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:

What Kind of Bike-Curious Are You? Rules of the Road Essential Bike-Curious Commuter Gear Tips for Bike-Curious Parents Create Your Own Cycling Routes Cycling: For Your Physical Health

Bike-Curious Shirts and Buttons! Are You Bike-Curious? Sign the Pledge! Bike Classes State-by-State Cycling Information Bike Curious around the World Still More Bike Curious?