6 Reasons To Ride To Work

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

Do something nice for yourself

The 25th annual Ride To Work Day is coming up on Monday, June 19th. So, it’s never too soon to start considering the benefits of riding your motorcycle to work. Far too many people consider motorcycles as toys and not viable transportation – that includes the many riders who only take their bikes out on weekends. Riding daily has many benefits, not the least of which is making you a more proficient rider. So, get ready, the 19th is only 12 days away, and if you’ve never commuted by motorcycle, that’s as good a day as any to start.

Engage your mind

Many car drivers seem to zone out while they commute by either listening to the radio or talking on the phone. Either way is a pretty passive experience. When riding, all of our senses are engaged, and we’re more alert and involved in the ride. Also, regular motorcycle commuting improves concentration, risk management skills and overall health – all desirable traits in the work force.

Spend time in the open air

One of the curses of the modern work world is that the vast majority of us spend our days working inside. Being out in the open air after a day inside a box is a great way to leave the office behind.

Remind drivers that motorcyclists are people with jobs, too

Depending on where you live, you may notice the same vehicles on your daily commute if you leave at the same time every day. When a motorcycle is mixed in with traffic, it stands out by its difference. As people on your commute get used to seeing you ride to work, you’re doing a little bit every day to defeat the reputation of motorcyclists as ne’er-do-wells who don’t contribute to society.

Burn less fuel

Big surprise finding this on the list, but it’s true. Motorcycles get better mileage than the vast majority of automobiles. As we become more aware of the effects carbon-based fuels are having on the global environment, burning less gasoline is something to be proud of. (Photo credit: Karimala/bigstockphoto.com)

De-stress after a day at work

Something comes over most riders the moment they hear and feel the engine of their motorcycle start. It’s even more pronounced after a day of doing tasks for others. Let go of those reports and mindless chores demanded by the man. Take a deep breath, squeeze in the clutch, and put your bike in gear. You feel better already, don’t you.

Have fun!

Having fun is why we start riding motorcycles in the first place. Life is full of enough things that we have to do. Why not do something for the pure enjoyment of it? Motorcycling is about as good as it gets, too. So, ride to work!

Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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  • Phenix3939 Phenix3939 on Jun 08, 2017

    Yeah, I'm good. I'd prefer not to ride during work commute times when people in cars are most distracted from there long days. Talking, texting, emailing, you name it cagers are doing it instead of paying attention during those hours. No thanks.

    • See 3 previous
    • 12er 12er on Jun 09, 2017

      Same here, I used to commute off commute hours on the bike but in the SF Bay area during commute hours its not worth the stress. Used to be free bridge toll and $2 parking. Now $8 parking and $2.50 fast track toll sans gas, maintenance etc. Cheaper and less dangerous to ride BART, though more frustrating.

  • Mo1997karun Mo1997karun on Oct 16, 2017

    Here in India, bikes (bike meaning motorcycle. That is what we call it here)are everywhere. But one point I would like to make, the more people drive bikes here the more risky they drive. There are plenty of people who drive like they don't care for their lives. So I would not say risk management but more like increased risk taking desire pumps into people.

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