WAPO article on bike commuting

[jrenaut]

I did, and was shocked at how reasonable it was. Reminds me that this forum is not exactly representative of the general public, or even the general cycling public. I don’t mean that in a bad way (in fact, quite the opposite), but just that many of you put an amazing number of miles on your bikes, even compared to average bike commuters.

It also suggests that one of the things cycling advocates can do to help more people commute by bike is to work on helping integrate biking into multi-modal commutes, so that people who don’t have the time/desire/means/whatever to do longer bike commutes can still ride for maybe the last few miles. Make it easier to put bikes on Metro, bikes on buses, commuter lots along the trails, and things like that.

Also interesting to see that my commute (3.5 miles) is just under average (3.9 miles) unless I take the scenic route or run an errand.

[creadinger]

It’s written reasonably but it seems a little unfair that he wrote it after riding just a couple of days without also mentioning how he could improve his commute. The amount of knowledge one gains about route choice, gear, time, food, etc after riding for several days is astounding. Everyone is a tad unprepared or naive after just a day or two and he doesn’t seem to realize how much better it could be if he knew just a little bit more.

[jrenaut]

That’s true. I guess I have very low standards for how I expect bike commuting to be portrayed in the media.

[Certifried]

It also didn’t seem to include any information from outside sources, people like (for example) the riders here. I’m coming from the same perspective, BTWD inspired me to tackle the 21m commute more often. So far I’ve managed to cut my time down to very close what it takes me on Metro (red to green lines). I’m learning a TON of information from the people here on every aspect of what I need to be better prepared to make this more than just a once-a-year isn’t-this-cool idea.

[jopamora]

It was a nice article. Someone pointed him to this forum in the comments, so I have a feeling we’ll be hearing from him.

[pfunkallstar]

A well-written and honest article. However, he should have given it at least a month. Bike to Work Day is an excellent introduction, but we still need more day-to-day ways of motivating people to get on a bike.

[JeffC]

It was funny that the WaPo author Ashley Halsey specifically asked for comments on this forum BEFORE he wrote an article. His article appeared a few weeks ago and had little to do with biking but more with the declining interest in cars.

Now Lenny Bernstein wrote his article with no comments from us first, might have been more relevant or interesting if he got some perspective first.

I admit there is a big learning curve, from routes, to shortcuts, to gear, lights, etc. etc. as well as a process where your body acclimates to the additional physical stres.. You also most assuredly do not have to go every day a week. I live in Falls Church and commute to downtown DC (about 11 miles one way) and have managed to do nearly 2000 miles a year for the past five years going a couple days a week. I’m a desk jockey with two young kids in his 40s so if I can do it, most anybody else can.

[pfunkallstar]

@JeffC 21463 wrote:

It was funny that the WaPo author Ashley Halsey specifically asked for comments on this forum BEFORE he wrote an article. His article appeared a few weeks ago and had little to do with biking but more with the declining interest in cars.

Now Lenny Bernstein wrote his article with no comments from us first, might have been more relevant or interesting if he got some perspective first.

I admit there is a big learning curve, from routes, to shortcuts, to gear, lights, etc. etc. as well as a process where your body acclimates to the additional physical stres.. You also most assuredly do not have to go every day a week. I live in Falls Church and commute to downtown DC (about 11 miles one way) and have managed to do nearly 2000 miles a year for the past five years going a couple days a week. I’m a desk jockey with two young kids in his 40s so if I can do it, most anybody else can.

Desk Jockey Fist Bump

[5555624]

@pfunkallstar 21461 wrote:

Bike to Work Day is an excellent introduction, but we still need more day-to-day ways of motivating people to get on a bike.

This is why I’ve always thought Bike to Work Day should be a Monday or Tuesday — so people can ride the second time a day (or two) later. With a little effort/luck, someone might ride a few times in that week and that makes it easier to continue. If you ride for the first time ona Friday, you forget about it over the weekend, and then it rains on Monday and ….

