Bikes, one of the greatest inventions popularized in the 19th century reduces the daily carbon footprints of millions of people [1]. Many people are turned off from bike riding because of bad roads, inconvenience, lack of experience, and the comforts of cars, but biking is fun and a way to lower your environmental footprint. Burning a gallon of gas releases 28 lbs of CO2; imagine the effect of driving one less time a week and how that would help the environment. [5].
There are many advantages of biking being a daily part of life: less CO2 emissions, commuter happiness, daily exercise, increased patience, and sense of community. Bikes are often much more affordable than cars. The practicality of investing in a bike when living in the city is enormous. Being able to bike at times is a luxury available for city life. Biking also reduces traffic flow on side residential streets. This improves quality of life through the decrease of air and noise pollution.
Once you have a bike just add lights, locks, reflector jacket, and bike bag, you are set for all year. Find a convenient storage location close to your door and biking will become a natural habit.
Many studies have shown an increase in happiness from shorter commutes and biking is a great way to increase job satisfaction while traveling to work [4]. Biking works almost all of the body's major muscle groups and weekly biking increases physical fitness on top of regular exercise [2].
Based on my personal experience and people I have spoken with, biking seems to increase patience levels. Bikers are used to spending more time commuting and learn to plan ahead. Bikers have to consider things like weather, travel time, bike lane availability, and where to lock up. Even using google maps and estimating a bike ride can give a rough idea of a ride, but is never complete. It is difficult to space out or not pay attention to road conditions when biking because of risk to yourself. Along similar lines to higher patience bikers might also have higher attention spans because of the constant state of alertness when biking.
Teens often want independence and cars are what they think they need to achieve this. But what if during middle school, everyone was taught to bike? Cars are very appealing, but impractical for teenagers because of cost, safety, and the wait time of one year until being able to drive friends [3]. Creating a biking culture early on would give teens independence way before they would qualify for driving a car.
Looking for a way to bike without investing time and effort into purchasing a bike? Companies like City Bike based in New York City have made biking more accessible and convenient by creating a bike sharing system. Creating a bike sharing program in your local community can help start a biking culture and bike lanes and trails. Organizations like Ibike.org have created content to help educate bikers about biking impact. If wanting to learn how to bike, contact your local bike shops for programs they may offer.
Project ideas:
- Collect and donate bikes to organizations who can distribute them to people without access
- Create a bike to school or work day where once a month (weather permitting) people can bike as a group to school or work
Thanks for reading and enjoy your biking.
Sources:
1. "Bicycles." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, edited by Thomas Riggs, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2015, pp. 129-132. Gale Biography In Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=s0937&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CCX3611000095&it=r&asid=014d15acdc651b2398aeda4b699bea08. Accessed 19 Dec. 2016.
2. “Commuter cycling: effect on physical performance in untrained men and women in Flanders: minimum dose to improve indexes of fitness.” B. de Geus, J. Joncheere, R. Meeusen. 2007. Accessed 12/19/16. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00776.x/epdf?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED_NO_CUSTOMER
3. “CT Teen Driving Restrictions for 16 and 17 Year Olds.” Accessed 12/19/16. http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&q=424252
4. Olsson, Lars E., et al. "Happiness and Satisfaction with Work Commute." Social Indicators Research, vol. 111, no. 1, 2013, p. 255+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=s0937&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA322630669&it=r&asid=ece41ff6c9461a36f1f8efda778935f0. Accessed 19 Dec. 2016.
5. Pennybacker, Mindy. Do One Green Thing. St. Martin’s Press NY. 2010. Print
