Bicycle

FOR TRANSPORT

What does it mean to bicycle for transport?

Biking for transport means riding a bike to get from place

to place, instead of driving a car. In the United States, biking is seen primarily as a sport and much less as a mode of transportation. Bicycle transportation is very common in many European countries.
27%
18% 11%

10%

Bicycle share of total transportation

1%

Netherlands

Denmark

Finland

Germany

United States

What does it take to build a strong biking culture?

PERCEIVED ROADBLOCKS:
Equipment is too expensive Biking in traffic is dangerous Distance is too far

REALISTIC SOLUTIONS:
Ride simple, inexpensive bikes Build separate bike trails and

Spandex and

helmets are unfashionable Weather can be too extreme

use traffic-calming procedures Create mixed developments through strict land use policies Wear normal clothing and oppose helmet laws Bike in all types of weather

Why should I bicycle for transport?

In the United States, we face two dangerous epidemics.

Pollution of the Environment Obesity & Poor Health

Bicycle Transportation Saves the Environment

If 15% of U.S. drivers switched to bicycles, wed cut greenhouse gas

emissions by 33 million tons and save 3.8 billion gallons of gasoline per year Every 4 miles pedaled rather than driven keeps 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe Bikes use only a fraction of the land needed to drive and park cars U.S. car parking lots = 160 billion square feet of land covered with concrete and asphalt

Bicycle Transportation Improves Physical Health

Bicycling burns about 500 calories/hour Adults who bike to work have healthier

weight, blood pressure and insulin levels Biking for 30 minutes per day decreases the risk of breast cancer in women On average, cyclists live 2 years longer than non-cyclists and take 15% fewer sick days Bicycle commuters report less stress and greater feelings of freedom and relaxation than car commuters

Bicycle Transportation is for Everyone

Start small invest in an affordable bicycle and start biking for all

short trips Speak up encourage city officials to build bike infrastructure

Ask for help

Salt Lake County Bicycle Ambassadors want to answer your questions Be a part of the solution if we all do a little, we can make a big difference Environment + Health =
IT JUST MAKES SENSE!
Salt Lake City is poised to become a strong biking community.

Sources
Bikes Belong. Bikes Belong. BB, 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2013. <http://

www.bikesbelong.org/resources/stats-and-research/statistics/> Lasley, Jack. Telephone interview. 23 Sept. 2013. Marin Country Bicycle Coalition. Marin Bike. MB, 2012. Web. 18 Sept. 2013. <http://www.marinbike.org/Resources/BenefitsOfBike Commuting.shtml> Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons From The Netherlands, Denmark And Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Sept. 2013. Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. Walking and Cycling for Healthy Cities. Built Environment 36.4 (2010): 391-414. Rutgers: Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Web. 9 Sept. 2013.