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Reader Charrette: Calling Commuters

17 June 2011 6 Comments

I had a conversation the other day with a friend about commutes. Well, maybe it wasn’t exactly a conversation. More like I was rubbing in the fact that he had to spend close to 35 minutes in his car each day driving to work, and I was able to walk to work.

I really like my walk – gives me a chance to wake up in the morning ans unwind on the way back to work. Edmonton is a city of commuters, but we’ve got all different ways of getting to our daily destinations. Some bike. Some walk. Some drive.

We’re interested in hearing about your commutes. How do you get around? Is it something you look forward to, or do you dread it every day? What’s the best part, what’s the worst?

I’m spoiled. Not only do I get fresh air, but my commute takes me right along the River Valley and some spectacular views. Some views I thought I’d share with you, via a quick video I made. Took a picture every couple of steps, and tossed the whole thing together. (I’d love to say it was an original idea, but I was inspired by this guy who tracked his walk to work.)

So take a look, and be sure to let us know about your commute. With a map, some sort of interpretive dance, or just old-fashioned words.

Photo by Pembina Institute. Got a picture you’d like to see on the Charrette? Add it to our Flickr Photo Pool today!

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6 Comments »

  • ee said:

    this is teh part where you promote Bikeology’s Bike Breakfast on June 24th. From 7-9am at the Bicycle Bottleneck (south end of high level bridge), Sugarbowl will provide commuting cyclists with free cinnamon buns & coffee, and EBC will be providing free minor tune-ups / repairs!

    # 20 June 2011 at 11:07 am
  • Brennan said:

    I listen to Holy Fuck on my commute too.

    # 20 June 2011 at 2:14 pm
  • Adam Roy said:

    This year I had to drive to West Ed from Spruce-goddamn-Grove and then take the 100 downtown for school. I hated the drive, was fine with the bus, but I always wanted that thing to be an LRT or monorail.

    To be fair, I met my girlfriend on that bus, so… Edmonton Transit works for me.

    # 20 June 2011 at 9:38 pm
  • Brooks said:

    I drove to the U of A everyday from my First Nation, which takes about an hour – in good traffic without construction. That’s 2 hours a day, and 10 hours a week spent in my car. Which was always affected by construction, especially during the end of winter term. It has gotten so bothersome, that I’ve just decided to move to Whyte for next semester!

    # 22 June 2011 at 8:40 am
  • Ryan said:

    Just moved back to Edmonton after 13 years away. Living downtown (Oliver) and commuting by bike to Old Strathcona. An awesome 10 minute ride right now – but not sure I’ll be so enthusiastic come November. :)

    # 23 June 2011 at 9:14 am
  • Matt said:

    I just moved to south of the river around 99th street, previously living in Sherwood Park.

    I used to, and still do, take the bus to work. I was hoping for a shorter ride because of my new location but construction on Scona Road has made the commute nearly the same time. I must say, the ride from Sherwood Park was quite quick (20 mins to downtown).

    I love the bus, a great time to catch up on some reading or podcasts.

    Now that the weather has gotten a bit nicer I am looking forward to trying out the ‘ol bike. Should be a nice ride through both Mill Creek and the River Valley.

    Also, I met my wife on the bus.

    # 29 June 2011 at 2:52 pm