diceman
Gas over 3$ I bought a hybrid style bike-I have been biking 20 miles round trip to work one day a week.
Answer
Yes there is a trend and it is up.
Some governments actually promote it. Although this usually only takes place after much lobbying and consultation by/with cycling groups. Once the benefits are made clear it isn't so hard to get governments more interested.
⢠Transport:
Maintaining and improving cycling networks
involves high costs to the national, state and local
governments, while the costs of congestion are estimated to higher.More people riding bicycles can help reduce congestion and this cost to the community. Bikes also have minimal impact on road surfaces.
Providing cycling infrastructure and facilities is space efficient.
Over short distances, for example up to five kilometres, bikes
can be quick and efficient as they enable door to door service and
can be parked close to destinations.
⢠Health:
Regular cycling, as a moderate intensity physical
activity, provides a number of health benefits. Cycling can
contribute to the prevention of a number of physical and
psychological illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and depression. Physical inactivity is now one of the highest risk factors contributing to illness, disability and premature death for both men and women . Increasing the number of cycling trips also has health benefits for the wider community
such as reduced air pollution and strain on the health care
system. Importantly, the rate of injury to cyclists âis lower than
other popular forms of exercise.
⢠Economy:
The cost of buying and maintaining a bike is around 1% of the cost of buying and maintaining a car. Cycling 10 km to work each day can save an
individual around $1700 per year in transport costs. Businesses can also benefit from encouraging staff to cycle to work as staff will be more punctual, take less sick days, and demonstrate improved productivity. In the local area, travelling by bicycle means goods and services are purchased locally, boosting the local economy. Also, provision for cycling can encourage bicycle tourism to regions and in turn attract new businesses and jobs.
⢠Social equity:
Bicycles can provide affordable, accessible and independent travel for a large number of people.
This includes many members of the community whose access to transport might otherwise be limited, such as the unemployed, low income earners, and children. More bikes and cycling facilities in neighbourhoods reduces motor vehicle traffic, providing an improved and safer road network for pedestrians including children, seniors, and people with disabilities
⢠Environment:
Bicycle use is pollution free and the production,use and maintenance of bicycles consumes minimal fossil fuels.
The transport sector currently produces about 16%
greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest
growing sector of all emissions. Sixty one percent of car trips are less than 10 km and these are the most polluting of car trips. Replacing just some of these
trips with bike rides will improve air quality significantly. For
each kilometre cycled instead of driven, greenhouse gas
emissions are reduced by up to one third of a kilogram
. Other environmental benefits from increased bicycle usage include reduced vehicle noise emissions and reduced land needs for car parking.
There are many countrys in the world that are going to great lengths to promote commuting.
I am more familiar with statistics of my own country (Australia) but these generally parrellel those of the U.S. and the U.K..
To give you an Idea of what can be achieved by lobbying governments please have a read though this document.
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb9ede001f5eed7/Pdf_queensland_cycle_strategy.pdf
This did take some time to evolve but it is already being implemented. (And it is working). It has taken input from hundreds or interested people and a co-operative government to acheive this.
If you enjoy your cycling maybe you could get the ball rolling where you live. You will find many allies in the cycling community. EVERYBODY BENEFITS
Yes there is a trend and it is up.
Some governments actually promote it. Although this usually only takes place after much lobbying and consultation by/with cycling groups. Once the benefits are made clear it isn't so hard to get governments more interested.
⢠Transport:
Maintaining and improving cycling networks
involves high costs to the national, state and local
governments, while the costs of congestion are estimated to higher.More people riding bicycles can help reduce congestion and this cost to the community. Bikes also have minimal impact on road surfaces.
Providing cycling infrastructure and facilities is space efficient.
Over short distances, for example up to five kilometres, bikes
can be quick and efficient as they enable door to door service and
can be parked close to destinations.
⢠Health:
Regular cycling, as a moderate intensity physical
activity, provides a number of health benefits. Cycling can
contribute to the prevention of a number of physical and
psychological illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and depression. Physical inactivity is now one of the highest risk factors contributing to illness, disability and premature death for both men and women . Increasing the number of cycling trips also has health benefits for the wider community
such as reduced air pollution and strain on the health care
system. Importantly, the rate of injury to cyclists âis lower than
other popular forms of exercise.
