Let's Get to Work
We've all heard the national guidelines that we need at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. How about working your exercise into your schedule by walking or biking to work? If you don't live close enough to your workplace to walk or bike all the way, consider walking or biking to the bus stop or walking to meet your carpool. Did you know that experts say if you get your exercise in spurts - 10 minutes here, ten minutes there - that you're getting the same benefits as doing 30 continuous minutes?
On this page you'll find some resources to help you walk or bike to work or connect to bus service, rail service, carpools, or vanpools.
Walking and Biking to School
Remember when walking or biking to school was the norm? One of the most important things we can teach our children is how to walk and bike safely to school. Today, attention is being focused on improving safety for children walking or biking to and from school. This page provides resources for students, parents, and educators about getting to and from school safely. You can also find information about existing safe routes to school programs in Arizona or about starting a safe route to school initiative in your own community.
Tips for Bicycle Commuting
Plan your Route
- Think about how far you’re traveling, the amount of traffic, road widths and conditions, and the terrain.
- Drive your selected route looking for wide roads with less traffic or streets with bike lanes. Major streets may not be the ideal choice.
- Ride your route on the weekend watching for hazards (potholes, blind intersections) and time your trip.
Be Safe and Predictable
- Always wear a helmet and signal turns.
- Position yourself to be seen. If the road is too narrow for you and a vehicle, it’s legal and safer for a bicyclist to take the lane.
Carrying Cargo
- Pack your briefcase, lunch, clothes, etc. in front or rear racks, frameless backpacks, baskets, saddle bags and seat bags (panniers), or a trailer. These items are available at bike shops. Be sure to secure your cargo with bungee cord, if necessary.
Pack Tools
- Have your bike tuned and checked at a bike shop before you start commuting.
- Keep a tire pump, patch kit (with spare tube), and small tool kit with you and know how to repair a flat and fix a chain.
- Replace your tires when worn and headlight batteries when dim.
Dress to Commute
- Avoid wearing sandals or high heels.
- Wearing ankle straps will keep your pant legs out of the gears.
- Fenders will keep dirt and mud off your clothes.
Correct Motorist Behavior
Drive cautiously
- Look for pedestrians crossing intersections and in crosswalks
- Give cyclists a "brake" – slow down when they share the road
- Recognize a potentially dangerous situation for a bicyclist and give him/her extra space
Yield to cyclists and pedestrians
- Always yield to pedestrians
- Cyclists may need the entire lane if there is a hazard
- Drivers should give cyclists time to cross intersections
Be considerate
- Don't honk your horn when passing a cyclist
- When parked on the street, watch for cyclists before opening your door
Pass with care
- Give a cyclist plenty of space when passing-at least three feet
- Look over your shoulder after passing a cyclist to make sure they're clear before moving back into position
Watch for kids
- Children on bikes can be unpredictable-slow down
- Don't expect kids to know and follow traffic laws