A Falloff in Bike Commuting? - USA Today
#26
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But your profile says Beaverton, OR? Just kidding... sort of.
Anyway, from my personal observations, the Uber and "ride sharing" thing must be a huge factor. In the city they are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. They almost seem to outnumber the yellow cabs in Manhattan, and definitely do so in the outer boroughs. But any way you slice it, people are still using cars as their preferred means of transport. And there are no free lunches: that electricity has to be generated somehow...
I recently visited the bike storage area for my GF's building, which is shared by the other buildings on her block (all owned by the same scummy development company). It was astonished at the number of bikes in there. It was simply incredible (I'll try to take some pics next time), and I'd estimate that only 15% at the most had been ridden in the past 4 months. Also, they were mostly junk, and while I get that most people wouldn't keep their "good" bikes in there (I never would), it was still really interesting.
Anyway, from my personal observations, the Uber and "ride sharing" thing must be a huge factor. In the city they are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. They almost seem to outnumber the yellow cabs in Manhattan, and definitely do so in the outer boroughs. But any way you slice it, people are still using cars as their preferred means of transport. And there are no free lunches: that electricity has to be generated somehow...
I recently visited the bike storage area for my GF's building, which is shared by the other buildings on her block (all owned by the same scummy development company). It was astonished at the number of bikes in there. It was simply incredible (I'll try to take some pics next time), and I'd estimate that only 15% at the most had been ridden in the past 4 months. Also, they were mostly junk, and while I get that most people wouldn't keep their "good" bikes in there (I never would), it was still really interesting.
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True. But there is an incredible amount of pressure from parents, peers, teachers, and coaches to play team sports or participate in organized "Olympic" sports. You never see that kind of pressure on kinds in the USA to ride bikes for anything but utility cycling to and from "real" sports. Without the population base to draw from, and the focus on every sport except cycling for the most part, what would we expect? Less adult cyclists using commuting infrastructure is my guess.
Ever suggest your kids ride bikes AS a sport, instead of TO their sport? There are only so many hours in a day for kids to fit in recreation. Bicycling is not a priority for most households. Therefore...less cyclists.
Also, keeping kids attached to smart phones costs money. Internet connections cost money. Cable TV to watch sports costs money. Playing sports cost money. How many parents purchase a really nice bike for their growing kids? How many parents purchase phones and service for the kids? Only so much money to go around too.
Ever suggest your kids ride bikes AS a sport, instead of TO their sport? There are only so many hours in a day for kids to fit in recreation. Bicycling is not a priority for most households. Therefore...less cyclists.
Also, keeping kids attached to smart phones costs money. Internet connections cost money. Cable TV to watch sports costs money. Playing sports cost money. How many parents purchase a really nice bike for their growing kids? How many parents purchase phones and service for the kids? Only so much money to go around too.
He was invited to a USAC talent ID camp last summer but had a previous soccer commitment. I've been spending the last couple of seasons trying to get him to spend more time on the bike. If he wants to, he's likely to go much farther in his athletic career as a cyclist, but he's so soccer crazy that he'd rather do that than go on long rides with his dad. I actually had to say No to an indoor league he wanted to play in because I don't want him to be a single sport athlete.
He's certainly not getting pressure from me to play team sports. Driving all over NorCal to his soccer games totally cuts into my riding time!
Last edited by caloso; 01-03-19 at 07:10 PM.
#28
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Hey, I've been out here over 20 years and my family in Maryland still talk as if I live in Seattle. It's all relative. The key point of Beaverton being in the Portland metropolitan area is that we get their transit system and some of the ideas about bike infrastructure funding. Or are you suggesting Portland isn't a real city?
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Hey, I've been out here over 20 years and my family in Maryland still talk as if I live in Seattle. It's all relative. The key point of Beaverton being in the Portland metropolitan area is that we get their transit system and some of the ideas about bike infrastructure funding. Or are you suggesting Portland isn't a real city?
Getting back on topic, could the fall off in West Coast biking indicate that it was something of a fad? Maybe the coolness and newness has worn off for some of the "riders" there? I've also noticed a lot more clowns lately on electric scooters (the kick-scooter style) and electric skateboards, always doing dumb s--t on the bike paths, of course.
