Lance Armstrong's Tips for a Greener Lifestyle

On the Road to Green

I'm a firm believer in the idea that people can do amazing things. Adopting a greener lifestyle is one of them. It's simple to begin making a positive impact. Like any endeavor, it starts with a few small actions and then builds momentum.

Living a green lifestyle isn't just good for the planet, it's also good for you. You have the power to steer your choices in a direction that lowers your carbon footprint and at the same time benefits your health, your wallet, and your overall quality of life.

Here are a few tips to help you put a green foot forward.

- Lance Armstrong

Lance's Tips:

Commuting to work.

The bicycle is a great form of transportation as well as a recreation tool. Instead of burning fossil fuel, commute to work by bicycle and burn calories. Some workplaces now provide showers, lockers, and secure bicycle storage for cycling commuters, and you may even be eligible for benefits under the new Bicycle Commuter Act. Check with your employer.

In my hometown of Austin, Texas, I have a bike shop downtown called Mellow Johnny's. There, we offer a bike drop, showers, storage lockers, and free coffee on Fridays for bike commuters.

Quit smoking. Better yet, never start.

Smoking is bad for your health, of course. It also pollutes the air and ground for all of us. Cigarettes contain more than 4000 chemicals, which are exhaled and released into the atmosphere. Millions of cigarette butts are thrown onto the ground every day. Some end up in rivers and lakes, poisoning fish and other animals. And think about the packaging waste.

We all want to be healthy and enjoy active lives. People who smoke hurt themselves, the people who love them, and the world we all live in.

Filter your water.

Every day in America, 60 million disposable plastic water bottles are produced, filled, transported, and discarded. Here's a healthier, greener, and more economical idea: a water filtration pitcher that connects to your kitchen sink. For taste and convenience, I think the best filtered water comes from Clear₂O®. You can read more about it on this Web site.

For clean water whenever and wherever you need it, check out the latest in mobile devices: the new Clear2Go™ reusable portable water bottle with 100-gallon filter life.

Encourage your kids to ride a bike.

Driving children to and from after-school activities, sporting events, and friends' homes consumes precious time and fuel. Once your child reaches an appropriate age, encourage him or her to make those trips on a bicycle. Invest in a helmet, and make sure your child knows the rules of the road before setting out. When you can, cycle along.

Cycling with my son Luke and my twins Isabelle and Grace means a little more exercise for them and an opportunity for us to enjoy the outdoors together.