Posts Tagged ‘Robin Sauerwein’

Bike, Walk … Bus?

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Name: Robin Sauerwein

Age: 51

Neighborhood: Audubon Park, Northeast Minneapolis

Workplace: Northrup Auditorium, University of Minnesota 

Robin Sauerwein walks the walk…and buses the bus, and bikes the bike. Every day. Robin uses a combination of walking and MetroTransit buses to get to her job at the University of Minnesota’s Northrup Auditorium. On especially nice days, she rides her bicycle to work. Here’s a bit more about her routine and her advice for others who might be considering bicycling, walking and taking the bus more often.

How did you start walking to work?

My family used to own two cars. When the motor in one of them went in September, we decided not to replace it. Now, my husband has a truck for business, and I walk and take the bus to work. I didn’t have a car until I was in my 20s, so walking is natural to me.

Why did you make that choice?

I’d just rather be moving. I work in an office all day, so it feels good to be outside and moving. It gets me to think more clearly. I write, so a lot of poems and writing come to me while I’m walking. Especially now during the spring, I get to see the plants and hear the birds – those little things that you don’t always notice in a vehicle. I feel more in control of my own time; I’m not frustrated by traffic. I feel so energized and relaxed when I get home at the end of the day. I consider myself really lucky.

How far is your commute to the University of Minnesota?

It’s about four miles each way. On average, I walk about a mile each way to get to the bus. If it’s really nice, I’ll bike the whole way.

What routes do you use to get to work?

If I’m walking, I’ll take the residential streets in my neighborhood to University Avenue and walk down that to catch the bus. When I bike, I go through Dinkytown to get to University Avenue, and then I’ll bike through campus to get to Northrup Auditorium. It’s a beautiful ride through campus.

What are your limits for walking or biking to work?

If it’s really slippery out (in the winter) I’ll take the bus, but otherwise I know how to dress for the weather – lots of layers and long underwear. If it snows, I wear boots. It’s a great workout to walk in the snow.

What’s your advice to others who want to incorporate more walking and biking into their lives?

Really look at the way you’re spending your time. You may not need your car as much as you think you do. If it’s only a mile to the store, what if you walked instead of taking your car? Try walking or biking on those short trips to the store, library, bakery, and so on. Incorporate it into your current lifestyle.

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