Biking to work is becoming popular
Workers in big cities are turning to bicycles for their daily commute.
Photo: Trailnet/Flickr “Fahey, an avid biker, says he's just trying to encourage a little exercise — and he wants the opportunity to get to know folks informally. As the group makes the 15-mile trek to Hains Point along the Potomac River and back, Fahey makes a point of chatting with everyone, staffers say.” Source: NPR
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Believe it or not, now you can get reimbursed $20 per month for bicycle expenses, accessories, maintenance, etc. Instructions at http://www.ehow.com/how_5051303_receive-_20-month-biking-work.html
My car's head gasket blew, so I switched to bike in the meantime. Work is 10 miles away, and it only takes me 45 minutes to ride by bike. The bus takes over an hour most times, and by car it is 15-20 min. I really like the sense of accomplishment, the increased appetite, cardiovascular health, not waiting at stoplights, etc. I don't like having to breathe car exhaust, or the potentially distracted drivers that could end my well being in a heartbeat (same in a car). Wind is sometimes.... More
Not a good idea if you want to stay alive and gain any influence in convincing others to ride and local government to provide you with cycling friendly infrastructure!
I've been car free for over two years now, love it! Bike to work, to the post office, downtown, just got back from the grocery store... The bike is great for the commute and for fun rides on the weekend. If you want to start tracking your miles check out gbt.co
I know those guys!
Been at it since 1990....... 10 degrees out this morning in Minneapolis. After this breakfast bowl of tastyness and coffee it's off to work. Bicycles are Freedom! Get Some! Look for Minneapolis Mafia on my space.
My friend hopped on my bicycle and took off when we were going to the park to play ball. I ran after him, but was a full block behind when he rode out to cross the State Highway without looking. I see him moving sideways. He survived. The guy who hit him gave him a new bicycle. He went to AF Academy and became a Phantom pilot. Guess that's the type that fly those things.
My friend hopped on my bicycle and took off when we were going to the park to play ball. I ran after him, but was a full block behind when he rode out to cross the State Highway without looking. I see him moving sideways. He survived. The guy who hit him gave him a new bicycle. He went to AF Academy and became a Phantom pilot. Guess that's the type that fly those things.
Commuting 14 miles round trip and calculated I've done over 10K miles in the last 5 years. I look like a geek with all the blinking lights all over the bike and me, and I stay on the road 99% of the time. The rare times I've had to be on the sidewalk (going around an accident, a flooded road, or major road construction) have been the source of the almost-accidents I have had. I go on a tough stretch of road too but I am predictable, and keep observant for drivers who might be a risk, and don't.... More
Commuting 14 miles round trip and calculated I've done over 10K miles in the last 5 years. I look like a geek with all the blinking lights all over the bike and me, and I stay on the road 99% of the time. The rare times I've had to be on the sidewalk (going around an accident, a flooded road, or major road construction) have been the source of the almost-accidents I have had. I go on a tough stretch of road too but I am predictable, and keep observant for drivers who might be a risk, and don't.... More
I rode my bike to work during the Arab oil embargo and went over the handlebars when I got my bike wheel caught in the railroad tracks. I'm now retired and still ride to fend off diabetes. I had my pic taken by the cops twice for riding a bike as they thought I look like a criminal I guess and then when I went out for a walk, they put a decoy car in my walking path. Never had any problem with criminals exercising only cops and I'm a 13.5 gallon blood donor and retired Nuclear.... More
Many train stations in Australia have bike lock-ups where you can leave your bike in a cage, lock it up inside and catch the train to work. This works well when you don't work close enough to home to ride all the way and it's safer than just locking it up anywhere. Best part is cycling emits no pollution and is FREE. Saving the world doesn't have to cost a cent and here's why http://33ways.wordpress.com/donations/ .... More
I've been biking to work since 1998. It's faster and more reliable than public transit and it's good exercise. Since I also do a great deal of biking on weekends, my commutes are almost like "rest days" for me. Since the beginning I've been fortunate in that my commute is relatively short (no need for a shower when I arrive at the office) and on roads that mostly have either bike lanes or bike route markings. There is reasonably secure bike parking where I work, which is also fortunate..... More
I've been biking to work for the last 3 years and it's been so great for my general sense of well being. I actually enjoy going to work in the morning and feel wide awake when I get there. I especially enjoy riding on very cold winter mornings (in Pennsylvania). Try it if you don't live too far away from your job--you might become addicted!
