The Young People, They Like the Bicycles

Dana Goldsteind writes for The American Prospect and recently joined the ranks of DC Bike commuting bloggers (along with Megan McArdle and washcycle-fanatic Matthew Yglesias).

So one sunny day, I stopped by the local bike shop after work and walked out with a 24-gear hybrid, perfect for both commuting and recreation. In the weeks since, I’ve saved over $100 on bus and Metro fares; in just a few months, I’ll recoup the entire cost of the bike. Even better, I’ve joined a tight-knit but growing group of bike-commuting enthusiasts.

In Washington, D.C., since 2000, the number of cycling commuters has risen by 50 percent to encompass 5 percent of all workers. Indeed, the city is becoming a national leader in decreasing traffic and pollution by encouraging cycling. In mid-May, the city rolled out a bike-sharing program called SmartBike, in partnership with, of all companies, Clear Channel Outdoor, the division of the radio giant dedicated to open-air advertising. For a $40 annual membership fee, SmartBike members can rent bikes at 10 kiosks throughout the city for up to the three hours at a time. Since 2000, the District has installed 700 bike racks and spent $10 million on paved bike trails. Public buses here even feature bike racks for fatigued riders looking to avoid the hills.

After the Alice Swanson tragedy she wrote about how increased cycling may be leading to an increase in fatalities.

Today MSNBC reports that as gas prices spike, accidents involving bikes are up as well -- in large part because American drivers aren't accustomed to sharing the roads. (Ezra has a great post detailing how the situation is different in Europe.) In New Jersey, for example, 12 cyclists were killed in 2007, while in just the first half of 2008, 11 cyclists have died in traffic accidents. Still, we shouldn't overstate this trend -- there are no national data available. In D.C., only one or two cyclists are killed in the typical year, and Swanson's death was the first of 2008.

An increase in deaths with an increase in riding would only make sense, but I suspect we'll see a decrease in the ratio of fatalities per mile biked.  She's with me on some local changes.

D.C. has a nice billboard campaign right now advertising the health and financial benefits of biking; it should be accompanied by highly visible signage reminding drivers that bikes have all the same rights as cars on the road. And biking and public transportation should work seamlessly together. D.C. prohibits bikes on Metro during the rush hour; another option is to follow the lead of cities such as Salt Like City and outfit train cars with bike straps that keep cycles out from underfoot.

She also points out an article I missed.

Jeremy Guthrie has played on two major league teams. Nobody except him rode a bicycle to the ballpark when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians. It seems as if half the Orioles team gets around on two wheels and a handlebar.

Guthrie definitely has come to the right place.

Fans are accustomed to the players' lot being filled with expensive rides - sports cars, HUVs, private jets. But you should check out the clubhouse sometime, or the weight room. There are enough bikes parked there to hold the Tour de France. I keep waiting for players to change into yellow jerseys, though that honor probably should be delayed until they're in first place.

At last count, the cyclists include Guthrie, Luke Scott, Aubrey Huff, Brian Burres, Garrett Olson and Lance Cormier. Nick Markakis dropped out after buying a house in Monkton.

And the Nats stadium has all the bike parking? This is an outrage!

Photo of Babe Ruth on a bicycle from guano

Comments

[Purple Eagle]

Could be a nice ride from Monkton once the Jones Fall Trail is complete. Monkton is on the Northern Central RR Trail. For now, I am not sure how easy it is to right through north Baltimore.

[Lee Watkins]

Risk of accident per million kilometres (Drawn from Dutch statistics)

Age group Motorists (drivers), Cyclists
12 - 14 n/a, 16.8
15 - 17 n/a, 18.2
18 - 24 33.5 7.7
25 - 29 17.0 8.2
30 - 39 9.7, 7.0
40 - 49 9.7, 9.2
50 - 59 5.9, 17.2
60 - 64 10.4, 32.1
> 64 39.9, 79.1
Total 20.8, 21.0

cycling: the way ahead for towns and cities (European Commission) - Page 34 - table 4.1
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cycling/cycling_en.pdf

However, I have read other Dutch and Danish publications proved that as the bicycle use increases as a percentage of all trips in a city, the number of bicycle accidents will chart as a Natural Logarithm - so past a certain point the total number will level off. This means that past a certain threashold, the risk to any individual cyclist will fall dramatically as more motorists become cyclists.

[Nancy]

The more people who get out of cars and onto bikes, the fewer people there will be driving 3,000 pound weapons. When more people ride bikes, everyone on the road, including motorists, will be safer.

[old guy]

Sorry to be a crumudgeon, but the more Freds on my bike path, the less safe it is for me. It's gotten nuts out there this year. I'm prayin' for cheap gas to get the knuckleheads back into their cars.