Are You Bike-Curious?
Everyone’s doing it.
And by everyone, we mean over 45 million Americans, including Earl. See that girl at the corner, waiting for the stop light to turn green? She’s doing it. And that guy in the bank carrying a helmet? He’s certainly experimenting. Thousands of Americans age 18-30 are doing it every week.
So don’t worry. You’re not alone. As the temperature and gas prices continue to rise, more and more Americans are becoming Bike-Curious. So we’re here to try and help answer some questions and make it easier for you to get on a bike. Or, if you’ve already know you’re a bike fanatic, we want you to share your stories and pictures from the road.
But first, if you’re questioning whether you, too, are Bike-Curious, here is some information for you:
• Commuting 2 or 3 miles by bike takes only 15 minutes and the round trip satisfies the CDC recommendations for daily physical activity. Over the course of an hour, a 130-pound cyclist burns 402 calories and an 180-pound cyclist burns 540 calories (while pedaling 14 miles per hour).
• Bicycles cost far less than automobiles to purchase and maintain, and do not require a continual intake of increasingly expensive gasoline. Between six and twenty bicycles can be parked in the space a motor vehicle requires for parking. Bicycles also cause little, if any, wear and tear on roadways.
• Cycling is a $5.8 billion industry in the U.S., employing close to 100,000 people in research and development, manufacturing, distribution, retail sales, service, and tourism. In 2005, Americans bought 19.8 million bicycles – surpassing the total number of cars and trucks sold nationwide by 4.4 million.
Have we piqued your interest? According to a survey, 40 percent of working Americans are not yet Bike-Curious, but want to be. As President Obama’s Recovery Package helps more cities make their infrastructure bicycle friendly, and as Americans flock to cheaper and healthier ways to get around town, now may be the perfect time to adopt a Bike-Curious lifestyle.
So here’s what you’ll need to know:
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What Kind of Bike-Curious Are You? Essential Bike-Curious Commuter Gear |
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Bike-Curious Shirts and Buttons! Are You Bike-Curious? Sign the Pledge! |
Comments
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Posted by Tom Crouse on Saturday, March 13 at 12:49 a.m.
Keep up the good work. During the warmer months in Sheboygan, WI, I commute about 8 miles one way to work. I enjoy the birds singing in the morning, seeing flowers in yards people have planted, and just saying "good morning" to others out and about on the way to work.
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Posted by Philip Lohman on Monday, March 15 at 11:12 p.m.
It's great to see efforts like this. Cycling is really starting to catch on. I commuted to work for years; my current job is too far away (16 miles of fast, complex traffic, only about a mile or two of bike lanes) but I try to get around town on weekends on two wheels. For newbies to commuting: it's easier than you think: get a GOOD bike (bike shop, not discount store), pay attention, keep your eyes open, make sure drivers see you and that they know what you're going to do; you'll be fine. I've ridden thousands of miles and the only time I got hurt was when I FELL off at 3mph in a parking lot at night. One of those times that I let my mind wander. Result: Broken wrist. Worst part was that it was four months before I could get back on my bike. I' m 67 and still riding.
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Posted by David Collins on Wednesday, March 17 at 09:44 a.m.
Bicycle commuting? Go for it! I used to commute 25 miles each way to my last job (until it got offshored). Much of the ride was on the Chicago lakefront bike path, which is awesome as the sun comes up. And on a summer afternoon, the scenery sucks a guy's eyeballs out, at the Oak Street beach (puts a man in a great state of mind for when he gets home). I'm now part of the unwillingly retired and need to keep expenses way down. Not having a car helps.
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Posted by Tim Forker on Friday, March 19 at 10:26 a.m.
Do you ever bike with your fellow Congressfolk from NYC? They need to get with the program! I bicommute about 3x a week, about 12 miles round trip. Biggest thrill: Manhattan Bridge descent. Conditions have improved under our current mayor, but cyclists need to stay visible (lights, etc) and obey the traffic rules, too!
In almost four decades of public service, Earl Blumenauer's innovative accomplishments in transportation, planning, environmental programs and public participation have helped Portland, Oregon earn an international reputation as one of America's most livable cities.