I love my bike. I generally ride 3 times a week and do about 80 to 100 miles per week. My long ride (50-60 miles) is usually on Sunday morning when traffic is lightest and I try to squeeze in a couple of 18 mile rides in during the week either very early in the morning or at night doing loops of my neighborhood. We do have bike lanes in most of the places I ride here in the Orlando area. You can tell where the bike lane is by looking for the broken glass, stones and road trash that.... More
I can shave about 15 miinutes off my commute to and from the train station by biking. No waiting for the buses and I can avoid the freight train crossings the buses need to use
it is disappointing that drivers don't recognize that bikes have the right AND responsibility to ride on the road. I've been "aimed" at by cars almost too many times to count and it's frightening. Reporting these accounts to the local (pasadena, ca) police is nearly fruitless--they try to talk me out of making a formal report. Frustrating. but biking is great for my health and sanity. My commute is 6 miles one way, down hill on the way to work. Give it a try!!
Biking is not as dangerous as it feels at first. Collisions from the rear are actually only 3% of bike-related injuries--the reast are caused by foolish habits and, interstingly, riding on sidewalks. Take your lane, ride predictably and like any vehicle, wear lights (in anything but the brightest sunshine) and you'll be fine. Anything happening behind you is somethign you can't do anything about, so resist the urge to turn around to check it out--taking your eyes off the road is far more.... More
They need to change the laws to allow bikes on sidewalks. Drivers do the same thing to people on motorcycles. Who gets hurt more? I bike-person collision or a bike-car?
Jay- this is a terrible idea. What we need is bikes on the road with other wheeled traffic, and a much more rigorous licensing system. Driving in US is ludicrous- once around the block is usually enough to get your license. Crazy.
Really, I'm too scared to commute.
Last year I rode 2200 miles commuting to work (11 miles round trip). This year I have that much and am still riding. I too am critical of cyclists that wear dark clothing and don't follow the rules of the road. Our city, Harrisonburg, VA and many others are spending money on road improvements for cyclists. We cyclists need to respect all of the traffic laws as we expect motorists to do the same. It upsets me to see cyclists run red lights and travel on the wrong side of the road. I believe the.... More
I cannot agree more that cyclists should be held to higher standards. Police should enforce laws that are on the books. I live in an area that has a high population of cyclists, cycle lanes, and trails. Cyclists regularly run lights, stop signs, cut across traffic etc, then complain about motorists. There is a balance. A cyclist cut my wife off in traffic, and kept going. The result was my wife avoided the cyclist and hit another vehicle. The cyclist kept moving. I'm fed up with the bad.... More
Many studies have been done in recent years on the subject of how much it costs to build and maintain our roads, and who pays the bills. The numbers I will cite below come from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, which has pulled together statistics from many of these studies. If you want a more in-depth analysis of this question you can crunch numbers til your eyes cross at their website: .... More
come to a complete stop, actually yield, do the speed limit, don't tailgate, stop passing on the right when the car in front of yours is making a left, etc., etc., I'll be sure to obey all of the laws that apply to me and bicycle. Screw you.
That's the sort of cyclist mentality that has me fuming. There are many many good cyclists, but there are quite a vocal minority that push everyone's buttons. The comment "scew you" pretty much says it all posted by Dan. These are the folks that cause the accidents, yell at kids on trails, and think that they can do what ever they like and are above it all.
Allan - You are correct about Dan's comment. But, judging a group of people exercising a personal transportation choice by the comment of one is an inaccurate generalization. Perhaps this fits your agenda, but that does not make it righteous.
There is something else to consider between bad cyclists and bad drivers. Bad cyclists generally place themselves at greater risk of harm whereas bad drivers generally place others at greater risk of harm. With degrees of choices there are.... More
I agree with the exception that I would perfere to face the oncomming traffic verus having it come from behind.
Everyone should follow the rules of traffic lights.
Most people don't realize that bikes are doing 15-20 mph. That makes it much too dangerous to ride against the flow of traffic. The 2 things that cars needs to do when they passing a cyclist is to slow down and much sure they can pass safely. I cannot tell you how many times cars have passed me in a curve or go over a hill not being able to see and had to either come back over or the on coming car had to slow down or stop.
Well, you are just wrong. Riding with the traffic is the law and this is the proper way to ride. Much about safety on the road is about predictability. When you are in a car you expect others to act a certain way. When you deviate from the standard, you are inviting accidents.
