By Lindsay Lelivelt / BWdB
On weekday mornings, congestion, construction, and unpredictable traffic can turn a short drive into a long grind. But across the Twin Cities metro, commuters are proving that even small changes in how we get to work can transform daily life.
Going car-free in the suburbs
Will Maddrey made a bold decision after college graduation: he sold his car. Instead of driving to his job in Edina, he now relies on a combination of biking, transit, and remote work.
“I love incorporating cycling into my commute. Having time outside and starting the day with exercise is amazing,” he said. “I also do this to lower my carbon emissions and to cut out pollution as much as I possibly can.”
Will’s e-bike, a gift from his mother, carries him along trails and bikeways for the 10-mile trip. In the winter, he upgrades his gear so he can keep riding. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, he adapts — putting his bike on the bus, taking the METRO Orange Line, or mixing routes until he finds the right connection.
“It makes me feel way more productive when I haven’t had to navigate a snarl of traffic to Edina,” he said. “It saves so much money, I cannot tell you what gas prices are.”
There’s a power in simply trying something different. “Just trying an alternative one time often leads to people choosing it up to five days a week,” noted Melissa Madison, Executive Director of Commuter Services, a nonprofit that serves those who live and work in the cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, and Richfield.
Pooling your efforts
Many commuters find their solution in sharing rides to work. Some choose the traditional carpooling method, where one or more people who have similar commutes share a ride in someone’s personal car and splitting costs (gas, parking). While others opt to join or organize a vanpool, an organized program where four or more commuters share a van, with costs like maintenance and insurance often subsidized.
Each option allows commuters to work, sleep, and relax on the days that they don’t drive, while offering a reliable alternative to solo trips on days they need to head in to work. Individuals who share their commute often form lifelong friendships that extend beyond their scheduled rides.
Sustainable commuting isn’t just about saving money or cutting emissions — it’s about quality of life.
“On average, a single commuter’s annual driving can emit nearly four tons of greenhouse gases — the equivalent of 768 mature trees,” said Michelle Leonard, Communications and Outreach Manager at Commuter Services. “But we also know no two people’s commute is the same. We don’t promote one mode over another; we help people find what works for them.”
That flexibility is key, Leonard added, because barriers are real. “The problem is often a lack of safe bike lanes, access to transit, or simply knowing someone to carpool with,” she said. “We’re here to connect the dots.”
The employer advantage
Beyond individual stories, sustainable commuting also makes business sense. Companies along the I-494 corridor know the challenges employees face, and some are embracing commuter programs as part of their benefits.
“For employers, most commute programs do not cost anything and require minimal staff time — Commuter Services does the legwork,” said Kate Meredith, vice president of Commuter Services. “Supporting sustainable ways of getting to work helps reduce stress and boosts productivity.”
Employers can tap into services such as ride-matching, vanpool coordination, and transit pass enrollment, all supported by Commuter Services at no charge. “We like to think of ourselves as an extension of an employer’s staff,” Madison said. “Our goal is to solve the commuting issue for companies so their employees arrive on time, less stressed, and ready to work.”
Building momentum, one pledge at a time
Every month, Commuter Services invites residents to make a pledge to try an alternative to driving alone. Incentives, including $150 gift cards and e-bike giveaways, sweeten the deal. But the real payoff is in the shift that follows.
“In our follow-up surveys, 20 percent of people who pledge end up switching to an alternative five days a week,” Madison said. “And it all started with just one trial.”
Leonard put it simply: “All trips begin and end at home. Even small, mindful choices — walking to the store, biking to school, or carpooling to the office once a week — add up to a meaningful difference for the whole community.”
Discover your new commute
As construction continues along I-494, the need for better ways to get around grows sharper. Will’s bike rides and Annie’s vanpool may look different, but together they illustrate the campaign’s message: there’s no single right way to commute — just better options waiting to be tried.
“We’re not asking anyone to sell their vehicle,” Madison said. “But what we find is that several people end up making the alternative choice five days a week. It often starts by just trying it once.”Residents, commuters, and employers along the corridor can learn more and sign the pledge at commuter.org.
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