Does your morning commute leave you stressed by the time you get to school or work? Sick of paying bus fare, MAX fare or for gas just to get there? Tired of being stuck on a bus full of strangers or packed in a compact car with four annoying carpoolers? Well, the answer to your problems is right under the four inches of dust resting on your bicycle.
Bike to happiness
Does your morning commute leave you stressed by the time you get to school or work? Sick of paying bus fare, MAX fare or for gas just to get there? Tired of being stuck on a bus full of strangers or packed in a compact car with four annoying carpoolers? Well, the answer to your problems is right under the four inches of dust resting on your bicycle.
A study by Portland State urban studies doctoral candidate Oliver Smith found that commuting by bike creates a more enjoyable commute even when factoring in distance, income and other logistical issues.
Based on survey results from 828 people taken from January and February 2012, the study found bikers enjoy the most pleasurable commute. Solo drivers (who represent 58 percent of Portland’s commuters) and bus riders have the least enjoyable commuting experience. Factors that brought down the scores of auto-commuters were traffic congestion, crowded transit vehicles and travel times above 40 minutes. Walking took second behind biking.
While Smith’s study discussed the influence of the above factors, there are other, less tangible benefits that come with biking to work or school rather than driving or being driven. For one, the release of endorphins through exercise.
As you bike to campus or work, your brain releases endorphins that lock onto opioid receptors and block pain transmitters while producing euphoric-like feelings—just like opiates. This is primarily why exercise is prescribed to individuals dealing with depression.
In this way, science backs Smith’s claim: Riding a bike is scientifically proven to create happiness, even if the euphoric feeling wears off soon after locking up your bike. Even so, the short, natural high makes that commute a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
Another aspect of commuting by bike that isn’t easily researched and recorded but surely contributes to a happier morning is the sense of self-fulfillment you experience. While biking you can acknowledge that you’re making an effort to enhance your life by choosing a healthy mode of transportation. By biking, you’re exercising, saving money and developing a healthy habit that may lead to other healthy choices.
One day you might choose to ride your bike to school or work; the next day you figure you might as well stop eating fast food. Often mistaken for pretentiousness, a sense of self-fulfillment is the pride we take from making good life decisions. Biking to school or work rather than driving can make for a happier commute because of this pride.
The sheer enjoyment of riding a bike also creates a happier commute. I currently live close enough to campus to walk, which is a real luxury, but I do miss my old commute from Northeast Alberta Sreet. Contrary to what some might think, biking to campus from Northeast Alberta and 10th Street isn’t a long commute. After becoming familiar with the best routes, I could make the trip in roughly 18 minutes. My walk from the Goose Hollow area is 10 minutes, so you can see just how fast you could get across town by bike.
In addition to the shorter-than-expected commute time, biking to campus was great because it was such a peaceful way to wake up.
I’m not the type who wakes up two hours before I leave the house. I wake, shower, dress, maybe grab a quick bite, and then I’m out. Peddling out of the morning grogginess was the best way to wake up. Fresh air, a cool breeze, the sound of whizzing down the street and the slight physical exertion made for an excellent way to shake off the desire to be back in bed.
Riding was peaceful, quiet and provided me with a great few minutes to plan my day. When I got to campus, I was wide awake from the ride and ready to tackle anything.
So, in addition to it being healthier for you and healthier for the environment, riding your bike to school or work does wonders for your morning routine. I may have had to get up a few minutes earlier, but it was worth it to get here feeling so awake, peaceful and fresh.
