Bicycle commuting

Bicycle commuting is the act of commuting to a place of work or education by bicycle, a common form of utility cycling. Bicycling is the dominant mode of commuting in countries such as India and China and is also common in many European countries (though rare in most parts of the United States).

Ringstraße, Vienna, Austria, 2005

In the West it is common to combine bicycle commuting with public transport (also known as mixed-mode commuting). Folding bicycles are used if space, fees or restrictions interfere with taking full size bicycles along. Another alternative is to have a bicycle parked at a station.

Worldwide the bicycle is probably the most common commuter vehicle, and the second most common form of commuting after walking. While the absolute number of bicycles in existence globally may not be known, it is clear that significantly more (about twice as many) bicycles are produced than automobiles.

While different hardware serves different users in different countries, the following features are useful to many: a rear rack or panier, lights (preferably driven by an axle dynamo), disk brakes, mudguards (also called fenders), a chain guard, Hub gears, and an upright sitting position.

Advantages of bicycle commuting

Health advantages

Main article: Physical exercise

Better physical health, including reduced risk of heart disease, is one benefit of bicycle commuting. The National Institute for Health has increased the suggested amount of exercise from half an hour to an hour a day. Bicycle commuting can provide recommended daily exercise for people who don't work their muscles on the job. Furthermore, since the exercise has a practical purpose, less self discipline is required for the rider to maintain the regimen.

Integrating moderate cardiovascular exercise into daily routines is highly beneficial to health, protecting against coronary heart disease, some cancers and reducing incidence of obesity. At least one study has shown that transportational cycling confers additional benefit even among those who are otherwise fit. Commuting by bicycle is often a good way to improve a person's health during a period of time that is often spent sitting in traffic.

In some countries health insurers actively support bicycle commuting. In Germany the campaign Mit dem Rad zur Arbeit – which started in 2001 as a regional pilot project – has become a success in all 16 states with 17,901 companies and 168,589 people participating in 2008.

Measures that promote physical health, including aerobic exercise, have been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression [4]. Bicycle commuters in general enjoy greater productivity, and (particularly for the deskbound) a balance for the day, particularly in combination with stopping and stretching.

Economic advantages

Transport is the number two cost after housing for most households in rich countries. Automobiles are particularly expensive, as seen in Economics of automobile ownership and people who use cheaper transport can use the money elsewhere. Bike commuters can save on gas, oil changes, brake repairs, tires, car washes, parking fees, and a gym membership.

For an example see What do cars really cost?.

Quality-of-life advantages

Biking causes far less adverse environmental impact than any other travel mode, possibly even including walking. Since walking is physical exercise, more food must be produced to power a pedestrian over a given distance relative to a vehicle.

"Bicycle Commuting Advantages" taken from The Way of the Bicycle, by Oasis Design Press

Issues with cycle commuting

A number objections are raised by those who use alternative transport. While these concerns are not without basis in fact, most issues have been solved in one way or another by those who are committed to cycle commuting.

Distance

A folding bicycle is a common element in mixed-mode commuting

Mixed-mode commuting in a train in Luxembourg

Distance of travel is a significant limiting factor in cycle commuting. The distance an individual would be prepared to cycle, and the distance over which cycling is quicker or more convenient than other modes, will vary greatly by age, body type, personality and location. It is uncommon to find people in the West commuting more than 15 km (10 miles) each way solely by bicycle, but mixed-mode commuting (e.g. bike plus train) is more common.

London and Boston are examples of cities offering a range of options for a mixed commute. Rail stations have substantial bike parking for commuters who cycle from the station to the office and leave their bike locked up at each end. Others use folding bicycles or travel off-peak, when cycles may be carried on overground trains. Still others cycle to their local station and leave the bike there, traveling from the rail station on foot, by bus or by subway.

Safety

Main article: Bicycle safety

Safety measures for bicycle commuters differ little from those for other cyclists. Bicycle-friendly roads, though useful for all users, are sometimes promoted for the specific purpose of encouraging commuting.

Load carrying

The capacity for load storage on a bicycle is less than for most motor vehicles. Messenger bags, bike racks, panniers, crates, bike modifications, and bike trailers can increase the bicycle's load capacity, but perhaps the easiest option is simply using a backpack. The backpack also moves the center of gravity higher. In most cases the carrying of a change of clothes, small toolkit, wind and waterproof clothing, and work paraphernalia is practical. Special luggage is available for carrying laptop computers safely, although these may also be carried in normal bike luggage with a little ingenuity.

