Natalie H.
Where do you work and what is your role in the company?
I am a student at University of Washington - Tacoma.
How far is your commute? How long does it take you each way? If you are teleworking, how long would your commute have been if you were commuting to the office?
40 miles from Olympia to Tacoma, 2 hours.
What is your commute mode and what made you decide to commute this way?
I carpool to my dad's work and bike to my local transit center where I take the bus to Lakewood and then bike to UW-T or sometimes take the Sounder train if my timing is lucky. Sometimes I'll carpool with a classmate instead of the bus because we had the same class schedule.
My dad got a bike rack for his car this winter which has been great. I can bike from the transit center to home if I'm out late. Though, I would have to ride along a highway, so my dad offers lots of rides.
The Sounder from Lakewood station to the Tacoma Dome is also great because it is warm, has restrooms and phone chargers and I can chat with other bikers sharing the bike parking spots on the train. I only took it a few times this quarter and have difficulty timing the ones back to Lakewood, it leaves so quick if you're not on the right track you'll miss it.
What do you enjoy about your commute?
I have never needed to buy a car between college and the pandemic. I search for jobs by location because the commute is so important to me. I also commuted by bike and walking when I worked for the Imagine Justice Project in Pierce County but have a better bike and better tires now, so commuting further is even easier.
I see several other bikers on campus and check out their bikes, I also made friends with another trans woman on campus who rides an e-bike. I also go to Infinite Soups and ride at Wright Park between classes.
Do you have any positive, interesting stories from your commute?
Chatting with other bikers on the bus and Sounder Train is really fun.
I went to the Downtown: On the Go! Light Up Your Ride bike ride next to campus (Light Up Your Ride) and also really enjoy the 2nd Cycle rides especially when they involve other students!
Do you think you save money by commuting this way?
Yes, I imagine I save $1,000 per month between car costs and living at home instead of rent in Tacoma.
How does your company help accommodate your commute option? (ex: bike racks, free bus pass, vanpool subsidy, flexible work hours, telework incentives, etc.)
There are bike lockers on the UW-Tacoma campus but mostly my teachers are accommodating letting me park my bike in the buildings. The new Makerspace in the UW-Tacoma Library has bike mechanic tools and an electric pump and is open earlier than most bike shops. I have a U-Pass but don't use it often because the Intercity Transit 620 bus between Olympia and the 512 Park and Ride is free.
Is there anything your company could do better to accommodate your commute option?
Bike lockers closer to campus!
Note from RTP: Learn more about sustainable transportation options at UW-Tacoma here.
What would you say to your fellow employees to inspire them to try using a commute option other than driving alone in their car?
Get out on your bike, also get new tires every couple of years at least. The more you ride among car traffic, will be less scary it will be, and actually sort of fun to pass through.