Jens von Bergmann
How Long have you been commuting?
I walked to elementary school up to grade 4, the school was only 500m from my home. Starting from grade 5 my school was 2.5km away from my home and I commuted by bicycle every day from then on. I biked in college, grad school, and now to work.
Why do you commute?
On the most basic level it is about lifestyle. Cycling is the most natural means (after walking) to get from A to B. Often it's faster than driving once you take the walk from the parking lot to the office into account. Cycling is the most effective means of transportation up to maybe 5 miles, it's impact compares favorably to all other means of transportation (except walking, which I consider impracticable at these distances). It combines the need to get to work with a regular light workout. It keeps my lethargic side in check. It sharpens the mind. I feel good about it. It's a way to promote my ideas of what this world should be like. You actually see your surroundings every day. The town, the people, you breathe the air, not just locked into a box with windows. You feel connected. You see things clearer.
I own a car, and I use it at times, sometimes also to get to work. But I choose to keep my car out of my everyday routine. Driving is an activity that costs 40,000 lives and 2.7 million injuries in the US every year. On top of this come an estimated 30,000 deaths related to pollution caused by cars, and many pollution related health issues. Cycling to work is a choice not to make this toll an integral part of my life. If a child were to run out in front of my car on my way to work, it's to a large extend my choice to drive that killed or injured the child. If I chose to drive an SUV or truck as opposed to a small passenger car, I would have chosen to even further increase my chances of killing the child. Legally I would not be held responsible for this choice. In this culture driving is socially acceptable and it's human cost is considered a necessary evil. But driving to work is not a necessary activity for most of us, and morally I am responsible for the choice of my means of transportation.
How far do you commute?
Right now I commute from downtown to Notre Dame, so about 1 mile. For my taste this is too short of a commute, but this is how my living/working situation worked out. My ideal commuting distance is about 5 miles.
Do you commute all year?
Pretty much, when it gets really slushy I take my car. I hate it when the salt mixed into the slush gunks up my bike.
What type of bike do you ride?
Touring bike.
Do you have any tips for commuting?
Ride on the road, never on the sidewalk, except in order to substantially shorten your commute.
What gear does a person need to commute?
Bike. Fenders. Lights. Lock. Waterproof pannier. Rain gear.
