Bicycling and walking can help to reduce roadway congestion. Many streets and highways carry more traffic than they were designed to handle, resulting in gridlock, wasted time and energy, pollution, and driver frustration. Bicycling and walking require less space per traveler than automobiles. Roadway improvements to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles can also enhance safety for motorists. Walking and cycling are healthy, quiet, clean, economical, and fun ways to get to work.

Cycling in the Baltimore Region	Cycling in the Washington Region
Biking to work can be easy, especially if you plan your ride ahead of time and use the available information to get prepared. Once you have a plan bicycle commuting is simple. And it becomes easier the more you do it. Three to five-mile trips made in a city can often be faster by bicycle. Many areas have bike lanes. Or…you can take a scenic ride on the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, the North Central Rail Trail, the Gwynns Falls greenway, or the Jones Falls stream valley. Those who live farther away will be happy to know that you can easily combine a commuter, light rail or subway trip with a bike trip. You may take your bicycle on the Light Rail and Metro Subway. On MARC, you may take a folded bicycle in a carrying case. Secure bike parking may be rented at more than a dozen stations. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) has created the: Bicycle Commuter Resource Guide Employer Guide to Bicycle Commuting. Check out these other great resources: Why commute by bicycle? Choosing a route Safety Maintenance Accessories Comfort & fit Other bike resources Give it a try - Join us for Bike-to-Work Day!	Commuter Connections has a guide designed to ease the transition to bike commuting for Washington metropolitan area employees and to help employers encourage this smarter way to work. Basic Rules and Safety Bikes & Transit Bikes and Park & Ride Lots Information Guide Resources Bicycle Routing Bike to Work Day

Walking

Consider your general health and the route to work when deciding if this commute alternative is right for you. You may want to begin slowly, one or two days a week, gradually building up to walking full-time. Typically, most walkers commute about two miles one-way to work. Other considerations:

• Select a good pair of walking shoes, and appropriate clothing.
• Try a practice run on a weekend to see how long it takes.
• Find a co-worker or friend who walks and commute with them.

Walking Safety

• Walkers generally need sidewalks, crosswalks, and signaled intersections in areas with heavy traffic.
• A weekend test commute may uncover routing problems and will indicate how much time to allow.
• Most likely you will be walking during rush hour; however, consider general lighting and the neighborhoods you travel through in off-peak hours.
• If walking at dawn or dusk, consider reflective wrist or leg bands.

Dealing with Business Clothes

Typically there are two categories of walking: "leisure walking" and "power walking." Leisure walking is slower paced and allows the walker to dress in his/her work attire and carry parcels. You may want to consider leaving a dress pair of shoes at the office.

Power walking is fast paced (almost a slow jog) and is best done in gym clothes. One of the biggest obstacles to power walking to work is the need for professional attire at the office. Some health clubs offer "runner’s" memberships, where, for a reduced rate, you can use the showers and locker rooms.