Bostons Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons :: Journalism Journalistic Papers

Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons Professor Jim Ross begins his morning routine just like most people. After slamming the alarm clock a few times, he throws on sweats, eats a wholesome breakfast, and brushes his teeth. As a bicycle commuter in Boston, he is almost ready to go. Ross straps on a helmet, puts his work suit in his backpack, and begins his short commute. Fifteen minutes after he leaves his Brookline home, the Northeastern University journalism professor locks up his bike in front of the gym, where he showers and gets dressed before walking a few blocks to his office. The same commute would take 45 minutes on the T. Bicycle commuters are a common sight on the streets of Boston. With the environmental, health, and monetary benefits, many bicycle commuters wonder why only .4 percent of the Massachusetts workforce ride their bike to work. Riding a bike to work can be faster than taking your car or riding the T. On a bike, a person is able to bypass heavy morning traffic jams, eliminate the time it takes to find a parking spot, and arrive to work refreshed. A bike commuter is multitasking by getting from point A to point B and getting some exercise in at the same time. "I bike because it's faster than the T and, in the city, less frustrating than a car," said Mike Burns, a computer science middler at Northeastern University who commutes 15 miles to campus everyday from his home in Wakefield, Mass. "Basically, I bike because I don't have the patience to commute in any other way." Like other forms of exercise, bicycling can help with weight problems. It lowers cholesterol and the heart rate. It is a mood enhancer, as well, proving it's physical and mental benefits. "You don't have to wait for anything, you don't have to pay for anything," said Travis Farrenkopf, a music industry middler at Northeastern University, who is also a bicycle messenger. "You can go anywhere –- straight to where you want to be. You can't do that on the T." Many people don't consider a cycle commute to work because they are worried about their safety on the road. "I am constantly worried about running into cars, pedestrians, etc." said Ali Gallant, a criminal justice middler at Northeastern University. "I am especially nervous because even if I am biking safely, the actions of others can have an impact on my safety and health. Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons :: Journalism Journalistic Papers Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons Professor Jim Ross begins his morning routine just like most people. After slamming the alarm clock a few times, he throws on sweats, eats a wholesome breakfast, and brushes his teeth. As a bicycle commuter in Boston, he is almost ready to go. Ross straps on a helmet, puts his work suit in his backpack, and begins his short commute. Fifteen minutes after he leaves his Brookline home, the Northeastern University journalism professor locks up his bike in front of the gym, where he showers and gets dressed before walking a few blocks to his office. The same commute would take 45 minutes on the T. Bicycle commuters are a common sight on the streets of Boston. With the environmental, health, and monetary benefits, many bicycle commuters wonder why only .4 percent of the Massachusetts workforce ride their bike to work. Riding a bike to work can be faster than taking your car or riding the T. On a bike, a person is able to bypass heavy morning traffic jams, eliminate the time it takes to find a parking spot, and arrive to work refreshed. A bike commuter is multitasking by getting from point A to point B and getting some exercise in at the same time. "I bike because it's faster than the T and, in the city, less frustrating than a car," said Mike Burns, a computer science middler at Northeastern University who commutes 15 miles to campus everyday from his home in Wakefield, Mass. "Basically, I bike because I don't have the patience to commute in any other way." Like other forms of exercise, bicycling can help with weight problems. It lowers cholesterol and the heart rate. It is a mood enhancer, as well, proving it's physical and mental benefits. "You don't have to wait for anything, you don't have to pay for anything," said Travis Farrenkopf, a music industry middler at Northeastern University, who is also a bicycle messenger. "You can go anywhere –- straight to where you want to be. You can't do that on the T." Many people don't consider a cycle commute to work because they are worried about their safety on the road. "I am constantly worried about running into cars, pedestrians, etc." said Ali Gallant, a criminal justice middler at Northeastern University. "I am especially nervous because even if I am biking safely, the actions of others can have an impact on my safety and health.