#30
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That is awesome! Congrats!
And there you go. For me in high school, it was baseball. I cycled to school and back. That was about all.
Personal preference and peer pressure. It's cool to be a sports star, just not cycling in the USA, and you generally don't cycle inside a football stadium where all of your friends and family can watch the entire event. In the neighborhood I grew up in during the mid 1960s and 1970s, every kid played outside and if you didn't have a bicycle, a pair of skates, and a skateboard, you were a loser. Only two houses on the block of 50 houses did not have children, others had up to a dozen kids. We all rode bikes every day, everywhere. And we were legion as baby boomers. My age group was exposed to the cycling boom of the 70s, and now those of us who it stuck with are aging out or retiring and not commuting anymore.
Two for one!
When I was growing up in that baby boomer neighborhood I mentioned, very few parents were active in their kids sports. There were no soccer moms of dads, because there was no soccer. At least not main stream. My high school soccer team was near 100% Latin Americans. My baseball team was 100% white kids. I was one of two kids who biked to school. Times, they are a changing.
He was invited to a USAC talent ID camp last summer but had a previous soccer commitment.
He's certainly not getting pressure from me to play team sports.
Driving all over NorCal to his soccer games totally cuts into my riding time!
When I was growing up in that baby boomer neighborhood I mentioned, very few parents were active in their kids sports. There were no soccer moms of dads, because there was no soccer. At least not main stream. My high school soccer team was near 100% Latin Americans. My baseball team was 100% white kids. I was one of two kids who biked to school. Times, they are a changing.
#31
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I don't know about nationally, but around here it seems that more people are commuting. I went to the doctor last week and as I was locking up my bike, five or six more cyclists arrived at the bike racks. By the time I left, all the bike parking was full and it is winter.
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I recently visited the bike storage area for my GF's building, which is shared by the other buildings on her block (all owned by the same scummy development company). It was astonished at the number of bikes in there. It was simply incredible (I'll try to take some pics next time), and I'd estimate that only 15% at the most had been ridden in the past 4 months. Also, they were mostly junk, and while I get that most people wouldn't keep their "good" bikes in there (I never would), it was still really interesting.
#33
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Vancouver BC experience provides hope
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/as-seattle-struggles-with-bike-lanes-vancouver-b-c-has-won-the-battle/
City near the US where bicycle commuting is now over 10% and community commitment to cycling infrastructure remains strong.
City near the US where bicycle commuting is now over 10% and community commitment to cycling infrastructure remains strong.
#35
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Wow, rather gloomy outlooks on commuting in some posts in this thread. Guess those folks don't live in Denver.
Today I rode my bike to the bus (I do an intermodal bike/bus commute to work when the weather is cold) and met a guy who normally rides, but was taking bus only due to ice. I was using my bike with studs. Anyway, in warmer weather this guy rides five days a week 36 miles one way. Yes. 360 miles a week. You read that right. I was stoked to hear that.
Today I rode my bike to the bus (I do an intermodal bike/bus commute to work when the weather is cold) and met a guy who normally rides, but was taking bus only due to ice. I was using my bike with studs. Anyway, in warmer weather this guy rides five days a week 36 miles one way. Yes. 360 miles a week. You read that right. I was stoked to hear that.
#36
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I question the data collection.
Like others, my personal observation has been only increases.
Bike share programs, additional lanes, parking, better lights, more choices in bikes, helmets, clothing. It's almost inconceivable to me that all this is happening in a decline.
Only way it could make sense to me would be if riders were retiring or aging out and not being replaced. Again, that's not what I'm seeing.
Like others, my personal observation has been only increases.
Bike share programs, additional lanes, parking, better lights, more choices in bikes, helmets, clothing. It's almost inconceivable to me that all this is happening in a decline.
Only way it could make sense to me would be if riders were retiring or aging out and not being replaced. Again, that's not what I'm seeing.
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Boston area cycle commuting is increasing steadily, many more winter-ready bikes on the streets this year.
