Work Commutes That Actually Improve Your Health
These eco-friendly options save on energy, and they double as the day’s exercise. (Photo: Baycycle Project)
Studies have shown that folks whose commutes average an hour or longer are the most unhappy people in the world. If you’re one of the millions slogging to work every day, here’s some food for thought. Ditch the gas-guzzling ride for a healthier and more sustainable daily routine that you’ll actually look forward to. We’ve rounded up some pretty inventive rides that have turned a soul-sucking ritual into inspiring alternatives that beat being stuck in traffic or crammed in a subway car any day.
Zip Line (PHOTOGRAPH BY DENGE DENGE)
In Los Pinos, Colombia, kids travel to school by zip line, crossing a ravine with a drop of more than 1,000 feet. The course runs on two cables, one going into town in the morning and one heading back toward the mountain village in the afternoon. Small children have to be carried in fabric bags so that they stay safe when the zip line hits high speeds.
Kite Surf (PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID GRIMES)
Kite surfing to work requires a check of the morning’s wind speed before hitting the water. A good day means averaging about 20 miles per hour, sometimes the same speed as a rush-hour drive. A quick change from wetsuit to business suit readies Brit David Grimes—who may be the only guy in the U.K. to kite surf from his beach home in Shoreham to his office in Brighton.
Ski (PHOTOGRAPH BY EDMONTON FREEZEWAY)
In many snowy climes, people are strapping on skis for a cross-country commute to the office. It’s a great eco-friendly alternative to driving, which is dangerous in snow and ice. Matt Gibbs, a landscape architecture graduate from the University of British Columbia, took this idea a step further and devised a plan for a seven-mile Edmonton Freezeway, which could be implemented as early as next winter. The manmade ice trail, maintained by a Zamboni, would create a path for commuters to ice skate their way to work. In the summer, the Freezeway would morph into a bike path.
Water Bike (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BAYCYCLE PROJECT)
The Bay Area is known for its outdoorsy attitude and innovative ideas, so it goes without saying that its denizens have worked up clever commutes. Perhaps no more so than Judah Schiller, CEO of design think tank AIKO and founder of the BayCycle Project, who built an entirely new mode of transportation by perching a mountain bike over a pontoon. As science geeks already know, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman tried to replicate this on Mythbusters. Would you give it a go?
Run (PHOTOGRAPH BY ISTOCK)
Not surprisingly, running to work is all the rage. There’s even an Atlanta-based blog dedicated to it. Running doesn’t require any fancy equipment (except for a good pair of shoes), and as long as your office has a shower, you’re good to go. The second annual Run to Work Day just passed, but the Road Runners Club of America is promoting a Run@Work Day in September. Plus, just like biking, there’s a movement to make the costs of running to work tax-free.
Kayak (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ORU KAYAK)
People living by river or bay are increasingly turning to canoe or kayak to avoid rush hour and mind-numbing gridlock. The key here is to pack work clothes and belongings in a dry bag. And this skillfully designed fold-up kayak by Oru makes toting your ride much more manageable.
Bicycle Lift (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CYCLOCABLE)
Biking to work has become de rigueur, but Norway has the answer to making it up the steepest of hills. The city of Trondheim has the first and only bike liftcalled CycloCable. To operate, you pick up a free key card from the bike repair shop up the street and then kick back in your seat as a recessed cable lifts you 400-plus feet to the top.
Related: How To Bike To Work Even In The Rain
Standup Paddle Board (PHOTOGRAPH BY ROB HUTCHISON)
Portland is a hot spot for this active form of commuting, recommended for experienced SUP-ers. Outdoorsman and SUP racer Cyril Burguiere notes that a dry bag in backpack form is essential, and you’ll have to look for a marina close to the office to store your board.
By Allison McCarthy
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