If you live in the city like me, you’ll be used to taking public transportation to work unless you drive. I know many of you probably drive to work, a little secret of me: I don’t have a driver’s license yet. Shocking but true!
Living in Singapore where you can reach one end of the island from the other end in 2 and half hours just by taking the train, there is really not much of a need to add on to the already congested roads and pollution to the environment. Even when I was relocated to Shanghai, a lot of places are easily reachable with their underground trains as well. Plus my workplace was within 10 minutes of walking distance from where I lived. Something that I planned when I search for a place in mind.
It was only when I moved to Kuala Lumpur, I realised that driving is no longer a luxury but a necessary evil to get from point A to point B. Their public buses are often late and driven at carelessly. Their public trains don’t get you anywhere except within the central city itself and it is unpunctual as well. That being said, I still survive taking Uber and Grabcar, private drivers that release me from the pain of public transportation.
Yet when I saw in Netherlands and Taiwan, office gentlemen and ladies who actually cycle to work every single day, it is truly admirable. Of course, a lot on the government’s side to make it safer on the road for cyclists, whether it is having a separate pavement for cyclists and pedestrian or linking roads and highway to get in and out from the central city or even a safe place for you to park and lock your bicycle without fear of it being stolen or vandalized.
Other than the fact I pointed out on reducing carbon footprints and helping to save the planet, cycling to work gives you back precious time stolen from sitting in your car as you inch your way through the traffic jams. Cycling through parks and gardens on the way to work, calms you down as you pass by greenery and fresh morning air rather than breathing down the road dust and tar. It also doubles up as the workout you always wanted but never have time to hit the gym due to long hours tied to your desk. It’s a great way to go to work!
Today is the day we celebrate and encourage National Bike to Work day. If you can, try taking your bike to work today! As for me, I’ll rely on my two bare feet as I pitter-patter from my bedroom to my study, with two ginger furkids as my bodyguards.
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