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Bike to Work Week is May 17-21

For just one week, consider this: leave the car parked at home and travel to work using good, old-fashioned muscle power.

Bike to Work Week is May 17-21, and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21. The League of American Bicyclists promotes the events as part of May’s National Bike Month. Employees across the country are encouraged to walk to work if biking is not an option.

As a rule, commuting to work will take about twice as long as driving, though a study by New York City’s Transportation Alternatives shows that trips less than 3 miles are often faster by bike, and those 5 to 7 miles long take about the same time.

Commuting by bike has a world of benefits including:

  • A better body. Ride your bike to work, and you no longer need to make time to exercise.
  • More money in your pocket. The average annual price of keeping an automobile running: at least $3,000. The cost of running a bike for a year: less than $300. The joy of saving more than two grand this year: priceless.
  • Clean air: Riding a bike is a simple way to improve the environment.

Can’t commit to a long commute?

Cut it in half. The first day, drive to work with your bike, then ride home that night. Ride to work the next morning, then drive home, and so on. Or drive halfway to a mall or other safe place, park your car, and ride the rest of the way. Bus services often allow bicyclists to bring their bikes on board, so you can ride your bike part of the way, then ride the bus the remainder of your trip.

Rules of the road

Bicyclists are required to follow the same basic road rules as motorists. When cyclists follow traffic laws, traveling in a predictable fashion and communicating their intentions to other road users, it increases personal safety. It’s not just a good idea – in Idaho, it’s the law.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, 85 percent of all serious bicycle crashes don’t even involve a moving car. Among the remaining accidents, most are avoidable. Cyclists who learn and obey the rules of the road have 80 percent fewer collisions than those who do not. Here are some essential safety tips:
  • Ride on the right, with the flow of traffic.
  • Be predictable. Avoid sudden swerves and stops. Signal when turning or stopping.
  • Be visible. Wear bright, reflective clothing. Use lights and reflectors in low-light conditions.
  • Obey all traffic signals including stop signs and lights.
  • Have at least one hand in control of your bicycle at all times.
  • Use bike lanes whenever possible.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • Ride defensively and respectfully. Watch for people who may not be looking for you, and be courteous to other users of the road.

For more information, visit www.bike-to-work.com or http://www.bikeleague.org .
sources: Idaho Bicycle Commuter Guide, League of American Bicyclists and http://www.BiketoWork.com

Download the Idaho Commuter Bike Guide (pdf)

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