Commuting - Is Bike Commuting getting more popular??

I've been on this forum for a coupla years now, and find it just amazing how busy the commuting forum is nowadays. What was a week's worth of posts a year or so ago is covered in a day now. I find it difficult to stay ahead of things!
I've also noticed more and better equipped bike commuters around the city. Is it just expensive gas or are people getting smarter???

Is it just expensive gas or are people getting smarter???
Both (I hope)

10,000 bike commuters in a city of 8,000,000 is 1/8th of a percent.
5 or 6 people a week in a county of several hundred million is small but every little bit brings a little closer.

they recently did a segment on the news here (Amarillo, Texas) interviewing people that had bought or were planning to buy a bike because of the rising gas prices...

I didn't get interviewed, but I'm in the "had bought" category...

there were around 20 people (just showed a tiny bit of a response for each)

I think the rising gas prices are creating more bicycle commuters. I know that gas is not the most expensive part of owing a car, but its the one that we notice the most when it goes up. Also, I bet the recent bic pen lock coverage helped a lot of people discover these forums.

10,000 bike commuters in a city of 8,000,000 is 1/8th of a percent.

I was featured in the newspaper last year as a representative of bike commutters in our region and in the article, it said I was one of 34,000 bike commutters in the region.

I thought that ws a very large number of cyclists, but then I noticed that was based on a 2% rate of bike commutters (our region has a 4% rate and the provincial average is 2%) so there are 68,000 of us.

I think thats a pretty big number. I also think, the worse traffic and bottlenecks get, the more cyclists will go to work on their bikes.

There's folks riding helmetless, often with aluminum cans in baskets on their bikes and then there's me riding to work around town here. Six miles away in Auburn there's loads of young people riding bikes to class.

No change in over five years that I can see.

The forums have gotten a few loudmouths lately too. Sorry about that. LOL

Seriously, I can't really say if there are more commuters around, but I'm trying to do my part to recruit coworkers (both to commuting by cycle and to bike forums.)

I dunno. Has gas become more expensive lately? I hadn't noticed... probably because I ride my bike to work everyday.

I also think it is partly due to rising gas prices. I won't be bold enough to tell what we pay in MO (It will just angry those of you on east and west coasts!) The tough part for me is that we have quite a few people here at my work that WANT to ride to work but there isn't any place to park their bikes! The company hasn't embraced the idea about bike racks yet. I just keep plugging away at it. :D

I don't see more ppl doing the bike commuting in my area. I'm still a lonely commuter @ work, and most ppl here are joe motorheads who think I'm crazy to STILL be biking @ 3C.

Perhaps if I was downtown I would notice it more.

I was shown the light! :)

I've been on this forum for a coupla years now, and find it just amazing how busy the commuting forum is nowadays. What was a week's worth of posts a year or so ago is covered in a day now. I find it difficult to stay ahead of things!
I've also noticed more and better equipped bike commuters around the city. Is it just expensive gas or are people getting smarter???

Both are controling factors for a growth in bike commuting.
However, the bike makers will be/are caught flat footed by the
sudden rise in gas prices as to making enough 'commuting' bikes.

The reason for the lack of bike commuting are detailed in these
threads...........

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=70984

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=70160

It should be noted that until the causes of excessive use of
cars for simple utility use stops and is replaced by MORE use
of bicycles for simple urban utility,as they are in the rest
of the world,the car and it's excessive expense and pollution
will continue.

I notice no increase in bike commuting here in Texas. Car use is driven (pardon the pun) by cultural and emotional factors I think, not by gas price.

I haven't seen any meteoric rise of bike commuters in the short term but I have seen an increase of the immigrant workforce in my area and a lot of them can't afford cars, so I have seen a larger bike commuter demographics in the long run from say 20 years ago.

I say hello and good morning to all of them that I see when I'm on my bike.

Jay

Jay H, funny that you shoud mention that ("I say hello and good morning to all of them that I see when I'm on my bike.") I do the same. I go through some rougher neighborhoods and always speek to the other brave souls out at 5:30am. I figure if they see me enough, I may have an ally if I need. And of course, they will have one in me as well. :)

I pass one or two guys pretty regularly, and we are now in the habit of waving and saying hi to each other, which I think is good. It's odd because normally when I'm out just riding around, not commuting, I have a helmet rule where I don't wave to anybody not wearing a helmet. But when I'm commuting and see these folks on their department store bikes, I can't help but smile and wave and say "morning". Like you, I am on the roads by 6;15am and pass these guys. I have my helmet, clipless pedals, 32W of lights, 2 red blinkies, etc. etc. on my $1000 mtb and these guys are on the department store special but there is a kindred spirit that I respect. I don't have to bike to work, I have a very nice job, a very nice car, but I choose to bike because I enjoy it more, I bike in rain, winter, snow. I respect that when I don't feel like biking, I don't have to. Some of these folks don't have that choice and I respect that.

