According to a video currently posted in A&S, the number of trips by bicycle has increased by a factor of 2 and one-half over the past decade. Perhaps not coincidentally, the price of gasoline has increased by a similar factor. I think the increase in cycling is largely, but not exclusively, driven by cohort change: Young people are less inclined to become dependent on what they perceive as a fading technology (cars) and are choosing to drive less or not at all (which is good considering their dependence on cell phones and texting).

Like others here, I have noticed an increase in the number of people riding bikes since the start of the Lesser Depression. Four years ago I could stroll along the riverfront bike paths near my home and see more cars on them than bikes most days; that is a rare occurrence now. I have also noticed that the folks who live in the suburbs aren't making as many trips back and forth between town and home. Whether this is driven by our economic situation, fuel prices, environmental concerns, politics, something else or some combination is unknown to me, I just enjoy the decreased risk of riding.

I sure hope the trends I think I am seeing are real and continue to grow. I doubt if this is "The Year" that hordes of folks take to bikes, but I wouldn't mind if it turned out to be.