Comments on: Cyclist beats car and bus in commuting race… does it matter? http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Larry http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-35247 Larry Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:13:02 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-35247 Like others above, I have a short commute of 3 miles, but it has the luxury of paved bike paths through a green belt area. The stress reduction of not driving is well worth it, and starts my day with a bit of adrenalin. Like Mary above, I hate having to drive because of a vehicular requied errand. I only shave 5 minutes off my driving time of 15 minutes, but I tend to turn my ride into a time trial event. I do this purely for increased endurance. By riding only 3 days a week at times, I save about $100 in fuel consumption costs per month; definately an additional benefit. Like others above, I have a short commute of 3 miles, but it has the luxury of paved bike paths through a green belt area. The stress reduction of not driving is well worth it, and starts my day with a bit of adrenalin. Like Mary above, I hate having to drive because of a vehicular requied errand. I only shave 5 minutes off my driving time of 15 minutes, but I tend to turn my ride into a time trial event. I do this purely for increased endurance. By riding only 3 days a week at times, I save about $100 in fuel consumption costs per month; definately an additional benefit.

]]> By: Treadly and Me http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-34872 Treadly and Me Wed, 30 May 2007 20:57:51 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-34872 <strong>Seeing a commuter challenge for what it is...</strong> Is a commuter challenge about showcasing the supremacy of commuting by bike or demonstrating how bad traffic congestion has become in the modern city?...... Seeing a commuter challenge for what it is…

Is a commuter challenge about showcasing the supremacy of commuting by bike or demonstrating how bad traffic congestion has become in the modern city?……

]]> By: Erin http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-34749 Erin Tue, 29 May 2007 20:09:11 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-34749 Whether my commute is faster or slower depends on what you're comparing it to... Straight up drive-time is about the same. I commute 3.5 miles each way over a rather hilly area, and am forced to go around the most direct route because of traffic and hills. Time from when I step out my door to when I am ready to work, my car is faster. Because of the hills, I have to ride to work in clothes I don't mind getting sweaty and change once I get here. Time driven + getting ready + GYM TIME, bike is faster hands down. When I commute on my bike, I don't need to hit the gym after work, which not only takes more time but is sooooo bloody boring. In regards to how applicable this study/comparison is: I've read that 50% of Americans live within 5 miles of their office. OK, so the test was done at 4 miles, but based on that statistic I'd guess that it's still applicable to a good number of people. Whether my commute is faster or slower depends on what you’re comparing it to…

Straight up drive-time is about the same. I commute 3.5 miles each way over a rather hilly area, and am forced to go around the most direct route because of traffic and hills.

Time from when I step out my door to when I am ready to work, my car is faster. Because of the hills, I have to ride to work in clothes I don’t mind getting sweaty and change once I get here.

Time driven + getting ready + GYM TIME, bike is faster hands down. When I commute on my bike, I don’t need to hit the gym after work, which not only takes more time but is sooooo bloody boring.

In regards to how applicable this study/comparison is: I’ve read that 50% of Americans live within 5 miles of their office. OK, so the test was done at 4 miles, but based on that statistic I’d guess that it’s still applicable to a good number of people.

]]> By: Brian http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-33705 Brian Sat, 26 May 2007 03:34:57 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-33705 Yes, it does matter if for no other reason than to show that bicycle commuting can be just as efficient if not more so than driving a car. I just got back from Amsterdam. A friend and I rented bikes for our stay and it just became second nature to leave the apartment and get on the bikes to get to where we wanted. Of course, Amsterdam being VERY flat and VERY interesting made it a joy. When I commuted to work by bicycle in a big city, biking took almost the exact same time. It took me 20 mins to bike to my job and usually like 17 minutes minimum in a car, if the traffic was good. This was because by biking I was able to move along in traffic while the cars were standing still and also park close by versus having to find parking. It was also possible to cut through some residential areas and town parks. The trip was actually shorter in miles by bike. An easy way to encourage biking to work would be to simply "pay" the employee to do it. That is offer to let the biking employee use a small amount of time to put on his biking commute. If it takes 30 minutes by car and 45 minutes by bike, give them an extra 15 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to bike home. The other thing about Europe that makes biking easy is that there is also a train that goes to every tiny town there is. It is possible to put a bike on a train and use the bike after the train commute. Of course our train system in the USA is almost non-existant. Yes, it does matter if for no other reason than to show that bicycle commuting can be just as efficient if not more so than driving a car.

I just got back from Amsterdam. A friend and I rented bikes for our stay and it just became second nature to leave the apartment and get on the bikes to get to where we wanted. Of course, Amsterdam being VERY flat and VERY interesting made it a joy.

When I commuted to work by bicycle in a big city, biking took almost the exact same time. It took me 20 mins to bike to my job and usually like 17 minutes minimum in a car, if the traffic was good. This was because by biking I was able to move along in traffic while the cars were standing still and also park close by versus having to find parking. It was also possible to cut through some residential areas and town parks. The trip was actually shorter in miles by bike.