And of course, the ally helps too. I pass the homeless as well and will say hello if they happen to be on the same trail. In fact, I've been considering paying them to sweep garbage and glass off the trail for a few bucks...

Jay

I'm planning to start at least a partial commute soon for a few reasons.

First, I now take public transit, which consists of me walking to a bus stop, waiting for the bus, then taking the bus to a light-rail train station. That takes about 20 minutes, when I can actually ride to the train station in 10-15. The train accomodates bikes, so I can then ride in to work. My one-way total commute is about an hour. I would then ride all the way home at the end of the day, which is about 12 miles. This way I can avoid the "smelly cyclist guy at work" thing and will only need to worry about being the "smelly cyclist guy at home."

Second, I've renewed my passion for cycling (which I last had as an 8th grader putting around to my friends' houses - I'm about to turn 36).

Third, in relation to my age mentioned above, I'm in crappy shape (not overweight, just really soft) but don't have much time to exercise. I can't think of a better way to exercise without taking additional time out of my day.

I can't think of a better way to exercise without taking additional time out of my day.

This is the main reason I started riding to work. Originally, it was because I was training for a triathlon and I found that it was a lot simpler to do my riding directly from work rather than get on the bus, go home, change, etc., first. And now that my work and family life have gotten busier, it's about the only exercise I get.

I realize that there are folks who start bike commuting because it saves on gas and parking expenses, but for me, that's just gravy.

I haven't really noticed any change either. As far as the "gas prices" thing goes, have they really changed all that much? Admittedly, not owning a car means I don't have to pay any attention to them, but I read somewhere recently that prices in this country are still below 2000 levels. Hardly an increase, nevermind enough to drive people from their cars.

Having said that, I have noticed a slight increase this week with half of Surfers Paradise being closed off, and the resultant increase in traffic. Interestingly though, traffic levels here right now are still below what they normally swell to during school holidays, and I don't see any marked increase in bicycle commuters at those times. Can someone please explain to me how that works?

I'm planning to start at least a partial commute soon for a few reasons.

First, I now take public transit, which consists of me walking to a bus stop, waiting for the bus, then taking the bus to a light-rail train station. That takes about 20 minutes, when I can actually ride to the train station in 10-15. The train accomodates bikes, so I can then ride in to work. My one-way total commute is about an hour. I would then ride all the way home at the end of the day, which is about 12 miles. This way I can avoid the "smelly cyclist guy at work" thing and will only need to worry about being the "smelly cyclist guy at home."

Second, I've renewed my passion for cycling (which I last had as an 8th grader putting around to my friends' houses - I'm about to turn 36).

Third, in relation to my age mentioned above, I'm in crappy shape (not overweight, just really soft) but don't have much time to exercise. I can't think of a better way to exercise without taking additional time out of my day.

I also forgot to mention that I'd rather smell the exhaust from behind a bus than I would the smell of some of the crazies I now sit next to on the bus! Holy Shnikees! :(

...but don't have much time to exercise. I can't think of a better way to exercise without taking additional time out of my day.

Yeah, I commute about 45 minutes each way which would be about 30 minutes by car. Even including an extra shower, I like to say I get a 90 minute workout for the time of 45. (Car time: 60 minutes. Riding time: 90 minutes. Extra shower: 15 minutes. So 90+15-60=45.)

If you search around, you'll find a bunch of hints for quick sponge offs in the bathroom that keep you from being stinky. If it's taking you 60 minutes to get 12 miles by mass transit, could actually save time on your bicycle. Just a thought.

There is Definately an increase in bicycle commuting here in Dayton, slowly but surely. I think in part because of bike paths, bike racks on city busses, awareness of the enviroment and sprawl, more people living downtown, etc. There was always some sort or interest, or at least awareness, in cycling here in Dayton because of the Wright Bros., and the headquarters of Huffy (ugh!)

Here in the Washington, DC, area, I think there is definitely an increase. Six years ago, I might see one or two on my way to work. Now, it is unusual to see fewer than six. Of course, the real mystery is why anyone still commutes by car around here, given the traffic and shortage of parking.

Paul

At the park and ride that I pass by every day, and occasionally use, I have noticed that there are two more bikes locked up to the rack almost daily. Mine used to be the only lonely bike there, so it is pretty cool to see more folks peddling in to meet their carpool.

If local government provides facilities and information, more people will cycle. In London, cycle journeys are up over 20% in the last year (still only 2% of total). I suspect this is partly down to the Congestion Charge of £5* to drive in central London at peak hours; but the availabilty of cycle-specific routes, maps, and other information is also important.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/streets/cycling/cycling-intro.shtml
http://www.lcc.org.uk

*About $9 USD at current exchange rate.

