Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

Thriving Together Series: Commute to Work by Bike for Well-Being

Thriving Together Series

 

By: Patrice Levinson, MSN, FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Services

“I always feel young on a bike.” – Barbara Kingsolver

Maybe you remember riding your bike when you were a kid. Do you recall the wind in your hair, the challenge of pedaling up the hill, and the thrill of coasting downhill at ever-increasing speeds? I remember the feeling very well. I especially remember the freedom that my bike represented. I could go anywhere in my local area, and usually in a very short time. Over the years, I’ve ridden my bike when I can, and I still enjoy biking. Bikes give us a sense of adventure. But beyond that, did you know riding a bike can improve your well-being, mental health, and sense of community? Your commute offers many opportunities to strengthen your well-being along the way – especially if you bike to work.

Commuting to Work by Bike

Two summers ago, I decided to get an affordable e-bike. I wanted to commute to work from my hilly neighborhood. The e-bike would help me navigate the hills and shorten the time for my bike commute. I did not know that my commute would be significantly shorter because I could park the bike outside Student Union Building 1, thus avoiding the long walk from the Rappahannock parking garage. The cost of the bike would be offset by savings on my employee parking pass. It turns out there were many additional perks offered by Mason’s bicycle programs.

Biking to work promised to be fun, time-saving, and cost-effective. What I did not predict was the positive effect my active commuting choice would have on my mental health and my sense of well-being.

Biking Strengthens Different Dimensions of Well-Being

Let’s look at the benefits of an active commute through the lens of the eight dimensions of wellness (well-being) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA), which we discuss in our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at Mason:

  • Emotional well-being: It can be peaceful and fun to ride a bike. Riding my bike centers me and allows me to relax and focus on the environment around me. The earth, the grass, the trees, the shrubs, and the flowers are close enough to touch, which is calming. 
  • Physical well-being: Riding a bike – even an e-bike – provides good physical exercise. I still peddle hard up the hills and stay balanced to coast downhills. Gripping the handlebars builds upper body strength. The workout can be leisurely or intense, depending on your mood.  
  • Occupational well-being: Biking can benefit your work and even your relationships with coworkers. I’ve found increased energy for my workday by biking to work, and I am grateful to have inspired others to bike to work. Several Mason community members have followed my example and are now biking to Mason or carpooling. In addition, several colleagues and occasionally a student will join me for a 30-minute lunchtime walk. Walking with your coworkers at lunchtime is a great way to de-stress, create connections, discuss a variety of topics other than work, and sometimes talk about work in walking meetings. 
  • Social well-being: Biking to work gives you the opportunity to greet your neighbors. When I commute, I see neighbors on their morning or afternoon walks, sometimes with their dogs. Except for a quick wave and a smile, it is almost impossible to greet people from inside a car. Being on a bike removes that barrier. I greet people with “Good morning,” and the dogs with, “Hello cutie.” I sometimes stop and take a few minutes to catch up with my neighbors. Participating in Mason’s Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program is another social benefit of being a bike commuter. Being a bike commuter has introduced me to the fine people who work in Mason’s Parking Services. I get the chance to socialize with them at Bike to Work Day table events, at quarterly Mason Bike Advisory Committee Zoom meetings, and at other events. 
  • Spiritual well-being: The time outdoors on a bike immerses us in nature, where we can encounter inspiration along our commute. While I am biking to work, I appreciate the earth’s wonders – admiring the cloud formations, the snow glistening on the trees, the flowers and trees sprouting and blooming, and more. Every time of the year offers seasonal inspiration that can strengthen our well-being.  
  • Intellectual well-being: Commuting by bike engages your mind. I enjoy planning my route. What is the quickest route to campus? The most scenic? The one where I will greet friendly neighbors? It is also a challenge to figure out how to dress appropriately for the weather. What part of me was cold today (or too hot)? How can I be warm from head to toe tomorrow? I also need to think about other concerns. What maintenance does my bike need for the safest ride? How can I efficiently optimize the space in my backpack? I have even figured out how to bring a casserole in my backpack for a work potluck and ice cream and milk to make milkshakes for our Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill treats!
  • Environmental well-being: Biking to work can help you help the Earth by reducing your carbon footprint. Commuting to work by bike is much more environmentally friendly than commuting by car. Living in an area where most people commute by car allows me to be a role model and advocate for a greener choice.  
  • Financial well-being: Not only am I saving money by not commuting by car – less repairs, less gas, less wear, and tear – but Mason is paying me to bike to work! I enrolled in Mason’s Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program. Depending on how many times I commute during the quarter; the program gives me cash. During most quarters, I commute by bike more than 24 times, yielding a $90 incentive. The Bike Commuter Choice program also provides parking day passes, so I can drive in and park my car on rainy days. For the 24 rides, I earn 9 parking day passes. The program also provides access to showers and other incentives for employees with commutes greater than 10 miles.

How to Use Your Commute for Well-Being in Other Ways

If you are not able to commute to work by biking or walking, think about how else you can use your commute for well-being. Which of the eight dimensions of well-being that we have explored do you currently enjoy as you commute? How would you be interested in making changes to your commute to strengthen your well-being in other dimensions?

Think about making small, incremental changes at first. What is a goal that you could achieve in the next month? In the next three months? Could you pull over and talk to a neighbor for a few minutes? Could you arrive a little earlier and park further away so you can get more steps on your way to work? Could you carpool to meet new people, talk about interesting topics, and save on car expenses? Could you notice one natural wonder each day as you commute and keep a journal of your observations? Small changes can help you feel more relaxed on your commute. They can also increase secretions of positive neurohormones such as serotonin and dopamine into your system. 

If you bike, walk, or find other ways to use your commute intentionally to benefit your well-being, I believe you will notice all sorts of improvements – such as to your mood, energy, stress level, and ability to concentrate and focus. Look forward to all the ways you can strengthen your well-being as you commute to work! 

Additional Resources

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