Bicycle commuting – is it a trend?

Gas over 3$ I bought a hybrid style bike-I have been biking 20 miles round trip to work one day a week.

1. Yes there is a trend and it is up.

   Some governments actually promote it. Although this usually only takes place after much lobbying and consultation by/with cycling groups. Once the benefits are made clear it isn’t so hard to get governments more interested.

   • Transport:
   Maintaining and improving cycling networks
   involves high costs to the national, state and local
   governments, while the costs of congestion are estimated to higher.More people riding bicycles can help reduce congestion and this cost to the community. Bikes also have minimal impact on road surfaces.
   Providing cycling infrastructure and facilities is space efficient.
   Over short distances, for example up to five kilometres, bikes
   can be quick and efficient as they enable door to door service and
   can be parked close to destinations.

   • Health:
   Regular cycling, as a moderate intensity physical
   activity, provides a number of health benefits. Cycling can
   contribute to the prevention of a number of physical and
   psychological illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and depression. Physical inactivity is now one of the highest risk factors contributing to illness, disability and premature death for both men and women . Increasing the number of cycling trips also has health benefits for the wider community
   such as reduced air pollution and strain on the health care
   system. Importantly, the rate of injury to cyclists “is lower than
   other popular forms of exercise.

   • Economy:
   The cost of buying and maintaining a bike is around 1% of the cost of buying and maintaining a car. Cycling 10 km to work each day can save an
   individual around $1700 per year in transport costs. Businesses can also benefit from encouraging staff to cycle to work as staff will be more punctual, take less sick days, and demonstrate improved productivity. In the local area, travelling by bicycle means goods and services are purchased locally, boosting the local economy. Also, provision for cycling can encourage bicycle tourism to regions and in turn attract new businesses and jobs.

   • Social equity:
   Bicycles can provide affordable, accessible and independent travel for a large number of people.
   This includes many members of the community whose access to transport might otherwise be limited, such as the unemployed, low income earners, and children. More bikes and cycling facilities in neighbourhoods reduces motor vehicle traffic, providing an improved and safer road network for pedestrians including children, seniors, and people with disabilities

   • Environment:
   Bicycle use is pollution free and the production,use and maintenance of bicycles consumes minimal fossil fuels.
   The transport sector currently produces about 16%
   greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest
   growing sector of all emissions. Sixty one percent of car trips are less than 10 km and these are the most polluting of car trips. Replacing just some of these
   trips with bike rides will improve air quality significantly. For
   each kilometre cycled instead of driven, greenhouse gas
   emissions are reduced by up to one third of a kilogram
   . Other environmental benefits from increased bicycle usage include reduced vehicle noise emissions and reduced land needs for car parking.

   There are many countrys in the world that are going to great lengths to promote commuting.

   I am more familiar with statistics of my own country (Australia) but these generally parrellel those of the U.S. and the U.K..

   To give you an Idea of what can be achieved by lobbying governments please have a read though this document.

   http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb9ede001f5eed7/Pdf_queensland_cycle_strategy.pdf

   This did take some time to evolve but it is already being implemented. (And it is working). It has taken input from hundreds or interested people and a co-operative government to acheive this.

   If you enjoy your cycling maybe you could get the ball rolling where you live. You will find many allies in the cycling community. EVERYBODY BENEFITS

2. My friend does that- due to the fact that her car just broke down. I think if you don’t work too far and the weather is nice it’s not a bad idea.

3. Couldn’t comment on a trend myself, but I’ve simply decided enough is enough considering how much time I spend behind a computer in my office. I’m doing this to get out and get healthy.

   For people within commuting range (~10 miles?), I’m not sure gas prices is the major factor unless you are in a severly traffic congested area. I’m lucky enough to live only 2.3 miles away from my work thus I go through a tank of gas every 3.5 weeks. If I start riding, I wonder how long I can go on a single tank then…

   Just my inflation-adjusted $0.02.

4. I hope so.

5. a trend? yes and no

   bike sales are up overall, but then people stop riding because it can be a lot of work or they don’t have their bikes set up properly so they get sore quickly

6. You rock! Good for you- not only do you save on gas, but you’ve solved the "I Don’t Have Time To Exercise" whine that most people have as well.

   I still need to get downtown for classes twice a week, but in another week I’ll be joining you, brother!

   To battle gas prices on a regular basis, I ride a motorcycle most days. 45mpg and 100+mph make an excellent commuting vehicle.

7. Between nicer weather and ridiculously high fuel costs, yes, I think there is a trend going. I’m only 4 miles from work, but there’s one mile of 7% grade in the way. It’s worth it, though; I’m getting stronger on the hills!