Despite all of the advances of our local advocacy groups in infrustucture and educational improvements over the last few years, I found this @

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/pow/ftorbike.cfm

"there was a marginal increase in the proportion of employed workers (in Canada) who
bicycled to work, 1.2% in 2001, up from 1.1% in 1996...

British Columbia and the Yukon had the highest proportions of workers
cycling to work in 2001, each with about 2%...

In Victoria, 4.8% pedalled to work, about the same as in 1996.

Here in Windsor I have seen a lot more people riding. Don't know if it is because they want to or if they have to.

there was a marginal increase in the proportion of employed workers (in Canada) who
bicycled to work, 1.2% in 2001, up from 1.1% in 1996...

I can believe it. Most people in the US and Canada live far from work, in suburban-type situations. In these areas, cars are generally the fastest way to get to work. Not usually the best way, in my opinion, but still the fastest.

The tough part for me is that we have quite a few people here at my work that WANT to ride to work but there isn't any place to park their bikes! The company hasn't embraced the idea about bike racks yet. I just keep plugging away at it.

I'm a little bit shocked when I hear that people use lack of bike racks as a reason not to bike somewhere. I lock my bike to trees, telephone poles, to the little signs they put to designate a space as handicapped parking, or to any of a thousand other objects that are attached to the ground and at least as tall as my bicycle. I know that upright non-car objects can't be found absolutely everywhere, but I've yet to notice a workplace without some object that can be used in place of a bike rack.



Car use is driven by cultural and emotional factors I think, not by gas price.

yes, but cultural and emotional factors are being affected by... well, maybe not gas prices so much as -media coverage- of gas prices.

I've only been commuting a couple weeks, so I guess I might be one of the new converts - I started b/c it seemed like a fun new challenge. And it is! I love the exercise benefit, and the time to decompress at the end of a long day at work... Austin seems like a pretty decent city to commute in too... at least from this newbie's perspective.

The three years iv been riding on the road iv noticed a lot more cyclist on the move, good weather and a few new cycle paths helps.Itll be intresting to see if the price of fuel increases the cyclist on the move.Also the hybrid bike has made a big differance.An interesting toppic and looking foward to the feed back world wide.

I haven't really noticed any change either. As far as the "gas prices" thing goes, have they really changed all that much? Admittedly, not owning a car means I don't have to pay any attention to them, but I read somewhere recently that prices in this country are still below 2000 levels. Hardly an increase, nevermind enough to drive people from their cars.

Having said that, I have noticed a slight increase this week with half of Surfers Paradise being closed off, and the resultant increase in traffic. Interestingly though, traffic levels here right now are still below what they normally swell to during school holidays, and I don't see any marked increase in bicycle commuters at those times. Can someone please explain to me how that works?G'day Chis you may think your self lucky with less tourist, less stress commuting and leaving you in peace. Some would love to see another gold coast here :mad: just to make money and stuff the rest.Summers comming on and a few people will be travelling south to cooller climates. Fuels only $114.5a litre [Care factor, as i don't own a car, though the price of food goes up to pay for transport of goods and we have to wear that]the other thing iv noticed is children with out helmts is increasing{another story].With longer distances to cover in Australia to go on holidays fuel would be a factor.

If it's taking you 60 minutes to get 12 miles by mass transit, could actually save time on your bicycle. Just a thought.

I bike because I feel wasteful and dirty if I don't. Oh, and it's fun and healthful too. But sitting and waitng for a bus? Man, that's not as bad as sitting in trafic not going anywhere, but I'd be thinking every 5 minutes while waiting, "I coulda been a mile closer, if I was on my bike."

I've only been commuting a couple weeks, so I guess I might be one of the new converts - I started b/c it seemed like a fun new challenge. And it is! I love the exercise benefit, and the time to decompress at the end of a long day at work... Austin seems like a pretty decent city to commute in too... at least from this newbie's perspective.

I've been biking to school or work for years, I just thought of it as getting there, not really commuting. I found this forum and now I've really gotten into it. It's easily the best part of my day. I used to think that 15miles was a very, very long distance to bike. Just yesterday I rode 10miles to get home.

I was in austin last month, and the whole time I was there I was thinking the opposite! I mean, I know that there are a lot of cyclists there, but I didn't see very many bike lanes, and I saw a whole lot of narrow roads with lots of traffic. Maybe there's a lot of side streets that we didn't drive on or something.

anyway, congrats on upgrading your mode of transportation!

I was in austin last month, and the whole time I was there I was thinking the opposite! I mean, I know that there are a lot of cyclists there, but I didn't see very many bike lanes, and I saw a whole lot of narrow roads with lots of traffic. Maybe there's a lot of side streets that we didn't drive on or something.

anyway, congrats on upgrading your mode of transportation!

