John Cunning
Active commuting doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing activity. John Cunning, Program Director with Missouri State Parks, has found a way to add active travel to his day even though he lives in Columbia but works in Jefferson City.
There is a car involved in John's daily trip to Jefferson City, but once he hits the office, biking is his preferred method to travel to meetings around town. "I started doing it to save money on gas," he explained. "After I had used my bicycle for a while I discovered how enjoyable it was. The exercise is great and I enjoy seeing Jefferson City at a slower pace."
Jefferson City is know for its hills, but John finds it to be a fairly bicycle friendly town. "I have had no unpleasant experiences. Most of my commutes are thankfully uneventful. Figuring the best routes with the fewest hills has been a challenge. Some of Jefferson City's hills are extremely steep."
His average ride is about three miles each way and he feels the fresh air and exercise give him a great mindset. "I arrive at meetings feeling less hectic and more prepared."
In his free time, John plays drum and percussion with the River Ridge String Band and with the Boone County Fire District Pipe and Drum Band. He also enjoys woodworking and his family enjoys visiting museums and historic sites.
Although he can't do an all bicycling commute, John encourages those people who live in Columbia, but work in Jefferson City to try using a bicycle to get around Jefferson City. "The hills seem very daunting at first, but they are really not that bad."
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