May is National Bike Month with special Bike to Work events occurring throughout the month in cities across the country.  It’s time to pump some air into your tires and get out there!  Biking to work is such an enjoyable way to commute.  You get fresh air, your heart gets pumping and you’re doing a good thing for the environment while you’re at it. 

The Today show and Self Magazine ran a special segment on biking to work last week.  According to the segment, 50% of American’s live within 5 miles of work.  And if you bike to work three times a week, the average person will lose 10 pounds in one year.  Now think of how much weight you could lose if you bike more than 5 miles three times per week. 

If you don’t have a bike, borrow one, rent one or buy one.  Bikes choices have expanded lately.  You don’t have to have an expensive road or mountain bike.  Try out a comfort bike, a beach cruiser, ones with greaseless chains (so you don’t get grease on your dress paints), and ones that fold to fit into your cubicle.  Your local bike shop will be happy to help you find the perfect bike for you.

Many cities throughout the country are planning group rides throughout the month.  Check out www.bikeleague.org for information about special events in your area.  It’s safe.  It’s good for you.  You’ll save gas money.  It’s let’s stressful.  And it’s good for the planet.  I hope to see you in the bike lanes!

Many of us are familiar with the great feature of Google Maps – we use it to get to Point to Point B – usually printed out before we drive some place. Last year I was pretty pleased to find out that Google Maps implemented walking directions into their maps functions. There are a few reasons why I was happy that this came about:

1. Public health and the reduction of obesity
2. Walking is good for your health
3. Environmental health – reduce needless auto emissions
4. Gas prices aren’t always where you want them to be

If you think about it, wouldn’t you rather figure out that you could get to your destination at the same time (maybe leave a bit earlier) and not have to pay a cent in fuel? Now I can understand not wanting to lug armloads of groceries down the street – that’s cool and makes sense. But what about going to the movies? Just leave a bit earlier and take a nice walk, especially since Fall is just about here. Think about making it a family event with the kids.

I popped in random addresses in the Triangle area (that were reasonably close by) on Google Maps and saw this:

You see the WALKING option plainly offered right? Another great thing will need to be paid attention to as communities center around healthier, alternate methods of transportation – it’s easy to find.

Something important I thought about was that this shows another way in which we make technology work for us – for our own benefit. Now it’s just up to us to actually use it.

So next time you aren’t in a rush to get to your destination, check to see if you can get there by using some free transportation: your own two feet.