I'm not sure about downtown, I don't commute down there, but from UT campus to north central (where I live) there are multiple routes down... The bike map http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/bicycle/bikemap.htm helps me a lot. Then again, I haven't really tried commuting in another city, so don't _really_ know how Austin stacks up. :)

I'm a little bit shocked when I hear that people use lack of bike racks as a reason not to bike somewhere. I lock my bike to trees, telephone poles, to the little signs they put to designate a space as handicapped parking, or to any of a thousand other objects that are attached to the ground and at least as tall as my bicycle.
.

I don't want a bicycle rack. Bicycles on racks get vandalized or stolen. I will never use a bike rack again and prefer to hide the bike far away from the racks. Why do you think most bike racks are empty? It's because those who did use them either had the bikes robbed or trashed. If you do see a bike rack with plenty of cycles, it's because most of them will either be rusted junkers, vandalized bikes or bikes looking to get stolen.

I'm planning to start at least a partial commute soon for a few reasons.

First, I now take public transit, which consists of me walking to a bus stop, waiting for the bus, then taking the bus to a light-rail train station. That takes about 20 minutes, when I can actually ride to the train station in 10-15. The train accomodates bikes, so I can then ride in to work. My one-way total commute is about an hour. I would then ride all the way home at the end of the day, which is about 12 miles. This way I can avoid the "smelly cyclist guy at work" thing and will only need to worry about being the "smelly cyclist guy at home."


I suspect your about 2 miles away from the light rail station. My commute is very similar to yours in that I used to bike to the light rail station about 1.5 miles away. I would NEVER even think about taking the bus because I could walk to the station in about the same time it took waiting and riding!

The light rail was extended only 11 blocks from my home so I can now walk but I still ride anyway. It's only about 5 minutes and I lock the bike at the station. I could bike all the way to the subway station but the traffic is horrific and I like the comfort of the lightrail. If I had to take a bus all the way to the subway, no question, I would bike all the way to the station. Lightrail is much different. It's unfortunate that most cities do not have this system of mass transit. Lightrail is so good, it's the only thing that keeps me off the bike!

I haven't really tried commuting in another city, so don't _really_ know how Austin stacks up. :)

I'm in the same boat, I've really only commuted in 2 cities and one of those was a while ago when I didn't know what was good or bad or safe or unsafe. Now I

I really like Austin though, seems like a nice place to live. At least homes seem affordable!

I don't want a bicycle rack. Bicycles on racks get vandalized or stolen. I will never use a bike rack again and prefer to hide the bike far away from the racks. Why do you think most bike racks are empty? It's because those who did use them either had the bikes robbed or trashed. If you do see a bike rack with plenty of cycles, it's because most of them will either be rusted junkers, vandalized bikes or bikes looking to get stolen.


You should see the bike rack at my workplace, when its full we've got well over $10k in bikes locked to the single rack. Not too many rusted bikes on this rack, :) especially considering there are 3 Litespeed TI bikes plus an Aluminum Felt, Raleigh and Vitus and one Trek 2100 CF. Luckily the rack is under the watchful eyes of the security guards.

I'm not sure I'm a commuter. But I have started riding alot more. Sometimes to work (less than a mile from home) and sometimes on errands (anywhere within a 10-12 mile radius is an easy candidate depending on time) and sometimes for exercise or a refreshing diversion. There is no question that the local hype about biking more has been encouraging. You always see other bikes in some capacity or another. There are "share the road" signs on buses, bike lanes and paths -- the city is really making an effort which is encouraging. I also work with someone who is a real cycling advocate. All these things add up to get me to ride more. Did I mention I just plain like it?!?!

You should see the bike rack at my workplace, when its full we've got well over $10k in bikes locked to the single rack. Not too many rusted bikes on this rack, :) especially considering there are 3 Litespeed TI bikes plus an Aluminum Felt, Raleigh and Vitus and one Trek 2100 CF. Luckily the rack is under the watchful eyes of the security guards.

Must be some honest guards u guys got there. ;)

Must be some honest guards u guys got there. ;)

Most the guards wouldn't know the difference between a Wally World bike and Seven. ;)

There seems to be in Exeter, UK. We've got very high fuel prices and some pretty dreadful urban congestion, and I think people have just realised that 45 minutes to travel two miles is daft.

I would love to commute to work on my bike.but I am to lazy to ride the 14 miles (uphill going to)everyday.right now it takes me about 1.5 hours to ride that far.in the summer 110 degrees is not uncommon here.I just couldn't do that.
my hart is there but the body is not.not yet.I keep threatening the guys at work that I am going to do it.(I am the youngest of the bunch)
I guess I am only a fairweather rider.I do like to ride in the rain though.no wind just the rain.
I have spent my life around cars ( I sell car parts for a living)I have always loved cars.but I am rediscovering the bike.and I like it.