⢠Economy:
The cost of buying and maintaining a bike is around 1% of the cost of buying and maintaining a car. Cycling 10 km to work each day can save an
individual around $1700 per year in transport costs. Businesses can also benefit from encouraging staff to cycle to work as staff will be more punctual, take less sick days, and demonstrate improved productivity. In the local area, travelling by bicycle means goods and services are purchased locally, boosting the local economy. Also, provision for cycling can encourage bicycle tourism to regions and in turn attract new businesses and jobs.
⢠Social equity:
Bicycles can provide affordable, accessible and independent travel for a large number of people.
This includes many members of the community whose access to transport might otherwise be limited, such as the unemployed, low income earners, and children. More bikes and cycling facilities in neighbourhoods reduces motor vehicle traffic, providing an improved and safer road network for pedestrians including children, seniors, and people with disabilities
⢠Environment:
Bicycle use is pollution free and the production,use and maintenance of bicycles consumes minimal fossil fuels.
The transport sector currently produces about 16%
greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest
growing sector of all emissions. Sixty one percent of car trips are less than 10 km and these are the most polluting of car trips. Replacing just some of these
trips with bike rides will improve air quality significantly. For
each kilometre cycled instead of driven, greenhouse gas
emissions are reduced by up to one third of a kilogram
. Other environmental benefits from increased bicycle usage include reduced vehicle noise emissions and reduced land needs for car parking.
There are many countrys in the world that are going to great lengths to promote commuting.
I am more familiar with statistics of my own country (Australia) but these generally parrellel those of the U.S. and the U.K..
To give you an Idea of what can be achieved by lobbying governments please have a read though this document.
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb9ede001f5eed7/Pdf_queensland_cycle_strategy.pdf
This did take some time to evolve but it is already being implemented. (And it is working). It has taken input from hundreds or interested people and a co-operative government to acheive this.
If you enjoy your cycling maybe you could get the ball rolling where you live. You will find many allies in the cycling community. EVERYBODY BENEFITS
whats better....avanti blade series or giant crx series?
v22impossi
I currently have a giant peleton road bike and want to downgrade to a flat bar. Its to do a bit of excercise, brissie to bays, mall to malls. and pull a kids bike trailer behind. What do u recommend?
Answer
Both of these brands have a good selection in each range.
Giant released its 2008 range a fortnight ago so there are some 2007 models still available.
I doubt you would be unhappy with either brand. Giant offer women specific models in the crx 2 and crx4 models. The difference is shorter cranks wider saddle and shorter stem. (and colour) Avanti will probably do these changes also.
So here is what I would recommend.
Work out what component level you want. How far how often and the type of riding. (I went for the nexus 8 system for my wife Blade 8 or crx city.)
Work out your budget
Narrow down the selection to one or two models in each brand
Visit both dealers and play one against the other for best posible deal.
I found floor stock pretty terrible in flat bars. I was able to work out the right size though.(Yes I live in south east Queensland). If they happen to have the model that your after see if you can take it for a spin.
I recently when through the this exercise for my wife. she admits to being "hopeless with the gears" so we went with the nexus 8 speed hub. This is also a low maintanence rig. WE settled with the 2007 crx city pro after a toing and froing with the blade 8. Both where good bikes but the deal on the giant was just a little better.
Wife is out riding it at the moment. I should be out with her but the three month old is a bit young for the trailer yet.
Both of these brands have a good selection in each range.
Giant released its 2008 range a fortnight ago so there are some 2007 models still available.
I doubt you would be unhappy with either brand. Giant offer women specific models in the crx 2 and crx4 models. The difference is shorter cranks wider saddle and shorter stem. (and colour) Avanti will probably do these changes also.
So here is what I would recommend.
Work out what component level you want. How far how often and the type of riding. (I went for the nexus 8 system for my wife Blade 8 or crx city.)
Work out your budget
Narrow down the selection to one or two models in each brand
Visit both dealers and play one against the other for best posible deal.
I found floor stock pretty terrible in flat bars. I was able to work out the right size though.(Yes I live in south east Queensland). If they happen to have the model that your after see if you can take it for a spin.
I recently when through the this exercise for my wife. she admits to being "hopeless with the gears" so we went with the nexus 8 speed hub. This is also a low maintanence rig. WE settled with the 2007 crx city pro after a toing and froing with the blade 8. Both where good bikes but the deal on the giant was just a little better.
Wife is out riding it at the moment. I should be out with her but the three month old is a bit young for the trailer yet.
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