Terry J.

A photo from Terry J.'s perspective, looking down at his bike handlebar and saddlebag.

Where do you work and what is your role in the company?  

Parks Tacoma, Capital Program Manager

How far is your commute? How long does it take you each way? 

My commute is roughly 1-mile and I ride my bike to work. It takes me roughly 7 minutes to get to work. I take the bus during the day to meetings downtown to shorten time spent traveling between meetings. 

What is your commute mode and what made you decide to commute this way? 

I commute by bike because it is the best way to move about in an urban environment. I find you can actually get places more quickly because you are not having to find parking. You can pull right up to your destination, lock your bike, and walk in the front door.

What do you enjoy about your commute (or teleworking)? 

Commuting by bike helps me stay connected with the city I live in. You get to know the place more intimately with more opportunity to observe the world around you. It also gives me a physical outlet during the workday, which is especially handy on days when I don't make it to the gym.

Do you have any positive, interesting stories from your commute? 

Commuting by bike has inspired others in my office to also commute by bike. It's great to see people trying it out for the first time!

Do you think you save money by commuting this way? If so, how much? Estimates are fine. 

Yes. I probably save $50 in fuel monthly. 

How does your company help accommodate your commute option? (ex: bike racks, free bus pass, vanpool subsidy, flexible work hours, telework incentives, etc.) 

There isn't much incentive within my organization. They do offer telework options.

What do you recommend your employer did to assist your coworkers with their commute? 

Providing ORCA cards to staff would be a good start. Having showers and bike locker facilities on site would also help promote more people commuting by bike. 

What would you say to your fellow employees to inspire them to try using a commute option other than driving alone in their car? 

Active transportation is one of the healthiest choices you can make each day. The net benefit both to yourself and the world is can really add up over time if you commit!