Security

The risk of theft of a bicycle over a motor vehicle is higher due to their ease of transport by the perpetrator. To combat this risk, security measures make theft more difficult and time-consuming, and less appealing to the would-be perpetrator. These methods include:

• Using a, non tubular key-based u-lock.
• Using multiple locking techniques - u-lock and a chain / cable with a padlock.
• Removing any quick-release components such as the front wheel and saddle.
  • Alternatives include securing components with cables, replacing quick release components with skewers or devices requiring a tool, or securing quick release levers with hose clamps.
• Locking all wheels and the frame to a bicycle stand.
  • If a bike rack is unavailable, using a forged steel post that cannot be easily removed and the lock cannot be slipped over. The typical urban street sign is a popular choice.
• Locking the bike under cover, unexposed to weather.
• Putting tape or adhesive labels on the bike at various locations to make the bike appear less valuable.

Personal hygiene

Cycling involves some physical exertion, which encourages sweating and the resulting issue of body odor which can create difficulties for a rider concerning dress codes. In order to be presentable for work after riding in, a number of techniques are employed, including: showering at work; showering before riding then changing to fresh clothes; riding more sedately so as not to work up a sweat. Some cyclists keep a washcloth, baby wipes, or microfiber travel towel and clean up in a public restroom upon arrival, wearing wool or any synthetic wicking fabric to keep sweat from lingering long enough to stink. Some commuters also store clothes in a bag at their workplace and change upon arrival.

Based on the volume of emails received at the Practical Pedal magazine [5] (a quarterly bicycle commute publication,) concerns about arriving to work in a smelly condition are the most frequently voiced concerns.

Speed

A cyclist can ride at 12-30+ miles per hour, 19–48 km/h. Depending on the volume of motor vehicle traffic and the distance of the commute, bicycle commuting can be quicker or slower than driving. For longer commutes, a combination strategy using a bicycle and public transit can be effective. For commuters that perform cardiovascular exercise on a regular basis, combining the two activities may result in an overall more efficient approach. As Congressman Earl Blumenauer once said: "Let's have a minute's silence for all those Americans who are currently sitting in traffic on the way to the gym to ride a stationary bicycle."

Time to Cover One Mile:

mph	km/h	time per mile (1600 meters)
30 mph	48 km/h	2 minutes
20 mph	32 km/h	3 minutes
15 mph	24 km/h	4 minutes
12 mph	19 km/h	5 minutes

Pollution

Cyclists are exposed to direct pollution from motor vehicles. However, with the cardiovascular activity, their immune system effectiveness is increased reducing the impact the pollution causes.. A study conducted in Sydney, Australia shows that cyclists are exposed to less pollution (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylenes, and NO₂) than occupants of a car. This study further reports that "even on the same roadway and taking into account increased respiration", "cyclists in Amsterdam had 2-3 times lower exposure to pollutants than car drivers". (This is possibly because bicyclists do not generally ride in the lanes of motorized traffic and therefore are not exposed as greatly to exhaust fumes, and because car cabins tend to trap particulates and fumes, even with air filters). Environmental groups advocate cycling as a means of reducing pollution.

United States Legislation

February 2005 - Bike Commuter Act - introduced by Congressman Mark Foley (Republican-Fla) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Democrat-Ore).

March 2007 - Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act (H.R.807, S.2635), introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (Democrat-OR), and currently co-sponsored by Senators Olympia Snowe (Republican-ME), Maria Cantwell (Democrat-WA), Susan Collins (Republican-ME), Richard Durbin (Democrat-Ill), Robert Menendez (Democrat-NJ), Daniel Inouye (Democrat-HI), Norm Coleman (Republican-MN), and Mike Enzi (Republican-WY).

See also

• Bicycle-friendly
• Bicycle transportation engineering
• Bike to Work Week Victoria
• Bike-to-Work Day
• European city bike
• Segregated cycle facilities
• Icebiking
• Times-up!
• Utility bicycle
• Utility cycling

External links

General

• Commuting 101 commutebybike.com
• Commute by bike CommuteByBike.net
• Bike & equipment reviews BikeCommuters.com
• Resources for the Aspiring Bike Commuter C.I.C.L.E.
• Practical cycling Bicycling Life
• Biking to Work Manual Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
• Bike Commuting in the Philippines
• Commuting pages Paul Dorn
• Commuting pages Ken Kifer
• Commuting Advice London Cycling Campaign
• "Bicycle versus Bus" cartoon comparing one artist's experiences in Brisbane
• A list of bicycle collectives and coops promoting bike commuting

Australia

• BikeCollectives Wiki international listing of community bicycle groups