Commuter profile: Jeff Broekhoven

Name: Jeff Broekhoven
Location: My wife and I live and work in Chicago and chose to move to the South Loop three years ago, after living in Lakeview for a few years. We currently live near the intersection of State Street and 16th Street.

How do you get around?
My wife and I have been living and working in the city car-free since 2004, so use of various alternative modes of transportation are imperative to remaining mobile. We primarily get around using public transit and bikes, and the variety of bikes we own further enables us to be mobile and car-free.

We have fixed-gear bikes that get used daily, mainly because they are the most fun to ride but also because they have few parts which are easy to maintain and repair while on the go. In addition, my wife has a free wheel single-speed that is setup for riding in rain or snow and I also have a mountain bike used for commuting in the winter or for hauling miscellaneous items, which has earned the nickname The Mule! We have racing bikes specifically used for distance training or competing in races, mainly triathlons. Lastly, and the most versatile of the bunch, is a folding bike. It is ideal for use in combination with public transit because it can be carried on at any time as a piece of luggage, meaning the bike is folded and placed in a carry-on bag. It is also the ideal bike to loan out or let a visitor ride because it can fit just about anyone.

My daily commute consists of either riding my bike directly to work, or taking public transit, which involves a bus, train, and a bit of walking. Errands are run mostly by bike with some public transit and the occasional Zipcar rental. Meeting up with friends usually involves biking if the weather is nice or taking public transit. Having a bike is great for getting home when the trains have stopped running, which cuts down on those late night cab fare expenses. For recreation, I prefer using a bike to explore other neighborhoods or parts of the city, and the lakefront path is great for distance riding, especially heading south because it isn’t as congested.

Why do you choose to get around that way?
It’s fun, efficient, cheap, and sustainable. Riding a bike is the most fun, and often times, the most efficient way to get around the city. Taking a bus or train is also efficient and cheap and I’m able to use my commute as personal time to read or relax. Most importantly, my wife and I have made a conscious decision to better our community by not driving a car. I appreciate and take advantage of the transit options Chicago has to offer, it might just be the best reason to live in a city or urban area.

Describe your ideal commute.
My ideal commute involves options. Any given day I can choose to ride my bike, take public transit, or hop in a cab if I’ve really overslept! There is also the option of the bike/bus/train combo that I use a lot. Either way, I feel very fortunate to have options and not be stuck with only one mode of transportation.

What is one thing you can see by walking in your community that you couldn't see otherwise?
Walking is all about the pace of your experience, same with biking. The speed of walking is maybe the best way to actively engage your environment and your neighbors, because it allows you to easily start and stop, change directions, or step into a store or park at any given moment. Biking allows you a similar type of experience, but also allows you to move faster and travel farther with minimal effort.

What is something you have seen change about the way people get around in the last 5 years?
Something my wife and I have experienced a few times over the last five years is how crucial biking has been to remaining mobile in very large gatherings, such as Lollapalooza or the 2008 Presidential Election night in Grant Park. On a bike we were able to get around easily despite the extreme congestion in the streets and on public transit. Also, event organizers have ramped up the organized bike valet services that enable you to safely store your bike and helmet at public events, because they see that people use it and it’s a great accommodation.

A major change I see underway is an increased importance by my employer on promoting use of alternative transportation by its employees. This is something I have personally tried to promote at work through events like the Bike to Work Week hosted by Active Trans. Currently, I am on a committee in my office that is working to document commuting habits of our firm. We are developing a web-based survey and a tracking program that will allow employees to track their commuting habits over time.In general, I would like to say that more people are utilizing public transit along with riding bikes, both of which promote walking.

Why do you support Active Trans?
Active Transportation advocates for positive change within the city and community, and I wouldn’t align myself with anything less. They are the collective voice for those who rely on many modes of transportation other than a car, in order to remain mobile in an urban environment like Chicago.

Have you ever played the Would You Rather game? Would you rather hit all green lights or hop on an express bus?
That’s the easiest game of Would You Rather I have ever played - All green lights on my bike during my morning commute up Jefferson Street!