Try Biking to Work this Month
If you lived relatively close to your workplace, would you bike to work? The truth is many people don’t. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, more than half of 1 percent of American workers use a bike as their primary transportation to getting from work. The good news is that’s a 40 percent growth since 2000. The bad news is that’s still a tiny number.
Here’s how our area stacks up:
– Of the 61,549 workers in Charleston, 3 percent (1,834) are bicycle commuters. In Mount Pleasant, 1.5 percent (533) of the 36,307 workers are riding bikes. In North Charleston, 0.4 percent (174) of the city’s 40,862 workers are bicycle commuters.
– May is National Bike Month, and biking organizations around the country are encouraging people to trade four wheels for two. Bike to School Day is May 9. Bike to Work Week is May 14-18 and Bike to Work Day is May 18.
Why bike to work or school? Here are the top three reasons from the League of American Bicyclists:
– It’s fun. Biking to work encourages camaraderie and is a way to get active in the community.
– It’s healthy. Active employees are more alert and productive.
– It’s green. Biking reduces your carbon footprint, traffic congestion and saves you money at the gas pump.
– But it’s too far, you say. According to the League of American Bicyclists:
– The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will become.
– Trips of less than 3 miles will be quicker by bike.
– Trips of 5-7 miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car.
And there you have it! Let us know if you’re going to try biking to work one day this month or if you’re already a regular cyclist commuter.