Every morning I get to ride my electric bike through basically a National Wildlife Refuge on my way to work. I see wildlife, wave to friends, and take beautiful photos. All without any risk of being hit by a car or spending any money on gas! It is easily the best part of my day and if it’s available for you as an option I encourage you to join me.

Last year, when I took the “Week Without Driving” pledge, I was riding my bike either on the shoulder of the 101 or on Old Arcata road. The trip was dangerous and involved putting my faith in a lot of folks to not speed dangerously as they passed me. You might have seen me in my highlighter-yellow jacket and helmet, trying my best to be visible to you. Even when cars are following the speed limit on these roads, the noise that they made as they passed me was deafening. I was so focused on not getting run over that I failed to appreciate the beautiful scenery. Not exactly a pleasant experience.

Now, with the new trail, I am tremendously safer. With that safety, I’ve been able to appreciate the scenery far more. The trail is gorgeous. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet I recommend you go as soon as possible. I often find myself pulling over to take a photo of the sunrise or sunset over Humboldt Bay. As the seasons change the wildlife I see on the trail is changing as well. I regularly see seals, cranes, and once even a peregrine falcon. Instead of a stressful ride where I’m worried about getting hit by a car, I’m beginning and ending my day with a bike ride along essentially a wildlife refuge.

There’s a social aspect to commuting by bike on the trail as well. Almost every day I pass my fellow commuters, heading the opposite direction by bike. We smile and wave, something that I don’t recall ever being able to do on the 101. It’s not just people riding their bikes either. I regularly see folks out walking their dog, fishing, or pushing a stroller. The Cal Poly Humboldt cross country team is using the path to train as well. They’ve all become fixtures of my commute and I guess I have become part of theirs as well. It’s a far nicer way to start and end my work day.

Besides the mental benefits there are physical benefits as well. I mentioned I use an electric bike. Well I decided to buy an electric bike as opposed to a traditional one because I was pretty out of shape. I hadn’t really ridden a bike since I was a kid and I knew if I jumped back in all the way I’d likely injure myself or be too exhausted to commit to the commute. My electric bike acted as the perfect handicap for me. Instead of peddling from a dead stop I can use the throttle to make it easier to get started. On hills I can turn up the electric assist. I’m still peddling and it is still a workout but I can set the difficulty level, as it were, depending on how I’m feeling that day.

This has led to a noticeable improvement in my strength and cardio. When I first started biking I would drain the bike’s battery about 40% each way and get back to my house with 20% left in the tank. Now, because I’m peddling harder and using the electric assist less, I get back with 60%. My goal is to eventually bike the whole way without any electric assist at all, something that I couldn’t have imagined myself doing just a few years ago. Other perks include never having to search for parking and not paying for gas (the electricity my bike consumes is negligible). My bike tops out at 20 mph so it takes me a bit longer to get to work but that time is both infinitely more enjoyable and counts as exercise.

I’ve purchased a rain poncho and wear that over my outfit when it is raining. It’s a bit less pleasant but still fine. I’ll never forget what my coach said when I was a kid and I complained about having to practice in the rain: “What, are you made of salt?” And even if I don’t stick to riding my bike on particularly rainy days, and I end up carpooling with coworkers or taking the bus, I’ve still got the best commute in Humboldt every other day of the year. And I’m not trying to gatekeep it. I actively want to see more folks using this incredible new amenity. I look forward to seeing you on the trail. Be sure to wave hello.