Driving has been one of the most popular methods of transportation in the U.S. for decades. It’s typically the quickest way to get to where you want to go, whether it be going to work or to the gym for exercise. Between the price of gas and the influx of traffic in many major cities, finding different ways to get around has been a priority for many Americans.
Adopting an active commuter lifestyle is a healthy and satisfying way to travel. It’s hard to fit exercise into your busy day, so incorporating it into your commute is an ideal way to knock out both objectives at the same time. But there are certain struggles with traveling by non-car methods, and we’ll try to give some of the best tips to overcome these issues.
We’ll give some of the best pedestrian safety tips so you can make sure you’re safe when walking along streets and other congested areas. We’ll also talk about the financial benefits of dropping vehicle transportation and discuss how to get creative when figuring out how to get where you want to go. These are the benefits of an active commuter lifestyle.
#1 – You’ll Save Money on Car Expenses
Driving is a very expensive activity. Between the huge gas prices, the monthly rates for car insurance, and the maintenance required to keep your car running, there’s a lot of money that is spent on car expenses. Deciding to drive less is a great way to save a ton of money on these things.
There are certain expenses to traveling by foot or bicycle, though. You need to find some reliable shoes to wear if you’re going to be walking or jogging more frequently. Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive.
Shop for fashionable footwear trends that are trusted, yet affordable in the footwear space. Going to Kohl’s or the Nordstrom Rack is a great way to find some shoes that fit this description. Talk to other people who commute this way and they may be able to give suggestions on the types of shoes you should wear.
You’ll have to buy more water and nutritional snacks if you’re going to be exercising on your commute. Shop for sales and get online coupons to ease this expense. Overall, though, the costs of an active commute are much cheaper than car commuting.
#2 – You’ll Get to Exercise Outside More Often
One of the struggles of a home exercise program is not finding enough opportunities to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. People exercise indoors because of the machines and equipment that are beneficial to them, but they’re missing out on some of the other benefits of outdoor exercise. Commuting while exercising will provide you with these perks.
Walking or bicycling outside allows you to enjoy the scenery of the outdoors. Indoor exercise gets boring because you look at the same four walls inside your house or the gym. When you’re outside, there’s always something new to see. You can take a different route to your destination, look at the birds, gaze at the trees, and smell the scents of the season.
Depending on how far away you are from your job or errand, you might be limited in which route you can take. Walking 15 miles to your work is not ideal, so choose something more time-efficient like bicycling, tricycling, or even riding a scooter.
#3 – Being a Pedestrian Gives You a Different Perspective
When you never use any other type of transportation besides a car, you lose perspective on what it’s like to be a pedestrian. Drivers are often inconsiderate of people who walk on the side of the road, but if the roles are reversed more often, drivers will learn what it’s like to be a pedestrian on a daily basis.
Make sure you’re safe when you are on the sidewalk. Always stay in the bike line if there is one while bicycling. Don’t ride your bike on the sidewalk, as this can be dangerous for walkers. You need to think about what time of day you’re walking or bicycling to work, too.
Being a pedestrian after dark is a very dangerous thing. Wear bright clothing with reflective tape on the sides so cars can see you. Never walk anywhere but the sidewalk after dark. When you walk early in the morning and during rush hour in the winter, the risk of getting hit goes up tremendously.
Understand the area you’re a pedestrian in. Small towns with a low population are easier to stay safe in. If you’re walking in a busy city with a lot of traffic, there’s a higher chance of getting hit.
You also need to be careful in the winter when there’s more snow and slush. Cars are more likely to slide off the road and crash into pedestrians. Get a good pair of snow boots and stay clear of the traffic.
#4 – You’ll Help the Environment
One of the biggest reasons people want to drive less is to help save our precious planet. The carbon let out of motor vehicles is hazardous to the environment, and the influx of electric vehicles and hybrids shows how much companies and customers care about changing for the better.
These vehicles are often very expensive, leaving walking, biking, rollerblading, and scooter riding as much more affordable alternatives to the electric vehicle craze.
It makes most of us feel really good when we know we’re doing good for not only ourselves but everybody around us when we choose to not use gasoline-powered vehicles.
#5 – You’ll Avoid the Stress of Road Rage
Road rage is one of the most stressful things that happens to the best of us when we’re driving or if we are learning how to drive a car. People are irritable before and after work, and simple mistakes on the road can anger people around us. One thing leads to another, and soon you’ve got people making threats, swearing, swerving, and doing dangerous things out of anger.
When you’re an active commuter, you don’t need to worry as much about road rage. Yes, pedestrians can still be mad at the way they’re treated, but the driver will have left the scene of the conflict. When two drivers are both in a vehicle, they have the chance to follow each other and continue to make threats.
You can see how great it is to be an active commuter. Between seeing the outdoors, enjoying the lack of traffic, and avoiding expenses on gas and car repairs, there’s a lot to love about not driving.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. He wants to help people understand why they should consider becoming active commuters.