Ride for Transportation

Bicycles are solely human-powered and use no fossil fuels. Bicycles currently displace over 238 million gallons of gasoline per year, by replacing car trips with bicycle trips.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) October 2000 Omnibus Household Survey, 41.3 million Americans (20.0%) used a bicycle for transportation in the 30 days measured in the survey. Bicycling is the second most preferred form of transportation after the automobile, ahead of public transportation. Over 9.2 million (22.3%) of the 41.3 million people who bicycled did so more than ten of the 30 days measured.

In 1995, Parkwood Research Associates conducted a survey for Rodale Press in which respondents were asked what their current primary means of travel was, and "all things being equal, and if good facilities for each existed, which of these means would you prefer the most"? The percentage of people bicycling and walking rose from 5 percent to 13 percent while the percentage of people driving alone fell from 76 percent to 56 percent. (Source: Pathways for People, Rodale Press)

The survey also asked participants who had ridden in the last year, "do you think you would sometimes commute to work by bicycle, or commute more often if:"

There were more safe bikes on roads and highways?
Yes, 39 percent

There were showers, lockers and secure bike storage at work? Yes, 36 percent

There were financial or other incentives from your employer? Yes, 36 percent

There were safe, separate designated bike paths?
Yes, 40 percent