Getting More Americans To Bike To Work

If we accept the idea that cycling in the U.S. hasn’t caught on because of cultural reasons, the questions before us are these:

1. Should a concerted effort be made to change that culture?  If so, why?
2. What needs to be done to make that change?

In response to the first question, I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes,” with the acknowledgment that some of the constraints mentioned in the previous post still hold.  In many parts of the U.S., regular transportation by bike is simply impractical.  For instance, I live 21 miles from my place of work.  To make matters worse, most of the roads are not conducive for bikes  It is not practical for people that live on my road to ride their bikes to work on a daily basis.  Having said that, there are many people (including some of my co-workers) who do live less than 5-miles from work.  And, to be fair, some of them do ride to work on a regular basis.

Why More Americans Don’t Ride Their Bikes To Work

The potential communal benefits of cycling in a rural setting are less well-defined than those for individuals who live in highly urbanized areas.  People who dwell in large population centers may be better served by using a bicycle for their primary transportation than a car.  It is no secret that these areas are plagued by traffic congestion, smog, and frustrated drivers.  Many businesses have arisen as a by-product of the inability to transport items through the tangle of places like New York.  It happens more frequently in other parts of the world, as evidenced by the recent NPR story about amputees who have started a bike messenger service.

The, of course, there are the benefits to the individual.  According to the website Nutristrategy.com, a 155 lb. person cycling at a pace of 14 mph should burn about 844 calories per hour.  If you lived 7-miles from work, for every day you bike, you would burn an extra 844 calories.  If you choose to do that 3 days/week, you would burn an extra 2400 calories.  Imagine the benefits to society in terms of improved health, if more people did that…

So, how can we make this happen?  I believe the construction of greenways in urban areas is probably the biggest single route to the promotion of cycling.  If there are paved paths that allow cyclists to move readily between the most needed areas of cities, those paths will be used.  They must provide a reliable, safe route that is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists.  Although bicycles are legally entitled to the same rights on roadways as automobiles, the reality of the situation is that in many places around the country, cyclists are viewed by drivers as a nuisance.  And no matter what the law says, an encounter between a car and a bicycle can only end badly for the cyclist.  Period.

There are many other smaller changes that are being done to further promote cycling.  Many employers are installing bike racks and providing facilities employees who cycle to work to shower and change.  Some cities are also joining in by placing bike racks in strategic places around cities.  Washington D.C. is examining a proposal to install bicycle rental stations that would allow residents to quickly rent bicycles to move between areas in a city.

These changes are a start toward promoting cycling as a viable method of dependable transportation, particularly in urban areas.  Ultimately, it will be necessary to change the perception of cycling from a “kid’s” activity to one of adult transportation.  The rising cost of fuel has pushed more people to consider cycling than ever before.  That change will ultimately promote greater energy independence, reduce fuel costs, and improve the health of the public at large.  That sounds to me like a good deal.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!