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The big, blue expanse of the Bay stretches out for miles as we cut across it, making our way to the San Mateo County shoreline. From my seat on the upper deck of the San Francisco Bay Ferry, I open my laptop and get a head start on the workday. Seabirds fly alongside us as the morning sunshine slowly breaks through the fog. About 40 minutes pass and the familiar pillars of the marina catch my eye as we pull into the South San Francisco Ferry terminal. I pack up, grab my bike from the back deck of the ferry, tap my Clipper card, and ride along the Bay Trail to my office. I arrive feeling productive from the ferry ride and energized from bicycling.
Growing up, I always pictured myself entering the workforce after college and driving my car to and from work — as is the norm. I certainly never imagined my commute to involve traveling by boat. Now, I would not have it any other way. I am right on-brand with my Sustainability Service Corps fellowship host site, Commute.org, a public agency in San Mateo County that encourages commuters to use alternative transportation modes rather than driving alone to work. The agency envisions a region where all residents and workers have access to equitable, sustainable, affordable, and safe transportation options and works to reduce drive-alone miles to reduce traffic, help the environment, and improve quality of life in the county.
The benefits I get from taking public transportation and biking far outweigh the ostensibly convenient drive. For one, the combined expenses of the Bay Bridge toll, gas, and car maintenance are greater than the cost of my ferry ticket and bicycle upkeep. On the ferry, I can also maximize my commute time by getting a head start on my workday or catching up on social media, rather than sitting frustrated and stuck in traffic. Riding my bike to and from the ferry also helps me exercise and boosts my energy levels throughout the day.
Beyond the personal advantages, there is also a significant environmental benefit to ditching your car. As a fellow, I am learning about just how important sustainable transportation is in mitigating climate change — particularly in reducing carbon emissions. In fact, the transportation industry is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the State of California and made up to 40% of the total emissions in the Bay Area, according to a report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute. Decreasing your dependency on driving alone can be a positive habit for both you and the planet.
Don’t just take my word for it — many others have shared the personal, economic, and environmental reasons why they choose to make non-drive-alone trips. Each year, Commute.org hosts the Commuter Challenge in the county, offering a $250 raffle to those who pledge to commute sustainably from April to May. Many pledgers regularly use alternative modes and shared why they choose to do so. One transit rider said they enjoy being able to rest or read on BART and not be stressed with traffic. Another commuter shared that in their carpool, they like to relax and enjoy the ride when they’re not driving and can significantly reduce their monthly expenses while helping the environment at the same time.
Driving alone may feel like the only option to commute. Sometimes, driving is the most feasible option, depending on where you are traveling to and other responsibilities you have. However, I challenge you to explore commuting habits beyond this, and all the advantages that come with trying new ways of getting around.
Isobel Readdie is an Oakland resident and an AmeriCorps fellow with Commute.org.
Funny – it was years ago (before cellphones!), but I recall often enjoying time alone in my car, especially decompressing after a hard day at work. Sometimes you just want to be alone, and that’s hard to do on a bus.
Great read, thank you for this! Hope the county supervisors and other government officials put greater emphasis and funding into bicycle infrastructure to support the long term health and wellbeing of our communities.