Combine Public Transit With Biking…Even on Rainy Days!
Do you sometimes consider taking public transit, but are discouraged by the hassle of driving to a station and the limited on-site parking? Three Stanford affiliates who've adopted biking as their first- and last-mile connector share their stories. Incorporating this one-two sustainable punch into your commute might be easier than you think.
Kevin Reads 30-40 Books a Year on Caltrain 📚
Kevin Jude has been commuting to Stanford from Berkeley by bike/BART/bike/Caltrain/bike for 11 years, which he calls much more fun and relaxing than driving. “It's a long commute (hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes), but I bring my laptop to get a jump on the day's work. Sometimes I even get off a few stops early to get some extra riding in,” said Kevin. He uses the downtime to read 30-40 books a year, including a 13,000-page biography he finished in ‘25. On cold days, a pair of gloves and a good jacket is all he needs to keep warm. Kevin’s sustainable commute is a no-brainer after a long day. “I don’t want to operate a vehicle when my brain has turned off,” he said. “To be able to work on the train or veg out, read a book or listen to a podcast, is a nice break in my day.”
— Kevin Jude, Research Specialist, Stanford Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology + Kite, his WFH feline companion.
Lisa Boissier Misses Her Longer Commute!🚴
For eight years, Lisa Boissier typically rode her bike four miles to a VTA Express Bus stop in San Jose. The 25-30-minute ride was a great way to get some exercise. She hopped on an express bus (bike in tow) to campus, then rode another two miles to her building. “It was such an easy commute. When you ride your bike, you see all the trees and animals – it’s a different perspective than from inside a car.” After she moved to Mountain View, Lisa began taking Caltrain to campus, shaving her commute time down to 6-10 minutes. “I’m a little sad that my commute is shorter. You hardly ever hear anybody say that,” said Lisa with a laugh. "But I miss the middle part of my bus commute, the quiet 'me time,' when I worked on puzzles, read the news or caught up with friends." As part of her continued commitment to car-free living, Lisa plans to start riding her bike home in spring and summer.
— Lisa Boissier, Director of Finance & Operations, Stanford Art & Art History Department.
Caltrain Bookends Adds Structure to James' Routine ⏱️
James Berneking bikes to Caltrain from San Francisco’s Mission District three to four times a week. Previously, James took the bus to the Caltrain station. At first, there was a learning curve – where to put his bike, etc. However, the turning point came when he realized that not only was biking the first- and last-mile quicker and more efficient, it also “puts me in control. I don’t need to rely on the bus system, which makes my commute easier and more convenient.” Of course, there are snafus, including the time he rode through a torrential downpour, and arrived at the office drenched. Now, James knows that the right gear can make or break a ride in inclement weather: a rain jacket, rain pants, and protective shoe booties. He loves having a bike to tool around on campus, including the Arrillaga Center for Sports & Rec, a five-minute ride from his office. Best of all, his sustainable commute takes the same amount of time as driving – one hour door-to-door. James drives in occasionally for events but sitting “stressed out in traffic on 101 or 280 reminds me why I commute by train."
— James Berneking, Associate Director, Strategy & Curricular Support, GSB.
