Gas costs push commuters to park and pedal (Bike-to-Work Week)

[phantom power]

More commuters are turning to bicycles today for national Bike-to-Work Day as gas prices continue to reach record highs.

"It's going to be the biggest yet," says Bill Nesper of the League of American Bicyclists, which promotes May as national Bike Month. "Our phone is ringing off the hook. We're getting lots of calls from around the country. People are doing this because of gas prices."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-16-bike-day_N.htm

[lligrd]

1. That Would Be Dang Dangerous In This Neck Of The City

I gave up riding my bike (and took my sons away) after numerous near incidents with inattentive drivers.

[phantom power]

2. I have a prediction.

I always have a prediction. Bicycling is going to become more common, and cars are going to become less common. Initially, we're going to see bicycle fatalities rise. There will be a temporary fear backlash, and many heated LTTE will be penned, on both sides. However, the economics favoring cycling over car ownership will be inexorable. At some critical ratio of bikes/cars, bicycling will become measurably safer again.

In the process, our streets will come to more closely resemble this:

[lligrd]

3. But Those Are Motorcycles

Even more dangerous.

[phantom power]

5. Either way. Motorcycles. Bicycles. Rickshaws. Skateboards...

and, of course, cars will continue their existence at some lesser frequency.

America has a peculiar cultural kink, of hiding inside our big metal shells. I'm a product of that culture, just as most Americans are. I own a large heavy Volvo wagon, purchased primarily as an armored transportation vehicle for my daughter. One might say my DNA purchased this car to ensure their survival*.

But the days of that culture are numbered. I note with interest that Asians live with the risk.




(*)that may be the most reductionist sentence I've ever written. But I bet I can top it.

[lligrd]

7. Could Be. Going To Be Quite A Switch In CA

Many people here travel more than 50 miles one way to work.

[CRF450]

8. Please, I'd feel safer if I was riding something that can keep up with traffic

Yet I wont be getting a motorcycle anytime soon.

[onehandle]

4. I try to ride to work twice a week.

Atlanta is the rated one the the worst biking cities in America.

Pray for me.

[phantom power]

9. It scares me too. Visibility is your friend.

I think two biggest problems for biking in America are the high urban speed-limits we now have, and insufficient bike lanes. I guess a third thing is simply insufficient numbers. People don't incorporate bike-awareness into their driving habits, because there aren't that many bikers. So far, it's been a self-reinforcing problem.

[IDemo]

6. Didn't realize it was Bike-to-Work Day

But I have been back on the bike as of this week for an easy 20 minute commute. I figure I'm saving myself about $10 weekly in gas.

[Trillo]

10. Employers will have to install showers and dressing facilities,

lockers, etc. Some people actually sweat (and later stink) when physically exerting their body. Perhaps some sweat more than others.

I always wondered how someone who is required to wear a suit and tie could possibly ride long distances (I'm defining that as at least 10 miles) up and down hills, without motor assist, and still be presentable on the job as the generally unreasonable employer has proven to define it in the past). I once had an employer who had a hot maintenance building (no AC), and during the summer he would come in occasionally and complain that workers needed to wear more deodorant.

One other factor to consider is how biking to work increases caloric intake requirements.

[onehandle]

11. I'm lucky. My gym is right next to my office building.

One day I bring in my work clothes. The next day I ride in, drop off my bike in my office, pick up my clothes and walk across the street to the gym.

[phantom power]

12. That may be another kink in our culture that goes away.

that is, our aversion to sweat and body odor.

[Bushfire]

13. I've been biking for about 3 weeks now

no need for a Bike to Work incentive. $3.85/gallon gas was incentive enough. Used my car just a couple times in the last few weeks.