An easy way to encourage biking to work would be to simply “pay” the employee to do it. That is offer to let the biking employee use a small amount of time to put on his biking commute. If it takes 30 minutes by car and 45 minutes by bike, give them an extra 15 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to bike home.

The other thing about Europe that makes biking easy is that there is also a train that goes to every tiny town there is. It is possible to put a bike on a train and use the bike after the train commute. Of course our train system in the USA is almost non-existant.

]]> By: Mary http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-33211 Mary Thu, 24 May 2007 14:14:29 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-33211 I just drove my car for the first time in 5 days (had to today) and I hate it! On top of that, my gas was nearly empty and I ran into tons of construction...bikes are the way to go. I just drove my car for the first time in 5 days (had to today) and I hate it! On top of that, my gas was nearly empty and I ran into tons of construction…bikes are the way to go.

]]> By: Red http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-33144 Red Thu, 24 May 2007 07:47:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-33144 the best part of commuting is getting home and enjoying it as opposed to craving for some movement after a day sitting at the office: i am a loony when not commuting but can relax after riding; that's invaluable. i don't always get enough hours in when commuting so when i take the car (sometimes i have to!) i try and put in extra long days. so my commute is definitely longer, but i get to see grass, breathe in fresh air and feel my heart beat. the best part of commuting is getting home and enjoying it as opposed to craving for some movement after a day sitting at the office: i am a loony when not commuting but can relax after riding; that’s invaluable. i don’t always get enough hours in when commuting so when i take the car (sometimes i have to!) i try and put in extra long days. so my commute is definitely longer, but i get to see grass, breathe in fresh air and feel my heart beat.

]]> By: Joe G. http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-32987 Joe G. Wed, 23 May 2007 17:11:11 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-32987 I have a short commute, 1.5 miles. But it's city driving, and it takes about 15 minutes with all the stoplights, signs, etc. to get to my office by car. By bike, stopping at signs and red lights, it takes 6, if I'm in a hurry. I take different routes by bike than by car, much more scenic and less busy, an also much faster. I can make more stops and stop in on my friends' offices on the way to and from work as well. When my commute changes to the 42 mile one way trip next week, I will miss my bike extremely, and will be working on finding an easy way to multi-commute (train, bus, bike.) For now though I'm enjoying every minute! I have a short commute, 1.5 miles. But it’s city driving, and it takes about 15 minutes with all the stoplights, signs, etc. to get to my office by car. By bike, stopping at signs and red lights, it takes 6, if I’m in a hurry. I take different routes by bike than by car, much more scenic and less busy, an also much faster.
I can make more stops and stop in on my friends’ offices on the way to and from work as well.
When my commute changes to the 42 mile one way trip next week, I will miss my bike extremely, and will be working on finding an easy way to multi-commute (train, bus, bike.) For now though I’m enjoying every minute!

]]> By: Ahd Child http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-32942 Ahd Child Wed, 23 May 2007 14:48:09 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-32942 My commute is definitely faster than car or bus. Mine is less than 4 miles, but I don't think it's the distance that makes the difference. It's the fact that I'm riding through a city during rush hour. When traffic is stopped or moving slowly, I fly by, I don't stop at lights if the way is clear, and I can cut corners. In city traffic, bikes are often the fastest form of transportation. I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing that out as a benefit of biking as long as you make it clear that that's not always the case. My commute is definitely faster than car or bus. Mine is less than 4 miles, but I don’t think it’s the distance that makes the difference. It’s the fact that I’m riding through a city during rush hour. When traffic is stopped or moving slowly, I fly by, I don’t stop at lights if the way is clear, and I can cut corners.

In city traffic, bikes are often the fastest form of transportation. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with pointing that out as a benefit of biking as long as you make it clear that that’s not always the case.

]]> By: Tim Grahl http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-32925 Tim Grahl Wed, 23 May 2007 13:39:16 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-32925 Nacho, I'm with ya... I have the perfect commuting situation. I can look/smell however I want at my office and I have no set time schedule and I work almost exclusively from my office (or coffee shop or whatever). What I love about commuting by bike is the exercise it gives me and the peacefulness of taking my time and enjoying my surroundings. Nacho, I’m with ya… I have the perfect commuting situation. I can look/smell however I want at my office and I have no set time schedule and I work almost exclusively from my office (or coffee shop or whatever). What I love about commuting by bike is the exercise it gives me and the peacefulness of taking my time and enjoying my surroundings.

]]> By: Nacho http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-32919 Nacho Wed, 23 May 2007 13:35:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/22/cyclist-beats-car-and-bus-in-commuting-race-does-it-matter/#comment-32919 It's a matter of where you commute by bike. Here in Buenos Aires (full crowded and all day traffic jam city) i'm doing my 6.5 miles commute in 40 min instead of an hour doing it by bus + subway. And if would spend the same time, i would still commuting by bike because it's healthier (mentally, in my case) It’s a matter of where you commute by bike. Here in Buenos Aires (full crowded and all day traffic jam city) i’m doing my 6.5 miles commute in 40 min instead of an hour doing it by bus + subway. And if would spend the same time, i would still commuting by bike because it’s healthier (mentally, in my case)

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