I would like to preface this by saying that I am in love with and in many ways dependent on my car Gladys. She is more than a vehicle – she is a safe haven during thunderstorms and a welcome beacon of warmth on cold mornings at the campsite.
It has recently occurred to me that not only is bike commuting a lot of fun, but it also could solve a lot of America’s problems, and here’s why.
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| Figeuroa Corridor in Los Angeles |
I know traffic. And I know that it sucks. The sheer number of cars on the road on any given morning in LA is absolutely appalling. All these people, all going to the same place at the same time, separated into little gas guzzling pods. It’s obviously frustrating to be sitting in traffic, but it affects everyone in the city, not just the car-commuters. Hang out in Malibu or stroll Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and you’ll say Southern California is beautiful. Now sit in traffic on the 405 and try saying that with a straight face. But look at Boulder. I know there are a lot fewer people, but still. People value the ability to get around on bikes, and the local government has supported the flourishing bike culture. The result? Let’s just say any time I see construction in the city it’s to repair bike paths, not roads. And despite rapid growth of the community, there has been no need for a major freeway running through the center of town.
Problem #2: Air Pollution
Theoretically, Los Angeles is the best place on Earth for triathlon training. Year-round sunshine, warm temperatures, the ocean, a good mix of flat riding along the beach and awe-inspiring canyon climbs. The downside? That I feel like I’m smoking a pack of cigarettes every time I run downtown. Now jump over to Boulder (ahhhhh…..). The air is so fresh it almost makes up for the lack of oxygen. Is it a coincidence that there are also fewer cars? I think not.
Problem #3: Dependence on Foreign Oil
With perpetual “turmoil in the Middle East,” the so-called crisis of America’s dependence on foreign oil has become a hot-button issue. Driving fuel-efficient little Honda Civics in high school, I always thought that I was a good guy when it came to reducing the amount of fuel I use. I care about my carbon footprint, therefore I drive a small car. But guess what? Your neighbor’s massive SUV and your little Prius burn exactly the same amount of fuel when they’re sitting in the driveway. It’s not always about what you drive, it’s that you drive. Any guesses as to how much gas bikes use up? Yeah…
Problem #4: Obesity
About 34% of adults 17% of children in the U.S. are obese. That’s over 94 million people. Still think it’s not an epidemic? And the scary part is that it looks like it’s still on the rise. How does this even happen? Well, it happens when people go to a drive-thru on the way to work, sit at a desk all day, maybe hit the drive-thru on the way home, and then watch TV for three hours every night. Alternatively, a half hour bike commute each way will not only bar you from the drive-thru (bikes don't weigh enough to set off the sensor, and if you do, you should NOT be there) but also makes you burn anywhere from 500-800 extra calories every day without having to drag your lazy ass to the gym. To put it in perspective, those extra calories would add up to 1-1.5 lbs of weight loss every week without having to “diet” at all. In fact, the average person loses 13 pounds in their first year of bike commuting. And I don’t know for sure but I imagine cycling is less fun when you’re obese, so I would think commuting by bike would provide some good motivation as well.
Problem #5: Heart Disease
The only thing that kills more Americans than cancer is heart disease. Obviously, some of us have underlying condition that we can thank our parents for, but the vast majority of us can live long and healthy lives if we just take care of ourselves. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week to prevent heart disease. Most likely a bike commute will take you 15 minutes one way, which would add up to an hour and a half every week. Depending on what your commute is like, it might even be faster to bike. So ditch the “I don’t have time for exercise” excuse and go pedal!
Problem #6: Vitamin D Deficiency
40% of the U.S. population is Vitamin D deficient, a condition linked to osteoporosis, depression, some forms of cancer, diabetes, and obesity. But literally half an hour outside every day can eliminate this issue. Unless you are riding your bike through a tunnel, your commute would take care of this.
Problem #7: Depression
Almost 20 million Americans suffer from depression. Driving cars isn’t that fun but riding bikes is a lot of fun! And fun things make you happy. There you go, hard science.
Problem #8: Divorce
More than half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Why? Oh I don’t know, probably because couples are so busy that they don’t spend enough time together and they get all stressed out at work or something and take it out on each other. But you know which couples always look happy? The ones on tandem bikes.
So there you have it. How bike commuting solves eight of America’s biggest issues. I’m still working on a couple more including overpopulation (riding on very uncomfortable bike seats perhaps?) and the national debt (a new flourishing bike industry?).
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