Commuting - Perhaps the ranks of commuters will grow in the wake of Sandy

See here (http://velojoy.com/2012/11/02/biking-nyc-after-hurricane-sandy/). Scroll to the bottom: Becoming a Bicycle Commuter

Nice link. thank you!

As a NYC bike commuter I can say that it certainly did spike up after the storm. Immediately after there was no subway from Brooklyn and there were about 10 times as many riders on the Manhattan bridge as normal. (And since the bridge has a climb you could easily tell the NOOBs from the experienced riders :) ) The avenues were a steady stream of cyclists downtown, a good thing as there were no traffic lights and it forced all cross traffic to fully stop. Imagine Manhattan with more bikes than cars. That's what it looked like, downtown at least.

During the next week the bike traffic leveled off but was still much higher than before. I've been counting riders on the bridge when I'm on the train for a few years now and usually 20-30 riders on the trip across is what I'd see, but last week it was more like 40-60, so basically double. Once the numbers get high I lose track too so maybe more. Transportation Alternatives is also keeping track and I'd be interested to see their numbers.

The only thing that'll stop that momentum will be this: "Winter is Coming" (I've turned into a Game of Thrones geek, and I've never before been into fantasy books or movies.)

We had a similar phenomenon happen in Ottawa. Back in December '08 we had a transit strike that lasted all winter. There was an instant noticeable increase in the number of winter bike commuters. The 2 LBS I frequent regularly have both told me that since that strike, they keep selling out of studded tires.

We had a similar phenomenon happen in Ottawa. Back in December '08 we had a transit strike that lasted all winter. There was an instant noticeable increase in the number of winter bike commuters. The 2 LBS I frequent regularly have both told me that since that strike, they keep selling out of studded tires.

I just want to give a nod to the city of Ottawa as a place I would gladly return to visit. I rode through there this summer crossing the Rideau Canal on the Corkstown Bridge with its numerous padlocks (the first time I'd seen "love locks" anywhere) and then following the canal path to an eventual the crossing of the Ottawa river over the Alexandra Bridge from whence I continued my way north. Lovely city. Good vibes.

Every time I've seen the news talking about NY hurricane aftermath I see someone on a bike in the background. So I do think is a choice for some people that were left with nothing.

Today here, were I live there was a problem with a pipe the closed down all the streets from around the neighbor cars can't come in and park and people get to their home. I was so happy I was riding my bike and came home early after work safe and sound and people still can't come home.

My point is, it would be awesome that people commute more and they will feel better.

I just want to give a nod to the city of Ottawa as a place I would gladly return to visit. I rode through there this summer crossing the Rideau Canal on the Corkstown Bridge with its numerous padlocks (the first time I'd seen "love locks" anywhere) and then following the canal path to an eventual the crossing of the Ottawa river over the Alexandra Bridge from whence I continued my way north. Lovely city. Good vibes.

The Ottawa-Gatineau area does have great cycling for tourists and recreational riders. And lately the cycling infrastructure for commuters has been improving. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

If that's what it takes for people to ride a bicycle. :rolleyes: I want to roll my eyes so hard, they'd just fall out of my sockets.

With gas difficult to get here on Long Island, I was really grateful to be a bike commuter. However, with the setback of the clocks right in the middle of the chaos, it has gotten too dark at 5pm to navigate around all the fallen limbs and electrical wires that still haven't been cleared. Sorry to admit it, but I'm back in my car.