In Detroit, biking is doable at least during the 7-8 months of the year with no snow. The guy probably has access to secure locking facilities at home and work as bryanlarsen pointed out. He is paid $84.40 per day at his hourly rate of $10.55/hour so he can definitely afford a working used bike starting around $50.
Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
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Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#22Why is it that everyone's first response seems to be along the lines of patting this guy on the back for his dedication to getting to work (an applaudable work ethic, to be sure) but no one condemns his employer for his abysmal hourly wage, which is what forces this ridiculous commute? According to TFA, he's a favorite of the company owners—but apparently not such a favorite that they can bump the wages of a worker w…
Just because you like somebody who works for you doesn't mean it makes financial sense for the company to pay them more.
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just because you like somebody who works for you doesn't mean it makes financial sense for the company to pay them more.
Given the man's dedication to his job and impacts his actions has to health, it makes financial sense for the company to help him out financially in either securing a car or a closer place to live or risk losing a valued employee.
I'm playing devil's advocate here, because I also sympathize with the story. But money really does rule all and cold business decisions are often unpleasant.
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#24Looks like he may end up with a pretty nice ride! http://www.gofundme.com/l7girc
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#25Why is it that everyone's first response seems to be along the lines of patting this guy on the back for his dedication to getting to work (an applaudable work ethic, to be sure) but no one condemns his employer for his abysmal hourly wage, which is what forces this ridiculous commute? According to TFA, he's a favorite of the company owners—but apparently not such a favorite that they can bump the wages of a worker w…
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
Given the man's dedication to his job and impacts his actions has to health, it makes financial sense for the company to help him out financially in either securing a car or a closer place to live or risk losing a valued employee.
Or they could fire him and just hire somebody closer to their office. I'm playing devil's advocate here, because I also sympathize with the story. But money really does rule all and cold business decisions are often unpleasant.
I'm as liberal as the next guy, but stop pretending that companies are the most efficient, overhead-hating entities around and as such cannot deal with the poor common man, because we all know they're not.
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#27Why is it that everyone's first response seems to be along the lines of patting this guy on the back for his dedication to getting to work (an applaudable work ethic, to be sure) but no one condemns his employer for his abysmal hourly wage, which is what forces this ridiculous commute? According to TFA, he's a favorite of the company owners—but apparently not such a favorite that they can bump the wages of a worker w…
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#28http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2015/...
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#29There are so many things that could solve this guy's problems.
1. He could buy a bike.
2. He could move closer to work.
3. He could buy a crappy car.
4. He could move to just about any city other than Detroit. I guarantee he could find a labor-based job making $8-10 an hour that wouldn't require him to walk 20 miles every day, if he was just willing to move.
The fact of the matter is that this guy has been deliberately choosing to live this way for more than ten years straight, even though he has numerous ways of getting out of his situation.
On top of that, the guy is apparently "picky" about who he will ride with, refusing help from co-workers who would otherwise give him rides, because he likes to be "independent".
The whole story is mind-boggling, sure, but if there's one thing I know, it's that this guy doesn't need our pity or our donations.
Re: Heart and sole: Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute
#30Why is it that everyone's first response seems to be along the lines of patting this guy on the back for his dedication to getting to work (an applaudable work ethic, to be sure) but no one condemns his employer for his abysmal hourly wage, which is what forces this ridiculous commute? According to TFA, he's a favorite of the company owners—but apparently not such a favorite that they can bump the wages of a worker w…