The joys of walking to work

LONDON is in the midst of a walkout by the city's tube operators today. This affords a rare glimpse of what life would be like without the (admittedly antiquated) technology so many modern city-dwellers rely on to the extent that they probably cease actually to perceive it as such, as happens with utilities. The streams of commuters that on a normal day flow steadily, if somewhat compressed, in the British capital's underground plumbing, spilled onto the streets above, with predictable consequences.

Never exactly short of people, some of the city's streets practically turned into walkways, with vehicles playing second fiddle to pedestrians. Endless rows of buses clogged the dedicated lanes, mostly empty, or at least emptying, as dismayed travellers alighted early, dreading the prospect of being cramped in a stalled double decker without air-conditioning. All over town, scenes resembled post-parade (or post-protest) dispersal, staid attire alone hinting that people weren't on their way back from Notting Hill carnival, but rather heading for work. Not that the besuited masses appeared particularly irked. Many wore smiles, probably expecting leniency for latecomers. And who would prefer being cooped up in an office to staying outdoors for an extra hour? 

Certainly not this Babbage, accused by colleagues of being, if anything, a bit barmy about exercise. So, instead of hopping on the bus, I plumped for a brisk walk from home to The Economist's offices in central London. What would otherwise have been a 40-minute ride took twice as long on foot. So clearly, there are opportunity costs to be considered, though whether the extra 40 minutes at the desk would necessarily translate into higher overall daily productivity remains moot. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is some truth to the old wives' (or should that be lithe fitness instructors'?) tale that there is nothing like a spot of exercise to get the brain going. And another technological marvel—the smartphone—means that some business can just as easily be conducted on the fly. 

True, the weather proved unexpectedly propitious (at least until it started raining again at 11, by which time people really should have been at work anyway). After last night's torrential downpour, the air was clear, crisp and, with temperatures in the mid-teens, ideal for a morning stroll. London's narrow streets afforded plentiful shade and a gentle early-September breeze meant not having to fret about the sweaty, bedraggled look that all too often accompanies a summer saunter.

Of course, not everybody is able or willing to forgo a ride. And if one were faced with a prospect of a daily march, the opportunity costs would almost certainly skyrocket, and a pleasant perambulation would start feeling like a trudge. But every now and again, an unassisted trip can be refreshing. This morning at least, many Londoners seemed to concur.

(Photo: Craigyt via Flickr)