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#38
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I drive a Semi in Chicago 5 days a week. I have noticed a big decline. Seems like half the amount of bikes parked at train stations and the commitment is way down this winter even though the weather has been pretty good. The city is improving bike lanes and trying to make things more bike friendly. I think UBER is to blame.
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#39
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"The report added that the “bicycle industry faces a present danger with fewer children and young people owning a bicycle and cycling today than a decade ago.” (To arrest this decline the Bicycle Association has long championed promoting cycling to children.)"
Bike shops are going out of business right and left. They have been for 20 years. You can easily find data on this.
“Sell your shop now, or enter the demise of all brick and mortars,” says Mike Romanco, CEO at Mike’s E-Bikes, in response to Trek’s online sales program. “You’d be better off working out of your home and just having a delivery van.”Which, funny enough, is exactly what’s happening. From the swell of increased online sales and sidelined brands, the mobile mechanic has emerged, riding the wave of change in a tool-filled Sprinter.
So why are bike shops going out of business? Internet sales is part of it, but just look at the buying process for a first-time bike buyer now, or in the future when there are even fewer brick and mortar stores out there. Who is going to assemble it and keep it running for the average cyclist who can't even fix a flat or keep their tires inflated? How are they even going to CHOOSE a bike from a computer screen the first time?
Fewer bike shops = fewer newbies = fewer bike shops. Vicious circle.
And now the mega stores that spread all the banana peels under the Mom and Pop stores are beginning to crumble under the pressure of online sales AND fewer young people interested in bicycles.
Yeah, I wonder why that study came to the conclusion that fewer people are cycling to work? Well...they looked.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 01-06-19 at 10:56 AM.
#40
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There was probably some political cost to the bike lanes as Mayor Robertson did not even run in the last election.
A lot of people live in the suburbs, and it's difficult to get to work from there without a car. Bikes can't go on the light rail during rush hours.
Getting around on a bike isn't that bad, as long as you stay away from the major arteries. You could do that, but just watch out for car doors. Residential and side streets are fairly quiet, even without the bike paths. There are still hostile drivers there though who think because they're in a car and you're on a bike, you should get off the road. Some more drivers ed or informational promotions would be a good thing.
#41
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Maybe downtown it's 10%. Not to say where I work is typical, but I'm not downtown and comparing the number of bikes in the bike cage and the number of cars in the parkade, no way it's 10% there.
There was probably some political cost to the bike lanes as Mayor Robertson did not even run in the last election.
A lot of people live in the suburbs, and it's difficult to get to work from there without a car. Bikes can't go on the light rail during rush hours.
Getting around on a bike isn't that bad, as long as you stay away from the major arteries. You could do that, but just watch out for car doors. Residential and side streets are fairly quiet, even without the bike paths. There are still hostile drivers there though who think because they're in a car and you're on a bike, you should get off the road. Some more drivers ed or informational promotions would be a good thing.
There was probably some political cost to the bike lanes as Mayor Robertson did not even run in the last election.
A lot of people live in the suburbs, and it's difficult to get to work from there without a car. Bikes can't go on the light rail during rush hours.
Getting around on a bike isn't that bad, as long as you stay away from the major arteries. You could do that, but just watch out for car doors. Residential and side streets are fairly quiet, even without the bike paths. There are still hostile drivers there though who think because they're in a car and you're on a bike, you should get off the road. Some more drivers ed or informational promotions would be a good thing.
Vancouver has a mix of separated bike routes (especially on bridges and in the downtown) and shared bike-designated streets in other areas with lower speed limits, all of which are more safe. On the mixed use route to the University that goes through my neighbourhood the bicycle frequency is high enough that cars clearly avoid it further increasing its suitability to bicyclists. I agree its not perfection, but considerably improved and successfully demonstrated the concept to support further investment in additional infrastructure. Finally, the recent increases in women commuting by bicycle is seen as critical because the number of men who commute some of the time may represent saturation of this demographic (pun intended, given the frequency of rainfall here).
