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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). Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Shortcut: WP:NPOVD Articles that have been linked to this page are the subject of an NPOV dispute (NPOV stands for Neutral Point Of View; see below). ... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Commuters on the New York City Subway during rush hour Rush hour at Shinjuku Station, Yamanote Line Traffic jam Commuting is the process of travelling between a place of residence and a place of work. ... Ugandan bicycle taxi or bodaboda Cargo-bicycle and Trike for rent Bremen. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

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. Bangkok Skytrain. ... A Brompton folding bicycle A folding bicycle or folder is a type of bicycle that incorporates a number of hinges or joints, which may be lockable, that permit it to be folded into a more compact size. ...

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 a commuter bike is more likely to be fitted with most or all of the following: rear rack, lights, fenders (also called mudguards), panniers, and a chain guard. Hub gears (or no gears at all) are also common. Bicycle lighting has two purposes: seeing and being seen. ...

Advantages of Bicycle Commuting

Better physical health

Better physical health, including reduced risk of heart disease, the number one cause of death in the US, 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 ^{[citation needed]}. Bicycle commuting can provide a practical method for meeting the recommended amount of daily exercise for people that work jobs that aren't physically demanding or labor-intensive.

Ringstraße, Vienna, Austria, 2005.

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 a person's health during a period of time that is often spent sitting in traffic. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1133 KB)Ringstraße, Vienna, Austria, June 2005. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1133 KB)Ringstraße, Vienna, Austria, June 2005. ... The Ringstraße at night The Ringstraße is a circular road surrounding the Innere Stadt district of Vienna, Austria and is one of its main sights. ... For other uses, see Vienna (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ...

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 all 16 states with 14,000 companies and 125,000 people participating.^[3] Health insurance is a type of insurance whereby the insurer pays the medical costs of the insured if the insured becomes sick due to covered causes, or due to accidents. ... Germany is a Federal Republic made up of 16 States, known in German as Länder (singular Land). ...

Measures that promote physical health, including aerobic exercise, have been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression [3]. Bicycle commuters in general enjoy greater productivity, and (particularly for the deskbound) a nice 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. One of the costs of vehicle ownership. ...

For an example see What do cars really cost?.

Other quality-of-life improvements

Biking causes far less adverse environmental impact than any other travel mode, possibly even including walking, when you consider how much more food you have to grow to power a pedestrian over a given distance relative to bicycle.

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

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.

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. A Brompton folding bicycle A folding bicycle or folder is a type of bicycle that incorporates a number of hinges or joints, which may be lockable, that permit it to be folded into a more compact size. ...

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.^[4][5] Risk per cyclist has been observed to be lowest where cycling is most common, and to reduce as numbers cycling increases.

Load carrying

The capacity for load storage on a bicycle is limited and less than for most motor vehicles. Messenger bags, bike racks, panniers, crates, bike modifications, and bike trailers can increase the bicycle's load capacity. 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. Messenger bag by Timbuk2. ... A bicycle rack is a device to which a bicycle can be securely attached to prevent theft. ... For the locomotive, see Pannier tank locomotive A pannier is a basket, bag, or similar container, possibly large, and carried either in pairs slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to a bicycle or motorcycle. ... Two-wheel truss-frame trailer Single-wheel trailer Two-wheel axle-less trailer Wooden bicycle trailer A bicycle trailer is a motorless wheeled frame with a hitch system designed for transporting cargo by bicycle. ...

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, take longer to steal, and less appealing to the would-be perpetrator. Some recommended security methods are:

• Use a high quality, non tubular key-based u-lock.
• Use multiple locking techniques - u-lock and a chain / cable with a padlock.
• Remove any quick-release components such as the front wheel and saddle.
  • Alternatives include securing the components with cables, or replacing the original quick release components with skewers or devices that require a tool.
• 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 in a covered area with no exposure to rain, water, excessive humidity, or wind.
• Tarnish the bicycle by removing decals and paint.
• Put tape or adhesive labels on the bike at various locations to make the bike appear less valuable.

A bicycle rack is a device to which a bicycle can be securely attached to prevent theft. ...

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.

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." A Brompton folding bicycle A folding bicycle or folder is a type of bicycle that incorporates a number of hinges or joints, which may be lockable, that permit it to be folded into a more compact size. ... Earl Blumenauer (born August 16, 1948) is a Democratic U.S. representative from Oregon, representing the 3rd congressional district. ...

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 concentrated within the cabins of cars, rather than outside them. Environmental groups advocate cycling as a means of reducing pollution.

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. ^ (German)http://www.adfc.de/2944_1
4. ^ Hillman 1993. Cycle helmets-the case for and against. Policy Studies Institute, London. ISBN 0-85374-602-8[2]
5. ^ Hillman, M. (1997) Health Benefits of Cycling Greatly Outweigh Loss of Life Years from Deaths. Br Med J, 314, 70

See also

• Utility bicycle
• Utility cycling
• Bicycle transportation engineering
• Segregated cycle facilities
• Icebiking
• Times-up!

a Dutch utility bicycle A utility bicycle is one which is designed for a practical purpose, as opposed to sport bicycles which are designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles and mountain bicycles. ... Ugandan bicycle taxi or bodaboda Cargo-bicycle and Trike for rent Bremen. ... Bicycle Transportation Engineering See Also John Forester, Bicycle Transportation Engineer Effective Cycling bike lane debate vehicular cycling wide outside lane Categories: Cycling stubs | Cycling ... Cycleway, Bicycle street and Pedestrian/Cyclist bridge in Nuremberg, Germany Segregated cycle facilities may consist of separate roads, tracks, paths or lanes designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... TIMES UP! is a grassroots environmental group that uses educational outreach and direct action to promote a more sustainable, less toxic New York City. ...

External links

• Cycleliciousness: Copenhagen Bike Culture Blog
• biketowork.com
• Commute By Bike
• BikeNow.org Information and resources about Urban Bicycling
• New York City Bicycle Commuting Info
• Bicycling Life section on practical cycling
• Velogreen.org bike commuting forum
• Bike Forums web forum, with commuting section
• Paul Dorn's commuting pages
• Ken Kifer's commuting pages
• London Cycling Campaign - not just for Londoners, the Guidance section includes good practical advice for all urban cyclists
• Biking to Work Manual from Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
• Canadian Commuter Challenge a seven day event during National Environment Week hosted by grass-roots organisations across the country
• - Times-up!
• BicycleTraveler - Collection of Bicycle Tour Travelogues and Information.