[Dirt]

I kinda felt like there was more emphasis on National Bike Month this year than in past. Maybe it is just my perspective.

I also liked how there was a lot more talk about Bike To Work WEEK instead of just one day. People who rode one day last year may have tried to go for a few days… or the whole week. Those who did the whole week this year, may go for the month next year. By that time you’ve got them hooked.

Honestly, one of the main reasons I do stuff like the forum and ride bikes that are easily distinguishable is that it is the best way that I can show people how much of your life you can live on a bicycle. People may say “I can’t ride 340 days per year, but I can ride 50, or 100.” I can’t persuade people with my words, but maybe some photos, blog and forum posts and a happy wave as we pass on the trail can show people how awesome this area is to live by bike.

I know… I’m preaching to the choir here…. Maybe me talking about it in these terms can help others spread the word too.

Rock on, kids.

Dirt

[americancyclo]

I found it interesting that Lenny was coming from Potomac, MD, which I usually think of as a place for experience roadies to breeze through, or folks who like to be in a traffic jam every day in their car. Taking a brief look at the Google Bicycle Map, that section of Maryland has the least dense bicycle infrastructure second only to outer parts of Anacostia.

I may be biased in that I ride skinny tires and get to ride the W&OD and Custis every day, but I don’t think of the C&O as a particularly friendly ‘commute’ option. I can’t help but think that if Lenny lived in Vienna, Rockville, Alexandria, or even Beltsville, that the experience might have been a bit more positive. Or maybe they would have gotten squashed crossing the GWMP. Who knows…

[Certifried]

Thanks, Pete. Honestly, I’m not “part of the choir” yet, but seeing so many people (and you, primarily) commute on a regular basis, regardless of weather, pulling SO many miles, has inspired at least 1 person to go for it. Me. I hope to see you out on the roads or trails one day, or maybe at a meet-up so I can buy you a beer.

For my part, I’ve raised a few eyebrows at work. One other, at least, has been inspired to also buy a bike and commute (occasionally) on it. Trickle down.

[KLizotte]

@Dirt 21571 wrote:

I also liked how there was a lot more talk about Bike To Work WEEK instead of just one day. People who rode one day last year may have tried to go for a few days… or the whole week. Those who did the whole week this year, may go for the month next year. By that time you’ve got them hooked.

I agree that moving the emphasis to BTW week is a better idea because of the possibility of bad weather ruining one day and trying to get people to bike more than one day. Perhaps have kick off festivities on Monday and close out with more festivities on Friday?

[KLizotte]

@americancyclo 21572 wrote:

I found it interesting that Lenny was coming from Potomac, MD, which I usually think of as a place for experience roadies to breeze through, or folks who like to be in a traffic jam every day in their car. Taking a brief look at the Google Bicycle Map, that section of Maryland has the least dense bicycle infrastructure second only to outer parts of Anacostia.

I may be biased in that I ride skinny tires and get to ride the W&OD and Custis every day, but I don’t think of the C&O as a particularly friendly ‘commute’ option. I can’t help but think that if Lenny lived in Vienna, Rockville, Alexandria, or even Beltsville, that the experience might have been a bit more positive. Or maybe they would have gotten squashed crossing the GWMP. Who knows…

The article would have been a great opportunity for the author to point out that perhaps citizens in his area should start lobbying government officials to start building multi-use trails in his area. Build it and they will come….

[creadinger]

@KLizotte 21575 wrote:

The article would have been a great opportunity for the author to point out that perhaps citizens in his area should start lobbying government officials to start building multi-use trails in his area. Build it and they will come….

Or at least improve the stuff they’ve already built. MVT needs to be wider for one. And how is it that it’s virtually impossible to go from the MVT to the CC trail without getting off your bike and walking it up/down stairs or across a dangerous highway? That’s just dumb.

[Author]

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