Healthy and Scenic Commutes in Boston

Photograph via Boston Globe/Getty Images

As disgruntled straphangers already know, July heralds the arrival of the MBTA’s price increases: Monthly LinkPasses will now cost $84.50, up from $75. Sure, fares are only going up $9.50 a month. But for those already sick of crowded-beyond-belief rush-hour journeys, that price bump may be just enough to get them to swear off public transit in favor of commuting by foot or wheel.

Another benefit of skipping the T? A smaller waistline. Ahead, a look at the calories you could burn along four different routes, plus three commutes with a view.

Your Commute Is .5 miles
Roughly Hynes Convention Center to Copley

Calories burned per round trip per day:

Walking: 90
Biking: 95

Calories burned per round trip per week:

Walking: 450
Biking: 475

Calories burned per round trip per year:

Walking: 23,400
Biking: 24,700

Your Commute Is 1 mile
Roughly Back Bay to Downtown Crossing

Calories burned per round trip per day:

Walking: 180
Biking: 190

Calories burned per round trip per week:

Walking: 900
Biking: 950

Calories burned per round trip per year:

Walking: 46,800
Biking: 49,400

Your Commute Is 3 miles
Roughly Savin Hill to South Station

Calories burned per round trip per day:

Walking: 540
Biking: 470

Calories burned per round trip per week:

Walking: 2,700
Biking: 2,350

Calories burned per round trip per year:

Walking: 140,400
Biking: 122,200

Your Commute Is 5 miles
Roughly Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing

Calories burned per round trip per day:

Walking: 900
Biking: 660

Calories burned per round trip per week:

Walking: 4,500
Biking: 3,300

Calories burned per round trip per year:

Walking: 234,000
Biking: 171,600

Commutes with a View

Take your trip off-road with three lovely routes that parallel oft-traveled T journeys.

Photograph by Susan Smith/Flickr

Paul Dudley White Bike Path

Trade the Green Line for actual greenery: This Charles River route stretches from the Museum of Science to Watertown Square.

Photograph by Smiling Cat/Flickr

Neponset River Greenway

Who needs the Red Line? This trail comprises a network of beautiful parks snaking through Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Milton.

Photograph by Connie/Flickr

Southwest Corridor Park

Run alongside 4.7 miles of Orange Line tracks, from Forest Hills to Back Bay. Bonus: The park will never get packed during rush hour.

Walking estimates are based on research from California State University at San Bernardino for 156-pound subjects. Biking estimates are based on Stanford University calculations for a 155-pound person. Actual calories burned will vary.