Since moving into the city that I work in (I lived 40km outside the city previously) I have tried to walk to work every day. I’ve missed a few here and there but for the majority I’ve relied on my own two feet to get me to the office. I walk a little farther than most would (3.2km or 2.0 Miles one way) to get to my office but I’ve found it to be quite rewarding. It only takes 35-40 minutes.
Some things I’ve noticed:
- I feel fantastic. Walking to work has infinitely increased my physical exercise
- I walk in the first five minutes what the average American walks in a day (or put another way – I walk in a day what the average American would walk in 2.5 weeks)
- It’s very good for your wallet and your soul
- Our society is built around cars not people
- People who walk generally smile, say hello, and make way for other people
- It is mostly stress free. No worries about speeding tickets, accidents, etc
- Gore-Tex is a worthy investment
- Buying the best shoes, jacket, hat, rain pants, gloves, scarves, socks, backpack, and clothes is drastically cheaper than filling up with gas and making car & insurance payments
I’ve walked in a few very windy very wet days and have survived. I actually enjoyed a few of the walks in the rain. The cold is coming soon and it will present a whole new set of challenges. Balaclavas and winter attire have been ordered. I’ll let you know in a few months how walking in -20c goes.
Comments
harold jarche - November 24, 2004 8:41 pm
I've lived in about 20 places in my life, and only twice have I had to drive to work. I have walked, run, cycled, snowshoed and skied to work at one time or another. I have done this in ALL kinds of weather, and it is not that difficult. You'll also find that you will continue to have a lot more energy.
For the 4.5 years when I "had" to drive, I hated it. Perambulating is the natural way to get to work, and I must say that it's good for the mind. Unfortunately you will find that you are going against the grain, as all of our processes and systems are built around the car. Remember that any difficulties you may have in Charlottetown are nowhere near as bad as Windsor ON, a city dominated by the automobile (been there, done that).
Keep going Dan!
Cyn - November 24, 2004 9:29 pm
Layers Dan...that's the key. And for me, studded tires are a dream.
Dave - November 24, 2004 10:05 pm
The -20 thing is not too bad; I walk about 30-40 minutes, each way, to work in it every winter. The key, as Cyn says, is layers. Music, as well, helps you take your mind off how much that wind is tearing up your exposed skin.
You'll eventually get the intuition of when you're going to be splashed too. Drivers.
Ross - November 25, 2004 1:06 am
When people see you walking to work wearing that balaclava, they're gonna say, "Whoa! That's a ninja!" I'd suggest you start training, so those people aren't let down.
Will Pate - November 25, 2004 6:12 am
People looked at me like I had two heads when I sold my car in the summer, planning instead to move downtown and use two feet and a heartbeat to get around. All in all I feel better, spend less money (even if it's a 10 minute walk, you think twice about going for fast food or other unnecessary purchasing trips) and get to smile and say "hi" to more people everyday now.
You're right; the travel costs are way cheaper too - even if I spend $200 on a new shell jacket, $100 on a new pair of sneakers (done) and splurge on something like two pairs of lined winter jeans I'm still just a little over the cost of one month's worth of car insurance and and gas. That's outside the price of buying and upkeep of the car itself.
Robert Paterson - November 25, 2004 9:33 am
I recall that owning a car averages out at about $6,000 a year when you add in depreciation, insurance etc.
Robin and I now have 2 cars but when we lived in downtown Ctown we had only one and put about 10K on it a year. While property prices may be higher downtown the running costs are much lower.
The health effects are significant. Some of the fittest people in the world live in New York and Paris. Why? because they walk everywhere.
I get upset when I keep hearing people moan on about obesity - did you see that PEI is now #1 - the simplistic answer is more education. What bull! The real issue is structural. You are right Dan walking in Ctown is difficult because the design is for cars only. Biking is even worse. I don't know how Cyn does it. Try crossing the Hillsborough Bridge and then turn left onto the Bunbury Road.
More people living downtown is how downtown also revives cities. More bull. Business does not drive residents. Residents drive business. I despair sometimes. Do policy makers every read anything about cities? The literature is clear. High density living = vibrant coommunities. But no the party line is to try and get business to come back.
I commend all you SO's and Reinvented types in that you are putting your money where your mouth is and are doing so much to turn the corner.
Cyn - November 25, 2004 11:09 am
I know of no city where walking and cycling has been priority when it comes to design and structure. Although there are great walking/cycling paths in many Cadian cities, the general car-riding public 'forgets' that they are not the only ones using the roadways.
I get along just fine, it's not ideal but if I waited for the ideal I'd get fat. The more people walk and ride their bikes, the more power we have as a group to change things. In the meantime we make do and risk it.
One of my secret little thoughts while riding:
If I think I'm a car then I am one.
Dan James - November 25, 2004 11:28 am
Ross - I have already trained to be a Ninja (trying to find a picture online to prove so but am having problems locating it).
Dave & Cyn - Layers, LAyers, LAYers, LAYErs, LAYERs, LAYERS!!!! I'm a big fan. From the polypro long johns all the way out to the gore-tex shell.
All - To get away from the CARnage I've opted to walk a little longer route (it take 45 minutes or so) via the rails to trails. It's great. I get to see ducks, chipmunks, and sometimes and entire class from Birchwood Junior high walking to the UPEI Pool. I was a skeptic of the trails until now. A LOT of people seem to use them. They should be protected from future exploitation. Oh, and if they're wondering what they should do with the Eperimental Farm property? They should put up windmills - it's the windiest place in the city.
Will Pate - November 25, 2004 1:19 pm
Yeah, the trails do get used a lot. When I was biking downtown and back about once a day from the University area, I rarely saw less than a dozen people.
Good call on the windmills at the experimental farm! That's the best idea for the land I've heard yet.
Jim Ewing - December 9, 2004 1:15 pm
Ok, we have to get the Segway into this conversation somewhere . . .
Dan James - December 9, 2004 1:31 pm
I do see a LOT of people while I'm on the trails/walking downtown. I'm sure if you asked nicely I'd ride one of your segways with an ad on it or something ;-)
Jim, how do they do with snow/ice/slush/freezing temps?