The high cost of gas has many commuters scrambling to find alternatives to driving their cars to work or school. While walking, taking public transit or car pooling are all environmentally friendly ways to get around, many people are turning to cycling as an inexpensive, healthy and fun way to get around. It is faster than walking and much cheaper than public transit or car pooling. Plus it is getting easier in many cities as municipalities add more bike lanes and trails for cyclists.
Compared to buying and insuring a car, maintenance and fuel costs, the costs involved in riding a bike are minimal. There are two major concerns, however, that many people have about biking to work: safety and bike theft. These issues are being addressed in many major cities by building bike lanes and trails, and providing safety training for children and adults. To help prevent bike theft, there are several creative solutions. For example, in Victoria, BC, the city will help cover 50 percent of the cost and installation for well-designed bike racks for local businesses. Other options are a bicycle parking/valet service and locker rentals available at many locations in North America and Europe.
In the UK, the city of Bristol is hoping to double the number of cyclists in three years by building a bike facility in the downtown core where cyclists can park their bikes and even have a shower before going to work.
Some climates are not conducive to cycling year round, but parking the car for even three or four months in the summer can make a huge difference to the air quality and the health of the cyclists. Bicycles, which are used by billions of people around the world, are the ultimate green solution because they don’t pollute the air, they cut down on traffic congestion and, at a time when obesity is at an all time high, it gets people active.
