According to the US department of Transportation, in the United States, personal trips made by non-motorized means fell in recent decades to less than 10 percent. The sharp contrast is European cities where it’s reported
that 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 of all personal trips are done by cycling or walking. The work of cycling advocates, transportation leaders and government funding have kickstarted America towards a new cycle commuting trend. What obstacles
do we need to overcome and what can we do to keep moving toward a more bicycle friendly society?

“The marketing, politics and money involved in auto transit has overwhelmed any other transportation choice. Even cyclists do not accept bikes as a transit choice. Look at the popular cycling magazines, very little is devoted to utilitarian cycling. The latest issue of Bicycling Magazine has 6 full pages of advertisements for cars, including the entire back cover.” States Lou Melini.

Lou was recently awarded the UTA Commuter Vision Award for his cycle commuting column in Cycling Utah. (www.cyclingutah.com.) He is a cycle commuter. He also serves on the board of directors for the Salt Lake County
Bicycle Advisory Committee (www.slcbac.org).

“Ask cyclists why they do not ride to work or run errands on their bike. You will hear a few politically correct answers but the reality is that even cyclists are too sucked into the lifestyle that a car provides. The bottom line is that we as a society overlook over 45,000 deaths/ year, most to healthy young people, because we are so convinced that driving is much more worthwhile way to transport ourselves.”

Lou has valid points. I was a cyclist for a number of years before the idea of cycle commuting even crossed my mind. Our communities are designed and built with the automobile and freeways as our main transportation mode.
Therefore, everyone uses the car. The vision of cycling advocates and city planners has started a trend towards this more “civilized” mode of tranportation. What can we do to keep the momentum?

“Overall it will take political leadership for more acceptance and accessibility. Zoning laws that perpetuate suburban sprawl need to change. In addition, it will take a huge effort by cyclists to take to the streets and ride to work, to stores, to community council meeting and wherever transportation public policy issues are discussed. Citizens need to think about transportation choices and this will take a large attitude change to overcome the marketing of the past century.”

It is bike month. I challenge you to support those people already working for more sustainable communities. Get On Your Bike and Ride! n

“Cyclists can improve their safety by carefully choosing a good commuting route, acting like a vehicle (with some exceptions), ride a lot, take a Road I riding course (SLCbikecollective.com), or look at a few bike commuting
websites, such as Paul Dorn’s, Runmuki.com/commute, bicyclinglife.com, bikecommute.com, among others.”