Here is a good example. This summer in Mrytle Beach, which has a bike lane on the main road, I was surprised to see bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. I could have very easily NOT looked to the right.... More
I understand that it feels like riding against traffic would be safer, but at least one study has shown that it's actually three times more dangerous to ride against traffic than with it. Among other problems, cars coming out of driveways or onto roads won't be looking in your direction, since they're not expecting traffic coming that way, and you can't safely or legally make a right hand turn. It also provides less reaction time between you and the driver of a car, and greatly increases the.... More
I bike 4 miles to work every clear day. I always wear dark clothes and carefully swerve in and out of lanes. Since the speed limit is only 30 mph for most of the way I find it exciting to try to create the "occasional" car accident. I'm really hoping to get some lame injury soon so that I can sue. Christmas bills are getting a little high this year!
I still an unsure of adv of hybrid vs electric
I lived about 3 miles from my office and thankfully dress was casually jeans and a collared shirt. On the way to work I rode relaxed at about 13-15mph so not to break a sweat. Going home I pedal harder.
Also the roads you drive to work are not the road you bicycle to work. Check your maps, the side streets cutting through neighborhoods is much preferred. A little longer but safer. I feel it's liberating not to depend 100% on my car each and every day.
I started biking to kindergarten in 1974 (Mom by my side). I still bike to work daily (sans Mom) and my family of six only owns one car. I've saved tens of thousands of dollars in vehicles, insurance, maintenance, gas, etc... On top of that I still run a six-minute mile at 40+ years old.
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I'm all for it. I can't, commute is too long.
I just want people on bikes to stay off the road if possible. They have to stay safe for their sake and the car drivers. I've had so many encounters where they are swerving on the shoulder into the lane. At the same time, there is a bike/walking path 6 feet away. Or they wear dark clothes at dawn and you can't see them. If they can bike to work without making a dangerous hazard to car drivers then I'm 100% for it.
Bikes are a haxard to cars. Come on, you are in two tons of high speed steel and we are a hazard to you?
I've been noticing more and more bike lanes down here in the Crescent City. Wish I could commute to work but I live over 30 miles away and would have to cross via interstate and bridges. But I would serously consider moving in closer to be able to do this because car insurance, gasoline and the cost of upkeep and purchasing automobiles is eating far too much of my money ... I could retire on this money easily ....
Find a place on the route that you can park your car and bike the rest of the way.
In many states and municipalities, bicycle riders can be ticketed for riding on the sidewalk. Bicycles are considered motor vehicles and are required to be in the street. I understand your logic in thinking that the sidewalk is safer, but this is not true when it comes to intersections and driveways. I would strongly recommend that all drivers and cyclists review the laws in their city on this topic. The self-righteousness on both sides of this argument (not referring to the original poster.... More
There's no question you're correct "He is in my lane", but I think we've all become a bit lost in a cyclists versus car debate (we've meaning people on both sides). They are really all just people from the same group...aggressive commuters. The transgressions you see cyclists making and drivers are just functions of the type of vehicles they use...the underlying problem is the lack of discipline of the user.
Though I haven't biked to work in 15 years (and don't want to in Phoenix, an.... More
I live close to work, so I ride to work during the warmer months (approx. 5-6 mos/yr), and walk the other months, weather permitting. I feel SO much better on the days that I ride vs. drive. The mental perks are just as important.
Downsides: The risk of death. (Drivers do not pay attention, or are aggressive.) I probably stink since I go out and ride during lunch. Luckily, I share an office with someone who can't smell-- or at least says he can't!
...is being able to be smug about it.
Additional benefits:
often faster than other commuting options
quick zip on city streets is better than coffee to wake you up in the morning
FUN - arrive at work in a good mood
I've been riding safely for over 10 years to work and love it. Cheaper, easier and I'm stronger. And new bike rock!
I move to San Francisco from New Orleans 4 years ago. I sold my car mere months after I moved here and picked up a bike instead. Not only am I saving an upwards of $700/month for Car Note + Gas + Insurance + Parking + Parking Tickets + Maintenance, but I am staying in relative shape as well. Being a code monkey (programmer) doesn't leave much room for exercise during the day, but my 10 mile round trip (half down hill, half uphill to 500 feet elevation) commute helps keep those pounds from.... More
