May is National Bike Month, and there’s no better time to jump on your bicycle and start saving money
As fuel prices near $4 per gallon in the Portland area, consider this: A gallon of gasoline might cost as much as $9 if it counted the real costs of driving automobiles, including road building, maintenance, congestion and pollution.
Autos are the single largest source of air pollution in the United States, and short car trips are up to three times more polluting per mile than long trips. If you trade short car trips for biking, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile.
More bicycles and fewer cars means cleaner air in your community. Biking is also good for your health and your wallet.
Still not convinced or not sure how to get started? Here are 10 tips to help you and your family get rolling.
Ten biking excuses and solutions
- I am out of shape. Ride at an easy pace. You will improve your fitness level the more you ride.
- It takes too long. Trips of less than 3 miles are often quicker by bike. Trips of 5 to 7 miles in urban areas may take less time traveling by bike than by car because bicycles can use bike paths to move past congestion.
- It's too far. Combine riding and mass transit to shorten your commute or ride to a coworker's house and carpool to work.
- There’s no place to park my bike. Find a storage area in your building or office or formally request that your employer provide bike parking.
- I do not own a bike. Driving a car costs the average family more than $700 each month. A new bicycle and gear will pay for itself in a few weeks.
- What about showering? Most bike commuters do not shower at work. Ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry while biking.
- I have to dress up for work. Pack clothes with you and change at work. Try rolling clothes instead of folding them to reduce wrinkles.
- It's raining. Use fenders on your bike and wear rain gear to stay dry.
- The roads are not safe. Follow safe practices by riding on the right, obeying traffic signs, signaling turns, stopping at lights, wearing bright clothing and wearing a helmet every time you ride.
- I have to run errands. Bolt a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity and make sure you have a lock to secure your bike.