With benefits like an increase in personal health and a decrease in environmental pollution, it comes as no surprise that more and more Americans are choosing to commute by bicycle. In fact, an entire week has been dedicated to encouraging folks to leave the car in the driveway and bike to work during “Bike to Work Week.”
For the history buffs
In 1880 the League of American Bicyclist Wheelmen, now named the League of American Bicyclists, was founded to improve riding conditions and promote the benefits and opportunities of bicycling. Some well-known members included the Wright Brothers and John D Rockefeller! The organization follows their mission supporting and celebrating Bike Month each May, and offers information and “how to” kits on planning events for “Bike to Work Week”.
Though the movement is celebrated across the world, many major cities like Austin, Boston, Portland, San Francisco and Washington actively participate each year.
Need a little motivation to get involved with “Bike to Work Week”? Check out these facts:
- Motorized vehicles produce .97 pounds of pollution per mile
- Bike are up to 50 percent faster than cars during rush hour
- Biking emits ZERO emissions into the environment
- The average person loses 13 pounds in the first year of commuting by bike
- Just 3 hours of biking per week can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50 percent
With more cities providing bike lanes and “Share the Road” initiatives, biking to work is getting even easier! Before you set out on your commute, make sure you have the right safety gear, especially a well-fitted helmet, and familiarize yourself with the biking route as it may differ from your daily drive. Bikers must follow local traffic laws, so be sure to brush up on the rules if you’re relatively new to biking.
Keep your bikes and gear protected with a SIMPLR protection plan.