Bike To Work

Everyone knows that it sometimes costs money to make money. What this means is that even though most of us have to work at a job 9 to 5 every day to make money, it is costing us to do this, i.e. gasoline for our car or bus or train fares, health care costs resulting from sedentary commutes, and costs to our environment to burn fossil fuels for transportation to work. So what can we do? Simple...use your bike! You'll feel healthier and increase your wellness. Here's how:

Let's assume you don't already have a bike. If so, then your first step is to go to your local bike shop and ask for some recommendations. A good bike shop can even measure you to find which bike has the best fit and what types are conducive to the commute you will make to work. After you have the bike, and of course a helmet, then your next step is to decide the "how" part of your journey. Will you be biking all the way to work? Will you bike to a bus stop or a train station? If this is the case, where will you keep your bike during the workday?

You may need to purchase a good bike lock to keep your wheels secure while you're away. This doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition, either. Some biking is better for the earth and your body than no biking at all, so if you just can't do it every day, don't fret. Just get out there! Biking improves wellness!

Something else to consider is the sweat-factor. When you get to work, especially on hot days, or if you have a long bike ride to work, you will be sweaty and consequently, stinky. This isn't a problem if your job has a gym and showers. However, if you don't have that luxury, you'll have to improvise. Your best course of action is a change of clothes and some deodorant. You could also bring some wipes to "shower" before your workday, and a hair brush is a good idea too. However, don't let the sweat factor prevent you from contributing to world wellness!

Be prepared to field questions regarding your new-found wellness hobby from coworkers. They will no doubt be curious as to what brought on this change in athletic prowess and how they can do the same to improve their wellness and health. Make sure to share how much money you're saving with your green mode of transportation, not to mention the benefits biking gives to yourself and our world.

Riding your bike to work means you are joining a growing number people doing their small part to improve not only their health and wellness but that of the planet. If enough people are interested, your company might consider funding a bike to work wellness program so that everyone can feel as good as you! So consider yourself a trailblazer!