Staying in one place saves you money. No more overpriced train journeys or rip-off taxis. It makes business sense...especially when you have all those extra pennies to spend on luxurious fairtrade coffee!
Health
Commuting and business travel are never fun. You’d know that if you’ve ever got on the train at rush hour: sad faces, sweaty armpits and heavy hearts are wedged together like sardines in a tin. According to the stress experts, commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots. Seeking flexible work alternatives such as video conferencing can actually lower the risk of long-term health issues.
How?
1. Find out if your office has any conference calling facilities and book them (and if they don’t, ask the facilities manager to get on the case!). Simple.
2.Sign yourself up to a video conferencing site. Skype is free and easy to install, though if you want to talk to several people then there are plenty of other providers to choose from. Megameeting and Nefsis have free trials available.
3. How’s your webcam? Most modern computers include good quality webcams and microphones but it’s worth ensuring you don’t look or sound like a robot!
4. Check your internet connection and account beforehand with a test call to a friend or colleague.
5. Find yourself a quiet, well-lit location, and get yourself a glass of water or a cup of tea.
6. Happy meeting!
Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers to find someone to pledge for.
We all know that exercise keeps us healthy, but the challenge is squeezing it into our busy lives. By running in to work, school or uni, you can combine your daily workout with your commute and get fitter and healthier as you go.
How?
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to go for a run, just a decent pair of trainers and a positive attitude.
If you’re new to running, there is lots of help and advice online about how to get started.
Make sure you check with your doctor before you start, and build up gradually. There are plenty of beginners’ training programmes to help you get going, including Livewell. Walkjogrun has a funky beginners’ training app. You’ll be catching up to Mo Farah in no time.
There are lots of other runners out there who have shared their running routes through websites like Good Run Guide and Map My Run.
Home Run London coordinates groups of runners who run home from work in London. Sign up and they’ll carry your bag for you and keep you company on your journey.
Need a hand training? Good Gym are a great way to keep fit, whilst helping out in your local community and making new friends. You can also use Runnit tro help you train - they'll give you rewards each time you go running - brilliant!
If you do fancy getting yourself kitted out, have a look at our friends over at Wiggle: they are pretty knowledgeable about all the different gear.
Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers to find someone to pledge for.
Limousine, minivan or three-wheeler, if you’ve got an empty seat in your car then why not fill it with a friendly face and share your journey with someone going in the same direction as you?
Congestion
On average, there are just 1.2 people in each commuting car[6]. Sharing journeys means less traffic on the roads and more spaces in the car park.
How?
It couldn’t be simpler. You don’t have to live near your colleagues - there are loads of schemes that make it easy to find people going in the right direction. Here are just a few:
Compare and Share is a one stop shop, pulling together rides from all the main car sharing sites
goCarShare - UK; great if you are travelling to and from festivals
And it doesn’t have to be the commute to work; you could share a lift to the shops, to college or to a concert. Iron out details such as time and whose turn it is to drive, then jump in the car and get going!
Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers to find someone to pledge for.
By walking briskly for 30 minutes to work or school each day you’ll easily meet the recommended 2 ½ hours of exercise each week. This could reduce your risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50%.
It’s a wonder drug.
99 calories
are burnt by 30 minutes of walking (assuming average weight and moderate speed).[2]
What’s more, whilst walking around you’ll soak up fresh air and sunlight, increasing Vitamin D levels significantly.
Money
Walking is absolutely, totally, 100% free.
No train fares. No bus passes. No petrol tanks to fill. No gym memberships to cough up for.
And finally….
People who walk to work or school are shown to be more alert, have better concentration, be more productive, and have greater independence.
Clearly we aren’t all lucky enough to live close enough to school or work to walk there, but if you are within a few miles, then you’d be mad not to!
Drive less like a boy racer, more like a real racer. Keep down the revs to get more miles out of your tank and start to drive with the smooth style of Jenson Button.
Pollution
We all know it – exhaust pipes stink. They’re not exactly prime producers of fine fresh country air. But by improving the efficiency of your car you’ll also help reduce its impact on your local environment. Happy days!
25%
more fuel is used when driving at 80mph instead of 70mph.
Accelerate and brake smoothly: Keep your eyes on the road ahead and a safe distance from the vehicle in front so that you can anticipate speed changes and traffic lights. This should cut your fuel use by about 10%.
Remove the junk from your trunk and any unnecessary roof racks or boxes, making your car as light and aerodynamic as possible.
Service your car regularly and keep tyres well inflated. This will make your car safer and more fuel efficient.
Use air con sparingly – up to 25% of your fuel is used to power it! However, because of the drag produced when driving at high speed, it is more efficient to use the AC than opening the windows.
Keep to 60mph on the motorway, you could save 9% at the pump.
Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers to find someone to pledge for.
Got other tips or great resources to share? Please email them over to us at
Value your travel time; let the holiday start at your front door.
Enjoyment
The stresses of flying start with the panicked journey to the airport, but continue right through to the baggage carousel at the other end with check-in, security, delays, tiny flimsy seats, noisy passengers and bland processed food adding to the fun in between.
It makes a relaxing train ride seem like heaven in comparison, whether you use the time to get stuck into your book, gaze out of the window, chat to your friends, watch a DVD or get on with some work using the on-board Wi-Fi.
10 times
more CO2 is emitted by travelling from London to Paris or Brussels by plane than by train2
How?
If you make a regular flight within the UK or across the channel, why not stick to the ground and give the train or bus a go for one of your trips?
Coach: Check out Mega Bus for the cheap and less-cheerful option of coach travel.
Train: Loco2 is the gem of all gems, a one-stop shop for European and UK train travel.
Or if you’re heading further afield for a business meeting, could you not stay put and teleconference it?
Chopper, mountain bike, racer or penny-farthing, whatever wheels you have – get em rolling!
Money
Running a car is expensive. Public transport isn’t cheap either. Cycling is as good as free, especially if you can hook yourself up with a cheap bike through The Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, or if you live in London and can use one of the Boris Bikes.
£1000
could be saved each year by switching to cycling 4
Congestion
We all hate it. Traffic jams, honking horns, road rage... Enough said. Whizz through it in the early morning sun on your two trusty wheels instead.
How?
If you own a bike, you’re all set. You just need to pick your route. If you don’t, then your local bike shop is probably the best place to head. Check these guys out first:
The Cycling Experts – From independent bike shop listings to bike-buying advice, this is a veritable bible of cycling resources.
Sustrans – A national sustainable transport charity providing maps of national cycle routes and plenty of other great advice on cycling and walking.
Transport for London Cycling Guides – Maps of the city’s many cycle routes, safety tips, maintenance guides and listings of bike-related events and special offers. A fantastic resource if you’re based in London.
Once you've got your bike, it's time to get geared up. Check out our friends at Torm who specialise in comfortable gear for cyclists. Alternatively, you can try Wiggle who offer some great discounts on quality sports gear, and you're off!
Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers and make a pledge.
Got other tips or great resources to share? Please email them over to us at
Limousine, minivan or three-wheeler, if you’ve got an empty seat in your car then why not fill it with a friendly face and share your journey with someone going in the same direction as you?
