The Benefits of NOT Driving to Work

Driving is convenient for most people. You can leave your house later. You can go at your own pace (for the most part). It is a sense of independence that you get when you turn 16 that is unmatchable.

However, did you know that a lot of people choose not to drive? Many millennials are choosing not to own a car. It is cheaper to use other forms of transportation (especially in the long run). Sure, it may be more convenient to drive where you want to go but more kids don’t need that in order to have a sense of freedom. They are already going mobile (laptops and tablets instead of desktops, MP3 players and phones instead of CD players and entertainment systems). The world has changed for the young and their priorities aren’t the same as yours were when you were their age.

Young people aside, why would older generations choose not to drive a car or drive to work? There are many benefits to public transportation or other forms of transportation (bicycling or walking).

Benefits of Public Transportation:

• Save money on gas and “regular” maintenance on your car
• Makes your carbon footprint a bit smaller
• You can read while you are on the bus
• Get to know your community a bit better
• Keeps you on a schedule

Benefits of Riding Your Bike or Walking:

• Save money on gas and “regular” maintenance on your car
• Makes your carbon footprint a bit smaller
• Helps your health
• No traffic

Benefits of Working from Home:

• Save money on gas and “regular” maintenance on your car
• Cheaper if you own your own business (no rent)
• Saves on sitters (for your kids and pets)
• You get to spend more time with your kids
• Sometimes you get to make your own schedule (depends on your job)
• For most people, it is a less stressful environment
• For most people, they find that they are more productive at home
• No traffic

Keep in mind that when I say that it saves you money on “regular maintenance on your car, I mean that you won’t have to get your oil changed as often and you won’t put unnecessary wear on your various car parts (tires, belts, etc.). You will have to get these things checked but it won’t nearly be as often as you would if you were driving to work on a daily basis.

In fact, an article posted on WebMD quoted Adam Martin, from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, who concluded that:

“Our study shows that the longer people spend commuting in cars, the worse their psychological well-being. And correspondingly, people feel better when they have a longer walk to work.”

Sources:

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20140915/walking-biking-to-work-seems-to-have-mental-health-benefits?src=RSS_PUBLIC

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