Bike Commuting Saves Time, Money
Lifestyle Changes May Lead You to Bicycling
Bike Commuting Tips for Employers
Bike Commuting Saves Time, Money
By Dave Glowacz
For the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Copyright 2000 by Dave Glowacz
Want a product that will save you time and money, almost right away? Well, you probably already own it: a bicycle.
An automobile costs the average American $3,300 to $6,500 a year. Yet a bicycle costs only $20 to $300 a year to keep running.
And American workers spend more than eleven hours per week commuting - time they would like to use for other pursuits, such as exercise.
But can you really use a bicycle in place of your car? In a car, you do not have to worry about how you dress, about whether you will smell badly at your destination nor about theft.
Surprise! You don't have to worry about these things on a bicycle, either. I am going to let you in on a few secrets that will boost your enjoyment of this economical and time-saving activity.
In my book,
Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, I advocate bicycle commuting to and from work as a way to start cycling more. To facilitate your trip, separate the tasks. After all, when you drove a car, you didn't go immediately onto an expressway.
Starting with the essentials, I'll walk you through some various tasks.
How to carry stuff
Do not carry things by hand, instead, wear a backpack. Or, if you will carry stuff often, pay $30 to $40 for a rear carrying rack. With a rack and bungee cords, you can carry briefcases, computers . . . even side-mounted bike bags that will hold your whole wardrobe.
Planning a route
Next comes how to get from here to there. First, check the roads you already take by automobile: Do they have shoulders you can bike on, or outside lanes wide enough for a car and bike to share safely?
If not, ask people you know about roads they like for cycling. Don't know any bikers? Attend a meeting of a bike club in your area. Also check the roads suggested by the Wisconsin state bicycling map. Get it by calling (800) 362-4537.
After you plan a route, do not try it on a work day. Instead, try biking to your workplace on a quiet Saturday or Sunday morning. This way, you will not have to worry about traffic, finding your way, and getting to work on time, all at once. Remember, separate the challenges.
Looking like new
When I researched
Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, most bike commuters told me they do not shower at their destinations. Meaning they get fired? No. Bike commuters simply use a washroom at work to towel dry, then change into fresh clothes--which they carry in a backpack or bike bag. (Experienced travelers know how to avoid wrinkles in their clothes by rolling them.) If you perspire a lot, apply talc before cycling. Your coworkers will never guess how you got there.
You do not have to carry your clothes every time you bike to work. On days you don't, bring one, two or more sets of clothes in a garment bag. Also, keep a spare set of socks, underwear, and shoes at work, just in case you forget to bring them.
Time yourself
Once you have got all the details worked out, try a dry run. Bike to work with your work clothes, taking the route you chose. Lock up, go into your building, clean up and dress-- but do it on a weekend. Time it. Then, try it on a work day, but give yourself extra time.
What if coworkers kid you? Ask them two things. First, how much time did they spend exercising last week? And how much money did they spend on gas? Most likely you exercised more and spent nowhere near as much--because you "biked" to work.
Find more tips on biking in Glowacz™ popular book Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, available at book stores and bike shops, by calling (773) 292-0932, or by e-mail.
Also check out his
Web site
back to top
Lifestyle Changes May Lead You to Bicycling
By Peter Flucke
For the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Overweight, dealing with divorce, drinking too much, managing a heart condition. If life's challenges are leading you to consider a lifestyle change, then a change which includes bicycling may be just what you need. While there are no magic bullets, biking regularly has been shown to improve both your physical and emotional well-being, maybe better than anything else you can do.
The Physical You
It's no secret that bicycling is good for our health, but what most people don't know is just how badly they need to go for a ride.
In a recent press release, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher states, "The number of overweight children, adolescents, and adults has risen over the past four decades. Total costs (medical cost and lost productivity) attributed to obesity alone amounted to an estimated $99 billion in 1995. During 1994-98, 11 percent of children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years were overweight or obese. During the same years, 23 percent of adults aged 20 years and older were considered obese."
"Overweight and obesity substantially raise the risk of illness from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and problems breathing, and certain types of cancers. On average, higher body weights are associated with higher death rates."
These numbers paint a grim picture. But, not if you are a bicyclist.
A recent Danish study by Andersen LB, Schnohr P, Schroll M, Hein and HO says, "Those who used the bicycle as transportation to work experienced a lower mortality rate even after adjustment for leisure time physical activity, and sports participation discriminated mortality rates even among the more physically active subjects."
