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Telecommuting Trend
In less than a decade the number of telecommuters in the United States has nearly quadrupled to 15.7
million people, surging more than 41% in the last year alone, according to a 1998 survey.
Conducted by FIND/SVP, a research firm in New York City, the survey showed a nearly four-fold increase
since 1990 in those who use personal computers and other electronic equipment to work away from the
traditional office setting, often at home, while still employed by an outside company.
Telecommuting proponents say the trend benefits workers, businesses, and the environment. They say
telework can improve morale, reduce stress, and help balance work and personal life while decreasing traffic
congestion and vehicle emissions. For employers, such arrangements can increase productivity, reduce
overhead costs, and help to recruit and retain valuable employees.
Still, there are drawbacks. Being able to telecommute to work means that people can live farther out in the
countryside, which doesn't do much for reducing traffic when greater numbers of ex-urbanites move to
sprawling subdivisions. Telecommuting also can mean that personal and professional life are separated by only
a few feet, with workaholism the result. And some people need a structured office setting to motivate them,
while others miss the camaraderie that the work place can provide.
For more information, see The Telecommuter's Advisor by June Langhoff, or contact the International Telework
Association, 204 "E" Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002, Tel. 202-547-6157, Web site < www.telecommute.org>.
Take Action
The Surface Transportation Policy Project has published a very helpful "TEA-21 User's Guide" that
describes how citizens and local organizations can participate in transportation planning for their communities.
You can borrow a copy of the guide from the Institute's library, or order your own for $15 plus $4 for postage
and handling from the Web site: < www.tea21.org/guide/guideonline.htm>.
The complete text of TEA-21 legislation is posted on that site.
For more information about how the Institute's Transportation and Land Use Policy Initiative is helping
provide a framework for citizens to benefit from TEA-21, contact Kelly Thayer at 616-882-4723 x13, E-mail
<trans@mlui.org>.
Pedal Power
The League of Michigan Bicyclists, a 1,700-member nonprofit group based in Lansing that organizes bike
trips across the state, is working to increase the use of pedal power for commuting and recreation.
The League's efforts to allow more bicyclists to ride safely in urban areas are resulting in better on-road
designs, funded by local, state, and federal sources, that include wide outside lanes for motor vehicles and
bicycles to share, paved roadway shoulders, and designated bike lanes.
In Lansing, the League has supported the Tri-County Bicycling Association's project to install bike racks
on public buses. By spring, area commuters will be able to bike to a bus stop, ride a Capital Area
Transportation Authority bus across town, and then continue pedaling to work or other destinations.
The League of Michigan Bicyclists' executive director is Lucinda Means, whose career most recently
included bicycling advocacy in San Francisco. She never has owned a car and is a strong proponent of
bicycling for recreation and for in-town transportation.
When the League joined the Institute last October, Ms. Means recalled, "It may sound funny, but when I
saw the hands of my board members, and everyone voted to join, I thought to myself, 'They got it. They got it.
They got why bicycle advocates should be concerned with land use, the connection between transportation
issues and development issues.' "
To contact the League of Michigan Bicyclists call 888-MI-BIKES in-state, 517-334-9100 out-of-state. The
Web site is < www.lmb.org>.




		Telecommuting Trend In less than a decade the number of telecommuters in the United States has nearly quadrupled to 15.7 million people, surging more than 41% in the last year alone, according to a 1998 survey. Conducted by FIND/SVP, a research firm in New York City, the survey showed a nearly four-fold increase since 1990 in those who use personal computers and other electronic equipment to work away from the traditional office setting, often at home, while still employed by an outside company. Telecommuting proponents say the trend benefits workers, businesses, and the environment. They say telework can improve morale, reduce stress, and help balance work and personal life while decreasing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions. For employers, such arrangements can increase productivity, reduce overhead costs, and help to recruit and retain valuable employees. Still, there are drawbacks. Being able to telecommute to work means that people can live farther out in the countryside, which doesn't do much for reducing traffic when greater numbers of ex-urbanites move to sprawling subdivisions. Telecommuting also can mean that personal and professional life are separated by only a few feet, with workaholism the result. And some people need a structured office setting to motivate them, while others miss the camaraderie that the work place can provide. For more information, see The Telecommuter's Advisor by June Langhoff, or contact the International Telework Association, 204 "E" Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002, Tel. 202-547-6157, Web site < www.telecommute.org>. Take Action The Surface Transportation Policy Project has published a very helpful "TEA-21 User's Guide" that describes how citizens and local organizations can participate in transportation planning for their communities. You can borrow a copy of the guide from the Institute's library, or order your own for $15 plus $4 for postage and handling from the Web site: < www.tea21.org/guide/guideonline.htm>. The complete text of TEA-21 legislation is posted on that site. For more information about how the Institute's Transportation and Land Use Policy Initiative is helping provide a framework for citizens to benefit from TEA-21, contact Kelly Thayer at 616-882-4723 x13, E-mail <trans@mlui.org>. Pedal Power The League of Michigan Bicyclists, a 1,700-member nonprofit group based in Lansing that organizes bike trips across the state, is working to increase the use of pedal power for commuting and recreation. The League's efforts to allow more bicyclists to ride safely in urban areas are resulting in better on-road designs, funded by local, state, and federal sources, that include wide outside lanes for motor vehicles and bicycles to share, paved roadway shoulders, and designated bike lanes. In Lansing, the League has supported the Tri-County Bicycling Association's project to install bike racks on public buses. By spring, area commuters will be able to bike to a bus stop, ride a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus across town, and then continue pedaling to work or other destinations. The League of Michigan Bicyclists' executive director is Lucinda Means, whose career most recently included bicycling advocacy in San Francisco. She never has owned a car and is a strong proponent of bicycling for recreation and for in-town transportation. When the League joined the Institute last October, Ms. Means recalled, "It may sound funny, but when I saw the hands of my board members, and everyone voted to join, I thought to myself, 'They got it. They got it. They got why bicycle advocates should be concerned with land use, the connection between transportation issues and development issues.' " To contact the League of Michigan Bicyclists call 888-MI-BIKES in-state, 517-334-9100 out-of-state. The Web site is < www.lmb.org>.