The idea behind Bike to Work Week is that when people from all over the country are encouraged to step out of their cars and onto a bike. There are several benefits for this activity, including.
• Lessened amount of noise, air and water pollution: Fewer cars on the road means less auto fluid being leaked onto the roads and into our storm drains, a reduced amount of pollution obscuring our skylines, and quieter neighborhoods.
• Increased accessibility to a wide array of income brackets: Those that cannot afford a car and the funding needed to maintain one can more easily afford a bicycle. You don’t pay anything to park a bike and the high costs of gas are a thing of the past when you adopt a cycling lifestyle. All that money that you’re saving can be spent supporting local businesses and fueling the economic recovery.
• Reduced need for space: Ten to twelve bikes can fit in a single parking space. All those unnecessary parking spaces can be easily converted to green areas to provide more natural spaces in our cities.
• Better public health: Want to live longer? One study found that men that bike to work had a mortality rate 39% lower than their non-biking counterparts, even after adjustment for other risk factors. And in a nation with steadily rising obesity rates, any excuse to increase activity should be embraced (especially when no gym membership is required).
Even if it’s just for a week, give biking to work a try. You'll get some exercise, save money, and reduce your ecological footprint in the process. Maybe you'll even have fun.
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