**TUNE IN to hear Caroline Samponaro of Transporation Alternatives LIVE on "Whole Living" with Terri Trespicio on Martha Stewart Living Radio THURS 5/20 at 10a E, 7a W on Sirius 112 / XM 157!**
My first bicycle arrived on Christmas when I was four. It was E.T.-themed.
My first reaction to the gift was relief (that it was red and not pink). The second reaction was curiosity about whether my bike was going to allow me to fly, like in the movies.
In fact, my bicycle did just that: empowered me to move untethered through the world and explore my neighborhood in a way I never had before. So began my love affair with the bicycle.
First, I used it just after school on my suburban Connecticut street and then eventually on the weekends for fitness and recreation. It wasn’t until I was a college student in New York City that I discovered that I could use my bike to get around, too.
Choosing my bicycle for transportation was transformative in those years—not just because I saved money. My bicycle also allowed me to find parts of my city I never knew existed and I quickly became enamored by how bicycling activated my senses and my mind in a way that sitting underground on the subway simply didn’t.
Year-Round, Full-Time Commuter
Ten years later, I’m a year-round bike commuter, and I now earn my living encouraging others to do the same.
So, here’s my hard sell on why bike commuting is simply the best:
- it’s cheap (you can save about $5,000 dollars a year)
- it’s fast (you’ll save at least ten minutes a day on your commute)
- it’s healthy (an average commute will burn about 440 calories) and last, but most certainly not least...
- it’s fun! (think of the many unexpected social interactions you will have along the way).
So, that’s why I ride and it’s why I hope you will be inspired to give bike commuting a try too.
This Friday, May 21st, is National Bike to Work Day! What a great excuse to dust of your wheels and take them for a spin.
In New York City, Transportation Alternatives will be handing out breakfast to bike commuters, and groups all across the country will be doing the same. I’ll be joining the crew from Whole Living at their bike-to-work pit stop (complete with bicycle-powered smoothie machine!). Call a friend and map your route. I promise it will be the best commute you’ve had all year. When you're done, pat yourself on the back for your zero carbon commute!
In the months ahead, I’ll be writing weekly about why everyone seems to be riding bikes for transportation these days, and what you can do to find freedom and joy on your bicycle too!
Caroline Samponaro is the Director of Bicycle Advocacy at Transportation Alternatives, an 8,000-member pro-bicycling non-profit founded in 1973. Caroline is one of the nation’s foremost advocates for cycling and has spearheaded New York City’s rapid transformation into a bicycle-friendly city. She lives in Brooklyn. Visit her at www.transalt.org and www.bikingrules.org.
From: Shaye Hester | 5/20/10 at 2:22 pm
Great article!
I look forward to reading and hearing more from Caroline.
I have three adult children and not one of them owns a car--that is pretty amazing to me since I have owned a car since I was a teenager. My son uses his bike to commute to work in Baltimore and when I suggested he might want to buy a car he said he preferred his bike because it was so much faster and cheaper.