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ANOTHER WAY TO GET THERE

It might be time to explore alternate ways to commute. These options continue to catch steam.

With gas prices sky high and staying there, some workers are exploring more grounded alternatives for their daily commute.

TRY TWO WHEELS

One of those options is biking to work. During the past decade, you've probably seen more bike lanes and bike racks pop up in Florida and across the country. While it's estimated that only about 1 percent of people bike to work regularly, about 41 percent of work commutes are less than 5 miles, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety. For many, that's a fairly easy distance to bike. And it should come as no surprise that employees who live and work in cities are more likely to bike to work.

Walking and biking can save traffic

congestion, gas money and even, in some

cases, time and safety is a concern.

You can support this alternative means of transportation by promoting bike-to-work days around your office. Also, make sure employees have a place to store their bikes inside if bike racks are not available.

HOOF IT

For those who live within a few miles of work, walking is another great alternative. Apart from some good walking shoes, there's no gear required. The health benefits of a roundtrip walk or cycle to work are many. Your employees will burn calories and arrive at work refreshed.

While walking and biking can save traffic congestion, gas money and even, in some cases, time, safety is a concern. Employees should take responsibility for their personal safety. However, assess the pedestrian access on work property.

GROWING TREND

These simple and affordable transportation options are far more popular than they were in 1990. The number of reported walking trips has more than doubled, from 18 billion in 1990 to 42.5 billion in 2009, according to the National Bicycling Study 15-Year Status Report. Bicycling trips have increased from 1.7 billion to 4 billion in the same time span. The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to do better, though. Federal funding for safe walk to school routes is expected to help communities around the U.S.

Try to support your employees who want to switch up their commute. You might even want to give it a whirl yourself.

How Much Can Each Person Save?
Kiplinger has an online calculator to determine cost savings from biking to work. Check it out at
www.kiplinger.com/tools/bike/.