real life.”

Whether you’re exploring a U.S. or foreign city, jumping in the water at the Jersey Shore, taking a long bike ride, visiting an amusement park, gazing at exhibits in a museum or observing life while strolling through a nearby city, take a moment to recharge your battery and, if the Halloween spirit moves you, venture outside your comfort zone. It’s certain to be the reason you return to work with a calmer demeanor and a mellow smile, what my daughter calls “vacation glow.” You can try to savor that feeling for as long as you can, or you can bring part of your vacation home and make transit travel an everyday reality.

Why Biking To Work Is Kid-Friendly

Written by Laura Cerutti

Part 2 of 2. Read part 1 here.

Last week we talked about making biking to work with a child more convenient and less difficult, but we understand that there are some safety concerns when it comes to riding with your little ones. After all, it is your natural instinct as a parent to protect your kids. One of the of the dads from the Bike to Work Challenge recommends going slow, making sure your bike is in working order, and ensuring that all of the connections to your child's ride-along apparatus are tight and secure. It is also imperative that your child is wearing a properly-fitted helmet at all times! Now that you know why you should bike to work with your kids, here's how you can get started:

Get the right equipment

Before they are old enough to ride confidently on their own, there are plenty of options for bike seats, trailers and cargo bikes to tow your little one.

REI ($299)

REI (179.95)

The dads from the Bike to Work Challenge both chose to use trailers. One father made arrangements to leave his daughter's bike trailer at her school before continuing his 10 mile trip to work. He then swings by the school to pick up the empty trailer on his ride home. He later informed us that he eventually ungraded to a Weehoo igo trailer that allows his daughter to become an active rider and pedal along with him to propel them forward.

If you have multiple kids, you don't have to pick favorites on who gets to ride with you! It is possible to attach multiple kids to one bike, just check out how this mom from Portland rides with six kids. (Yes! You read that correctly. Six kids, one bike!).

Six kids is no deterrent for this Portland mom.

Plan your route

On a weekend or a day off, ride alone to your child’s school and then ride by work. Time yourself and take note of bike lanes and hazardous intersections. After you are comfortable with your ride, bring your son or daughter along so they can get also get used to the ride and you can get used to them being hitched up to your bike. Once you are both comfortable, get ready to bike to school and work together!

Why Biking To Work Is Kid-Friendly

Written by Laura Cerutti
Part 1 of 2 

Most of us know the countless benefits of biking to work. It is known to relieve stress, elevate mood, and increase work productivity. It is also a major money saver and healthier alternative (for you and the environment) to sitting alone in traffic. Riding to work doesn’t have to stop, or fail to start, because you have a family or young children to take to school. If we know commuting by bike is good for us, why not instill these benefits in our children and take them along as we ride to work?

When confronted with the idea of riding a bike to work and bringing the kids along, most parents jump to the conclusion that it is inconvenient, unsafe and way too difficult. When reaching out to riders for our annual Bike to Work Challenge, we often met interested parents who would love to ride to the office but declined to register, feeling it would be near impossible to get their kids to school and make it to work on time.

This year's Bike to Work Challenge turned out to be a milestone year for TransOptions in many ways, but one of the most significant accomplishment came from two dads who submitted photos of them biking to work with their son and daughter.

These parents showed us that with the right equipment, some preparation, and the right attitude, having your kids ride along with you to work is actually teaching them a valuable lesson. Not only are you spending quality time with them outside the car, but you are also teaching them the importance of a gasoline-free, healthy, and inexpensive way to get to around.

The most important thing you need to do as a bike riding parent, is set a good example by riding responsibly. Studies on teen driving show that your kids start learning how to drive when they are in the car seat. Kids are like sponges, they observe everything, take it all in, and mimic what mom and dad do. If you are an aggressive driver that forgets turn signals, speeds, or talks on the phone while driving, chances are your kids will grow up to display the same unsafe behaviors behind the wheel. 

The same goes for bike riding. While your kids are hitched on to your bicycle, they are watching your every move. Obeying traffic laws, scanning for safety, using proper hand signals, and being friendly to drivers and pedestrians will shape your children’s future bicycling habits. Teaching your kids the valuable lesson of sharing the road will carry over to when they are ready to ride to school on their own, or even better, as adults riding to work.

Check back next Monday for Part 2. We'll show you how you can get started on sharing your bike to work trip with your kids.