Alligator

At my previous employer, I had a 22 mile (one-way) commute. Needless to say, I didn't do that very much, if at all. I recently changed jobs, and my new place of employment is only 10 miles away. I did a test drive today with my car when I was out running errands, and found out most of the way is a MUP or dedicated bike lane. There is only one major road I need to cross at a crosswalk, but unfortunately I could end up waiting several minutes for the light to change.

Still, I'm super excited. I ride all year in Minnesota, and my long-term goal is to ride enough to get rid of my car and go car-free! However, to start, I'm going to ride a couple of days per week and work up from there over time.

Is it odd that one of the most important aspects to me about this new job was whether I could bike to work???

flangehead

No. Completely understandable.

randallr

Nice!

RunForTheHills

I love riding my bike to work. It is a great way to start and finish your day. I am always in a good mood when I get to the office.

a1penguin

Not surprising at all! I had a 16 mile each way commute (flat) at my previous job and rode both ways most every day in nice weather. When I left that job I tried not to let the commute aspect bias my decision. Now I bike 22 miles to work in the morning four days a week. The commute home is train and six miles. I have to tell you a 22 mile ride is long enough to really help build fitness.

I hope the new job works out well!

mcours2006

Ten miles you can do everyday, totally. Nice that you've got the MUP too. It's perfect.

essiemyra

I do not think that it is odd that it be important aspect of a new job be that you can bike there. When we were looking to buy a house I would not look at any houses that I were too far so I could not bike commute. We all have our priorities in life.

mcours2006

Where I live the average commute time (with all modes of transport) is 42 minutes, the highest in North America. It's the time spent commuting, but the stress of traffic that is a source of stress for people. If you can shorten your commute by changing jobs or moving closer to work it makes sense, and even more so if you can bike or walk there. The commute is now dual purpose--gets you there and exercise. Win win.

acidfast7

I actually selected my last three jobs based on commutability and made sure to ask explicitly at my last 5 or 6 interviews about bike connectivity and what parts of each city to live in. Some jobs I declined because of the quality of life which often included the ability to cycle into work and the facilities they had present

wphamilton

My own pattern has been job first regardless of where, and then moving to improve the commute. As a criteria when you have a choice of jobs, the ability to bike to work makes perfect sense.

52telecaster

i am semi retired so i can be a little pickier but i always consider a job based largely on the commute. bikes rule man!

Alligator

Just test rode the route today, but on my road bike. 39 minutes, 10.0 miles (one-way). I figure I'll be slower on my hybrid, but I need it for the fenders and rack. The good news is that the ride home is mostly downhill.

mcours2006

That's perfect after a long day at work. Although my 12-mile commute is mostly flat I often curse at the prevailing headwind that normally accompanies my ride home. I'd prefer to face the headwinds in the morning and have an easier time coming home.

PennyTheDog

Congratulations, that's awesome! I'm also in the Twin Cities. Are you on the greenway for your commute?

joelcool

My commute to work is one of the reasons I moved a year ago. Old commute: 37 miles one way, 4000' elevation change. I could only do this on the longest days of the year and rarely did. My old commute was hybrid - load the bike on the car, drive part way, ride to work, then reverse in the afternoon. New commute: 12 miles one way, 550' elevation change. Awesome change.

Abe_Froman

Good for you. I've been transferring between a few locations in Chicago in my company the last couple years. I've got a 12 mile commute each way now through mostly MUP and residential neighborhoods. My favorite was 7 miles each way into a very nice area of the city through bike lanes. 7 miles was short enough that I was comfortable just rolling up my pantleg and going with a shirt and tie, or polo on. 12 miles, with stop lights, intersections, etc is the better part of an hour ride for me...so I feel like I need to gear up for an actual ride each time, rather than just a cruise in normal clothes through the neighborhood. I like both...but the 7 mile commute made things more flexible .

ptempel

OP, you're preaching to the choir here. I'm with you on all of your points. I'd also prefer to live closer to work but am about 24 to 25 miles away taking the GWB route. So to get around the 3+ hour rides daily, I do a park and ride to give myself a break. It also sounds like you are in a good area. I'm looking to eventually do the same and relocate to hopefully a more cycling friendly commute situation. Will see...

HardyWeinberg

10 miles each way would be perfect, my ride is 6 or 7 it's just a hair short.


ps-> we arranged our kids' daycare/preschool options for compatibility with biking from home to work; the last one (before elementary school) didn't have a place to store a trailer or trailabike but they had a roof over some hedges and they let me leave the rig in the hedges.

Alligator

No, but I wish I was, that's a nice path. I'm north of Minneapolis, and have some bike lakes most of the way to work now.

I start just after Labor Day, and I can't wait. I also can't wait until it's -5° F (-20° C) here in the winter. The looks from the people in cars is very motivating. And I have a nice new pair of goggles that I'll wear.

PennyTheDog

Everyone feels differently about this kind of stuff, but for me I love the cold, and dread the snow. Two years ago I hit my personal record cold commute at -20F air temp. But if there's more than an inch of new snow I usually drive. Studded tires make a night and day difference in the winter; I've been really happy with schwalbe marathon winters.

highrpm

I like your idea about prioritizing the cycling to work. And 10 miles each way is a good ride.

Abe_Froman

It's a lot easier to do longer than shorter on the commute...

Archwhorides 

That is funny, I'm usually pissed off by the time I get to work, which puts me in the right frame of mind to deal with my job.

rumrunn6

hey congrats! do they have a shower?

I brought up biking to work & asked if they had a shower at a job interview once. I also asked if they were profitable & gave raises every year. didn't get a 2nd interview & I' wasn't disappointed. not profitable? no shower? I'm not interested

Abe_Froman

Important questions...if you're not desperate to take the first gig offered. Too many people treat interviews as one way conversations.