A new study released on Friday, coinciding with National Bike to Work Day, finds that bicyclists in the United States save at least $4.6 billion a year by riding instead of driving, reports Tanya Mohn.
With the dramatic rise in bicycling commuters over the past decade (40%) and the outsized percentage of household budgets spent on transportation (more than food or healthcare), the economic benefits of bicycling announced last week by the League of American Bicyclists, Sierra Club, and the National Council of La Raza are destined to raise a few eyebrows.
According to Mohn, "The average annual operating cost of a bicycle is $308, compared to $8,220 for the average car, and if American
drivers replaced just one four-mile car trip with a bike each week for
the entire year, it would save more than two billion gallons of gas, for
a total savings of $7.3 billion a year, based on $4 a gallon for gas."
"Making it easier and safer for people to walk or bicycle 'is a matter of fairness,' Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
wrote on his blog Fast Lane on Friday...LaHood noted that walking and bicycling are options people want,
citing a national poll released by Princeton Survey Research Associates International
in March that indicated that 'more than 80 percent of Americans support
maintaining or increasing federal funding for biking and walking.' 'The
benefits of bicycling are real, and there's no arguing with the
impressive ridership data,' LaHood said. 'Bicycling is an important part of the 21st century transportation mix.'"
FULL STORY: Pedaling to Prosperity: Biking Saves U.S. Riders Billions A Year
After Repealing Complete Streets, Wisconsin Falls to 29th Most Bike-Friendly State
Despite a rise in bicycling by residents, Wisconsin has dedicated disappointingly low amounts of funding and resources to bike infrastructure.
How 'Bicycle Friendly' is Gainesville?
Despite a recent designation from the League of American Bicyclists, one writer argues that the city's infrastructure is failing to protect pedestrians and cyclists from dangerous car traffic.
Book Review: Before 'Park' Became a Verb
With so much to learn just by reading a Wall Street Journal book review of "Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road" by James Longhurst, history professor at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, imagine what's to learn by reading the book.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service