Some cycle every single day they’re in the office, others are more fair-weather riders. Everyone had something interesting to say and they had advice for people who want to try commuting without a car.

“Its a great way to leave any work stress at work as you ride home and have time to decompress,” Ken Christman, Director of IT said. “It’s a good time for audio books and podcasts too.” His advice to people who want to bike more is, “Stick to the bike routes as much as possible and have fun.

Iris Wu, Architecture walks to work when the weather is nice. She recommends that new walkers or riders find comradery with other people commuting without a car. “It helps me collect my thoughts and provide a break prior to actually working or going home,” Iris says. “It may take longer, compared to driving. I feel good about not creating CO2, I get a workout in by walking 3 miles a day!”
 

Honestly I let the weather impact if I ride or not,” Gemma Fucigna, Architecture said, “but when I preserver on the chillier days I am always grateful I did. I am so much more focused when I bike to work! I feel both more productive and awake.”

According to the 2022 Portland Bureau of Transportation Bike Count Report, “Portland bicycle traffic in 2022 dropped more than a third compared to 2019, to levels not seen since approximately 2005- 2006.” The report also states that in 2021, 2.8% of Portlanders commuted by bike, 3.7% walked, and 4.4% took public transportation.

It cited the pandemic and resulting work-from-home changes as a major reason for the declines.

Wendell Mueller, Architect and Associate Principal recommends newer riders find a buddy to ride with and just try it to see how they like it. “It is a fun way to get to and from the office. It is a small gesture for saving planet earth. It helps our community by relieving traffic congestion.”
 

“Don't just take the most direct route,” Ben Bliss, Assistant Department Head, Marketing says about commuting to work by bike. “Find a route that's nice and that you enjoy and use that one.” For Ben, cycling to work makes for more productive, better-balanced days.

“I feel that cycling to work does invigorate me which helps improve my performance at work,” Joe Fitzsimmons, Associate, Structural Engineering said. “It also keeps me out of a car and away from most auto traffic which can be frustrating to deal with. I think if you're able and feel motivated to do so, you should give biking to work a try.”
 

“Find a buddy,” Kitty Younger, Assistant Department Head, Architecture recommends to newer riders. “When I first started biking to work, I found a bike-commuting coworker who lived near me to help show me the route. It made the whole experience more accessible and fun.”

“You don't need fancy gear to ride your bike,” Kitty adds. “You can be fast, you can be slow, it doesn't matter as long as it puts a smile on your face to be out in the fresh air and moving your body. It makes me feel energized when I come into work and helps me center myself after a long day.”

According to the US Census Bureau, 616,200 people regularly commuted to work in the United States by bicycle in 2021.

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