Bicycle commuting

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Bicycle commuting
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Recreational cycling

Bicycle commuting is the act of commuting to work or school 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).

In the West it is common to combine bicycle commuting with other means of public transportation (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. In most countries any bicycle that will move is considered suitable for commuting, while in the West you are more likely to find a commuter bike is fitted with most or all of the following: rear rack, light system, fenders (also called mudguards), panniers, and a chain guard. Hub gears (or no gears at all) are also common.

Contents

[edit] Health

Studies have shown[1]that 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 your health in time you would otherwise spend sitting in traffic.

In some countries health insurers actively support bicycle commuting. In Germany the campaign Mit dem Rad zur Arbeit[2] – which started in 2001 as a regional pilot project – has become a success in 15 of 16 states with 11,740 companies and 101,529 people participating.

[edit] Issues with cycle commuting

There are a number of issues to be addressed with respect to cycle commuting, many of which are raised as objections by those who choose not to do so. While it is undoubtedly a matter of personal choice, and these concerns are not without basis in fact, it is true to say that there are very few issues which have not been solved in one way or another by those who are committed to cycle commuting.

[edit] Distance

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, gender, personality and location. It is uncommon to find people in the West commuting distances over 15km (10 miles) each way solely by bicycle, but mixed-mode commuting (e.g. bike plus train) is more common[citation needed].

To consider London, as an example: the rail termini have substantial bike parks which are used by 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, travelling on from the rail terminus on foot, by bus or by underground.

[edit] Safety

The largest cause of serious and fatal injuries to cyclists is collision with motor vehicles. Studies have shown[citation needed] that the driver is to blame in between 2/3 and 5/6 of collisions where a cyclist is injured. Some advocate separation of motorised and non-motorised traffic, but the safety benefit of such measures is unproven. The benefits of cycling have been calculated to outweigh the risks by around 20:1[3] [4]. Risk per cyclist has been observed to be lowest where cycling is most common, and to reduce as numbers cycling increases.

[edit] Load carrying

The capacity for load storage on a bicycle is limited and less than for a motor vehicle. Messenger bags, bike racks, panniers, crates, and bike trailers can increase the bicycle's load capacity. In most cases the carrying of a change of clothes, small toolkit, waterproofs 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.

[edit] 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, it is necessary to make the target bicycle difficult to steal and less appealing to the would-be perpetrator. Some recommended security methods are:

  • Use a high quality, key-based u-lock.
  • Remove any quick-release components such as the front wheel and saddle.
  • Lock all wheels and the frame to a bike rack.
    • If a bike rack is unavailable, use a forged steel post that cannot be easily removed and the lock cannot be slipped over.
  • If possible, lock the bike indoors.
  • Tarnish the bicycle by removing decals and paint.
  • Put tape on the bike at various locations to make the bike less presentable.

[edit] Sanitation

Cycling involves some physical exertion. 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 and clean up in a public restroom upon arrival. If the workplace has a particular dress code that is uncomfortable for commuting on bicycle, the clothes can be stored in a bag or at the workplace and changed into upon arrival.

[edit] Speed

Depending on the volume of motor vechicle 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 using a folding bicycle or if local ordinances permit bicycles on the transit system. 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."

[edit] 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.[citation needed]. Measurements in traffic have shown that pollution can in some cases be most concenrated within the cabins of cars, rather than outside them. Environmental groups advocate cycling as a means of reducing pollution.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Murphy MH 2006. The effect of a worksite based walking programme on cardiovascular risk in previously sedentary civil servants. BMC Public Health 2006 May 22;6:136 [1]
  2. ^ (German)http://www.aok-mitdemradzurarbeit.de/
  3. ^ Hillman 1993. Cycle helmets-the case for and against. Policy Studies Institute, London. ISBN 0853746028[2]
  4. ^ Hillman, M. (1997) Health Benefits of Cycling Greatly Outweigh Loss of Life Years from Deaths. Br Med J, 314, 70

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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