The Emotional You
Bicycling is not just good for your physical health, it is wonderful for your emotional health as well.
According to RealAge.com, "Happy Heart Workout", "Regular workouts not only will make your heart stronger, they may make your heart happier, too."
"Research shows that regular exercise reduces negative feelings. In a recent study, people who exercised at least two to three times per week experienced significantly less depression, anger, stress, and distrust in their lives than people who did not exercise."
The "RealAge benefit (of) taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger."
Why Not Just Join a Health Club?
BICYCLING is especially good and convenient. Nearly everyone owns a bike, lives on a road and travels. And, nearly everyone spends too much time traveling in their cars and looking to save time.
The bicycle is an appealing way to get quality, low-impact physical activity and save time by converting some of those auto trips to bike trips. Even if converting trips is not possible or desirable, a person can easily jump on their bike, it's sitting in the garage, and take it for a 30-minute spin. That's as much time as most people spend getting ready for an organized sport.
In addition to improving yourself physically and mentally, by bicycling you are helping those around you as well. Bicycling decreases traffic congestion, protects the environment, decreases dependence on foreign oil, saves money and builds strong communities.
Bicycling cannot cure all of the ills of the world but it will make you physically and mentally stronger to help you meet life's "little" challenges.
Keep on biking!
Peter Flucke is the President of WE BIKE, a bicycle consulting company located in Green Bay. He is also former Board Member of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
back to top
Bike Commuting Tips for Employers
by Robbie Webber
for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Would employers really want their employees to bike to work? Isn't this activity for students, the poor or those unfortunate folks who have lost their licenses? What good can come from this for the Wisconsin workplace? Lots! Consider a few:
- Fewer sick days, cheaper health claims. Biking to work provides employees with valuable exercise, which often leads to better health, and less sick time.
- Better work productivity. Employees who exercise have less stress, they can focus their minds better and they are more alert.
- Less congested and crowded parking lots. If everyone left their car home one day per month, employers would need five percent fewer parking spots. If everyone left the car at home one day per week, parking could be cut 20 percent.
- Being a good corporate citizen. In addition to these tangible benefits, a company that promotes biking to work is seen as a good community member concerned about the environment, land use, traffic congestion and the health and morale of those who work there.
Many resources are available to encourage bike commuting. Communities throughout the United States have set up programs to alleviate traffic congestion, parking and air quality problems.
Since bike commuting is often a component of these programs, many helpful tips can be found by searching on the Web or in the library for what is already being done.
Closer to home a ready-made handbook called "Parking for Free: A Bicycle Commute Program Guide for Madison Area Employers" can help with the specifics of employer-sponsored bike commuting. The booklet is divided into three sections with information for companies and workers.
The first part of the guide lays out why bike commuting is a good idea for both workers and employers and goes on to explain how to implement a program. An appendix follows with resources for employers such as case studies, Web sites, books, bike parking manufacturers and bicycle safety instructors.
A section at the end can to be copied and given to employees. It includes commuting tips and techniques, safety information, a "getting started" check list and how to overcome the most common barriers to bike commuting. The whole publication can be downloaded off the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin's (BFW) Web site or a copy can be purchased in notebook form for $25. Simple and inexpensive changes can be made to encourage bicycle commuting: Make bicycle parking visible.
Don't hide bikes back by the dumpster! Treat bicyclists to front door preferred spots.
Many companies give gift certificates or health points for biking or walking to work. These are often paid for by the company health plan since exercise will reduce costs in the long run.
Also, making a workplace truly attractive to dedicated bike commuters often means having a place to change or clean up. Although bike commuting often doesn't result in sweaty bodies and clothes it's nice to know a shower is at the end of a ride during the summer!
Some workers would like to bike to work, but don't know how to get around safely. Helping bicyclists find safe routes to the workplace and setting up a "buddy" program â€" sort of a carpool for bikers â€" can make first time commuters feel more comfortable.
Lunch time or after work talks or classes covering bicycle commuting topics such as clothing, traffic, routes, weather and maintenance can promote biking and allow employees to overcome their reluctance.
Also, use employees who already bike to work as role models. Bicyclists love to share their knowledge and get others to pedal.
Finally, don't forget that an event like "Bike to Work Day" can create an incentive for everyone to try bike commuting today, not "someday." More help on implementing a bicycle commute program for employers is available on the BFW Web page.
Robbie Webber is a former program manager for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and a current Madison City Alder
back to top
