Bikes trump buses as best way to get to work alert and on time, says McGill study

Bikes trump buses when it comes to getting to work on time and in a productive frame of mind, according to a new study by students in McGill University's School of Urban Planning.

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People who cycle to work and class arrive punctually and with more energy than those who use any other means of transportation, the survey of more than 1,500 McGill staff and students found.

Those who walked to the university ranked second in the survey, while metro riders came in third, drivers were fourth, and bus riders came in dead last.

"We found that those who cycled to McGill tended to have the highest energy levels and perceived themselves to be the least likely to be late because of their commute," Charis Loong, a graduate student in urban planning, told CBC.

Loong co-authored the study with fellow student Dea van Lierop and associate professor Ahmed El-Geneidy.

Drivers had less energy because it takes effort to drive downtown.- Charis Loong, McGill graduate student in urban planning

Bus riders scored lowest in the survey, as many expressed frustration with their wait for the bus and the unpredictability of its arrival. 

"People are very sensitive to how much time it takes to get to their stop and their waiting time as well. It affects their punctuality, because sometimes they don't know when the bus will come," she said.

Motorists fared better than bus riders but still ranked lower than other options. "Drivers had less energy because it takes effort to drive downtown," said Loong.

Many live too far from campus to walk to work, so commuting by foot doesn't work for all. 

But a good bike ride could be the solution for many. 

"The study suggests that cycling should be encouraged," said Loong.

Check out their study here: