(photo by Biyani Photography)
Spring is a time of blooming new opportunities. There are graduations, great weather, new jobs, and of course blooming flora and fauna.
Nationwide, we also celebrate Bike Month in May. Bike Month is an ideal time to celebrate the bike because of the temperate weather. Not only does it allow cyclists to re-new their love affair with their bicycles, but it provides opportunities for new cyclists to learn about why cycling is so great.
Below is our top 10 reason why you should ride a bicycle more often (especially during Bike Month):
1. Meet your Neighbor – Bicycling allows you to see the world on more of a human level (rather than being strapped into a metal box to get around). Stopping at a stop sign and pulling up next to a cyclists lets you chat, meet your neighbors, and perhaps even fall in love.
2. Stay fit – Bicycling burns calories, gets the heart going, and tones muscles.
3. Keep Money in Your Pocket – Gas prices are only increasing – not to mention the average American spends 17% of their income on transportation. Cycling allows you to take a big chunk out of that and use it for other things, like healthier meals, new cycling clothes, or contributions to your favorite bicycle advocacy organization. Instead of paying for car insurance, registration, and gas taxes, think about spending your money locally at small businesses.
4. Grow the Local Economy – By reducing our need for oil, bicycling allows cyclists to spend more money locally. Many bicycle-related parts are made in the US, and bicycle shops are often owned and staffed by local employees.
5. Create more jobs – When we grow the local economy and spend on bicycle-related infrastructure, we create more local jobs. Bicycle infrastructure creates 11 jobs per million dollar invested, versus building road infrastructure, which only creates 8 jobs per million dollar invested.
6. Keep the Air Clean – Bicycling does not produce any greenhouse gases and reduces your carbon footprint.
7. Reduce your impact on local roads – Motor vehicles are heavy. Their weight can eventually wear away roads, create pot holes, and other maintenance needs. Bicycles (even with a rider) are significantly lighter, and have less of an effect on the roadway, allowing the City to save money by having to do less maintenance.
8. Reduce congestion – Bicycles take up less space than cars. When choosing to ride your bike, you are one less car driving on the roadway, which means those people that have not learned of all the benefits of riding are still benefiting from less wait time, and shorter lines at intersections.
9. Improve the Quality of Life – Slowing down, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of Austin is quality. If you are stuck in a motor vehicle, you can’t appreciate any of these things.
And Last but NOT Least
10. Have FUN! Have you ever bombed down a road on a bicycle on a cool morning? What about navigated traffic efficiently, effectively, and safely? How about riding with your significant other or friends to dinner on bicycles? These are just some of the joys that happen when you bicycle.
To learn more about how to get started riding your bicycle, subscribe to this blog and we will guide you on your way.
