I struggled with the worsening traffic conditions on my 17 mile commute that consisted of about 40% bike path between home and the office. The drivers' attitudes toward bicyclists and several close calls forced me to look for alternatives.

For a while I parked in a parking garage at a mall and then rode the 12 miles to the office. Although the distance was a little shorter, the main reason for changing my commute was safety as there are bike paths about 80% of the way between the mall and my office. I never asked permission, but the garage was never anywhere close to full - which indicates the serious lack of mall patrons these days. I also considered parking at a church, which is a little further to the office than the mall, but bike paths probably cover 85% of the total distance.

I struggled with the decision for a while because it actually took about 20 minutes longer each way for me to drive and bike than it did to bike the whole way from my house due to distance and traffic to/from the mall, and to loading/unloading my bike in the car). Eventually, I returned to my original home to office commute with a few tweaks to the route that has reduced the negative interactions with drivers.

COVID-19 changed things! Now, I do a morning ride of 15-20 miles (through local neighborhoods without any bike paths) just about everyday. Traffic volume is much lower now, but I think that just about everyone is driving significantly faster. I have found that I really like riding every morning on varying routes.

Be Safe!