Americans leery of bicycles despite gas price jump

Green Lantern · #1 05-15-2008, 02:10 PM

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - It's U.S. National Bike to Work Day on Friday and Americans are facing record high gasoline prices, but most commuters will stick to their cars.
The combination of gas near $4 a gallon and the annual campaign to get people to pedal to work may prompt a few more people than usual to commute on two wheels.
But the majority won't consider the bicycle as a regular means of transport because they simply have too far to go and feel nervous about riding on traffic-choked streets, bicycling advocates and dedicated motorists say.
"It's never just a matter of picking up a few things you could carry on your bike," said Crystal Kelson, 33, a nurse and mother from North Philadelphia. "You need a car."
Kelson said there was no real alternative to her Dodge Charger -- which now costs her $65 a week in gasoline -- even for short trips to the supermarket.
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, the number of Americans who bike "frequently" -- 110 days a year or more -- fell almost 10 percent in 2007 to 3.7 million people.
Similarly, the number of people who ride bikes at least six times a year fell to 35.6 million in 2006, the lowest since the survey began in 1984, from 56.3 million in 1995.
Thomas Doyle, vice president of information and research at the association, said the decline was probably due to the aging population, reluctance by parents to allow children to ride bikes and more children using wheeled toys such as scooters and skateboards. READ MORE

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Do you bike to work?

Do you live close enough to bike to work?

If you don't, why not?

What would it take for you to bike to work?

Did you even know it was National Bike to Work Day tomorrow?

TattdMom · #2 05-15-2008, 02:14 PM

Do you bike to work?

Do you live close enough to bike to work?

If you don't, why not? I don't own a bicycle

What would it take for you to bike to work? see above

Did you even know it was National Bike to Work Day tomorrow?

On a serious note, yes I have considered biking to work. I live about 9 miles from work and most of the traveling would be on back roads. I've even considered buying a scooter but a bicycle would be cheaper.

Naomi · #3 05-15-2008, 02:19 PM

We have thought about taking the scooter to work it gets 85 mpg
But we afraid to ride it on 13

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witchofthedogs · #4 05-15-2008, 02:40 PM

I do not live close enough to work to ride my bike in to the office (though, I do have one and am getting it fitted out to be my commuter-mobile on the weekends).

If I did, I most certainly would in a heartbeat.

hockey · #5 05-15-2008, 02:45 PM

I walk a lot. I hate it so much when people/police stop and automatically assume that I need help or that I'm in some form of trouble. It makes me insane.

Like "NO, YOU F'ING PEOPLE; I'M WALKING, IS THAT A CRIME IN THIS COUNTRY?"

Kid Lester · #6 05-15-2008, 02:48 PM

Someone stole my bike and took it to the Alamo.

Panama Girl · #7 05-15-2008, 04:31 PM

Bike west down Rt 40? No way.

Bike on 896 southbound? Hell no.

19720 · #8 05-15-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomi

We have thought about taking the scooter to work it gets 85 mpg
But we afraid to ride it on 13

We??? on one scooter????

americans-leery-bicycles-despite-gas-price-untitled.jpg

BTW....Thats a pic of me...not you Na!!!!

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A Recent study Found the average American walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found, Americans drink on the average 22 gallons of beer a year.
That means the average American gets 41 miles to the gallon.
~
Kind of makes you proud to be an American.

Tracy · #9 05-15-2008, 07:22 PM

This is the reason why I don't bike....take the picture that Zip put up above....put cute curly hair on the guy and big boobs and then throw in two kids....not really gonna work!