With the average time spent commuting in the UK coming out to approximately between 15 and 29 minutes, according to a survey from Statista, a lot of our time is spent going to and from our workplace. That's nearly an hour each day spent navigating through traffic, waiting for public transportation, or braving the elements on foot or bicycle.
It's no wonder that commuting to and from work significantly affects our overall well-being. As you embark on a new job, it's essential to carefully consider your commute and how it might impact various aspects of your life.
Accounting for distance
When deciding which transport method is best for your commute, the first consideration is the distance you’ll be travelling. If your workplace is closer to your home or neighbourhood, then hopping on a road bike or simply walking is likely your best bet. Longer distances could require public transport or even driving, especially if you want to get there directly and cut out the hassle of where the public transport stops in relation to your workplace.
Does the route accommodate a variety of transport options?
Following on from the previous point, many travel options may not be as accessible as others when it comes to commuting. For example, while a bus might take you directly to the front door of your workplace, it may not stop near your home or even in your neighbourhood. Similarly, your workplace could have very limited parking options, making driving much more difficult or pricey.
Ben Mercer, mountain bike enthusiast and director at Leisure Lakes Bikes has commented on the positives of combining two transport options into one: “There will be some instances where public transport routes don’t have stops near enough to your workplace for it to feel like the best option. However, if you can find a way to link them together, you can cut the journey up somewhat.
“For example, if your bus stops both from your home and to your workplace are distance where walking is tiresome, why not cycle and bring your bike on the bus with you. That way, you’re not having to cycle distances that unmanageable but still get the physical benefits of a cycle.”
How much will it cost?
As conversations and considerations around the cost-of-living crisis become more prevalent, personal cost is a huge factor in commute choice. For drivers, this comes in the form of fuel costs, parking fees, and the price of maintaining your vehicle, while for public transport users, it equates to bus, train, and metro fares. While some options may seem more affordable, it’s important to consider how it can add up over time.
Cost isn’t just financial but physical and mental as well. Longer or more intricate commutes can have a huge impact on workers' stress levels and fatigue, leading to much more serious health issues. This is why, before deciding on commute options, you should consider how it could impact your well-being in the long run and choose what’s best for you.
Making the most of your commute
Depending on the length of your journey and your chosen option, it can be used as personal downtime to maintain a healthier work/life balance. When using public transport, bring a book or any other portable interest to make good use of your time. If you’re in a car or on a bike, getting the most out of the variety of audio options, from audiobooks to podcasts to new music, can help to keep you inspired and your mood boosted on your way to and from work.
Do your research – try your journey out beforehand
There are plenty of modern tools that exist to help break down your journey in terms of distance and time it would take to cover various routes and transport options. Google and Apple Maps are the most popular options and can be used on smartphones as a makeshift satnav, with live updates on congestion and traffic, meaning you can make on-the-fly adjustments to your journey.
One thing that can also help before you start your new job is doing a trial run of your journey to and from your workplace. This will give you a better idea of what you’ll be dealing with and allow you to make a more informed decision rather than doing mostly guesswork.
Figuring out the best commute to your new job comes with several considerations that must be made. From the distance from where you live to your new workplace to the personal cost, there’s plenty to outline before you make your first journey in. This is why we strongly recommend taking on trial runs beforehand to make sure you’re travelling with the method that’s the most optimal for you.
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