Since we are well into winter commute season, I thought I’d share some thoughts and ideas:

1. The wintertime is a great time to start riding the bus. Think about it: It’s snowing or icy. Your car is buried. It’s kind of dangerous to drive. But you still want to work. This is a great time to take the bus. Not only is a bus safe, it’s also warm and you don’t have to worry about a spin out on the highway.But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a story from go!pass user Shannon Tubb:

“How I became an avid go!pass user: I moved from Columbus OH to Ann Arbor MI in August 2003. I had some experience with the bus system in Columbus and also had driven in the winter before. However, there came a day that my low-to-the-ground car got stuck in the snow twice in one day.

I had already noticed the bus stop across the street from where I lived and began taking the bus on a more regular basis. I think around that time I had heard about the go!pass program and encouraged the non-profit business that I work for to sign up for it. What a deal: $5 a person for an entire year of riding the bus for free plus discounts at local merchants!

Not only has it saved me a bundle of money (I no longer own a car) and it’s better for the environment, I am less stressed without the hassle of driving or parking. I have time to read on my way to work and don’t have to worrying about winter driving. I enjoy having a few bus friends and regular drivers who make the trips comfortable and friendly

I recommend to anyone who may be skeptical to just try a different form of commuting just a few times each: like riding the bus or biking or walking.”

2. Want to burn off those extra holiday calories? Find ways to walk and bike to work. As I reported in the last getDowntown enewsletter walking just one mile burns around 150 calories. Biking burns around 36 calories a mile. So even walking or biking to work one day during the winter can help you avoid weight gain. Too far away to walk? Why not park at the Pioneer Park and Ride Lot and walk to work from there? Or maybe get off the bus a few stops early and walk or bike the rest of the way. There are lots of ways to do it and they are all good.

3. When you bike, walk or bus you save time cleaning off your car, warming it up, etc. Enough said.

4. And when days get really bad, telecommuting is even smarter because you can get your work done without having to risk your life on the highway. The Chamber has a VPN, which is secure network I can connect to over a wireless connection and access all of my work files from home. It’s great!

5. Busing, biking, walking, carpooling, vanpooling and telecommuting are cheaper than parking downtown. That means you have more money for holiday presents. Or for donating to your favorite charity. According to the SmartTrips Commuter Savings Calculator, you could save around $.73 cents a mile if you choose to bike, walk, bus, etc. instead of driving to work alone. And that doesn’t even include the cost of parking downtown!

Add your reasons in the Comments Section