These Glacial-fed Rivers Are so Pristine, People Commute to Work by Swimming in Them

""I only had like 30 seconds walking from my office to the river," local Evelyn Schneider-Reyes shared, highlighting the convenience of river commuting in Bern."

""Many tourists are amazed at this," said Michael Schärer, head of the Water Body Protection Section, referring to the clean waterways as an 'incredible luxury.'"

In Swiss towns like Bern and Basel, rising gas prices have led commuters to adopt river commuting during summer. Locals use the Aare River, enjoying a quick and pleasant journey to work. They pack essentials in dry bags and often use flotation devices or rafts. This trend emerged after significant investments in wastewater systems in the 1960s, which improved water quality. While the rivers are clean and inviting, temperatures can be cold outside peak summer months due to glacial sources.

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