-Will
#42
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
'For bike commuters, safety is a top consideration,' and this is mine as well. You're not going to get many people willing to ride their bikes to work if they feel every time they mount it they're playing some kind of Russian roulette game with traffic. Regardless of what the statistics say about cycling safety, the very idea of riding a bike mere feet, and sometimes inches, next to cars moving at a much higher rate of speed is just crazy. So until that changes you're not going to convince many reasonably sane person that they should ride their bike to work.
There was a short cycling safety video running on the site as I was reading the article. I got a chuckle out of that.
There was a short cycling safety video running on the site as I was reading the article. I got a chuckle out of that.
Additional thought.
Pendulum most likely to swing Progressive again 2020.
I'll bet more people would commute by bike if the government paid them to.
Number crunchers can develop a total cost per mile for a car (road wear/tear, pollution, loss time productivity due to traffic, etc.) and pay people some amount to offset and reward them for removing their vehicle from that Grand Total Cost to the population. Promote the "Pedal Paycheck" program with side benefit of caloric burn... less time in gym... better overall health.
We can do it. Make me Prez, I'll do it. Support a Progressive agenda and at least make it more likely. It's our world. We can make it what we want.
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UK Source
Bike shops are going out of business right and left. They have been for 20 years. You can easily find data on this.
Source
So why are bike shops going out of business? Internet sales is part of it, but just look at the buying process for a first-time bike buyer now, or in the future when there are even fewer brick and mortar stores out there. Who is going to assemble it and keep it running for the average cyclist who can't even fix a flat or keep their tires inflated? How are they even going to CHOOSE a bike from a computer screen the first time?
Fewer bike shops = fewer newbies = fewer bike shops. Vicious circle.
And now the mega stores that spread all the banana peels under the Mom and Pop stores are beginning to crumble under the pressure of online sales AND fewer young people interested in bicycles.
Yeah, I wonder why that study came to the conclusion that fewer people are cycling to work? Well...they looked.
Bike shops are going out of business right and left. They have been for 20 years. You can easily find data on this.
Source
So why are bike shops going out of business? Internet sales is part of it, but just look at the buying process for a first-time bike buyer now, or in the future when there are even fewer brick and mortar stores out there. Who is going to assemble it and keep it running for the average cyclist who can't even fix a flat or keep their tires inflated? How are they even going to CHOOSE a bike from a computer screen the first time?
Fewer bike shops = fewer newbies = fewer bike shops. Vicious circle.
And now the mega stores that spread all the banana peels under the Mom and Pop stores are beginning to crumble under the pressure of online sales AND fewer young people interested in bicycles.
Yeah, I wonder why that study came to the conclusion that fewer people are cycling to work? Well...they looked.
#44
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A: Homeless
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.
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#45
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So why are bike shops going out of business? Internet sales is part of it, but just look at the buying process for a first-time bike buyer now, or in the future when there are even fewer brick and mortar stores out there. Who is going to assemble it and keep it running for the average cyclist who can't even fix a flat or keep their tires inflated? How are they even going to CHOOSE a bike from a computer screen the first time?
#46
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Yeah, no doubt. But when the bike gets delivered and needs assembly, then something is defective from the manufacturer, then what? Especially cheaper bikes, they don't leave the manufacturer perfectly adjusted, or even perfect and READY to be assembled in many cases. I could write up a list of common defects, or at least rough edges on new bikes that the consumer is not equipped to address. A bad experience and the bike goes on eBay leaving one more person alienated to bicycles.
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This morning I saw a pair out riding together, a kid on a bike (presumably heading to school?) and an adult (grandparent?) in a motorized scooter/wheelchair. The kid had his arm on the scooter and was just coasting, as far as I could tell.
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I don't know about nationally, but around here it seems that more people are commuting. I went to the doctor last week and as I was locking up my bike, five or six more cyclists arrived at the bike racks. By the time I left, all the bike parking was full and it is winter.
EDIT: Now I see that one white bike locked to the other rack way in the background...
#49
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I never thought about it but there are a bunch of black or dark grey commuter bikes around. I am going to start commuting on my bright red Cannondale just to spice things up.
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Also, is that Univega actually locked to the rack? Looks like the cable could be slid right up and off the rack