Why Commute By Bicycle?
Traffic and parking
Who hasn’t been stuck in a miserable traffic jam trying to come into or leave downtown Providence? And, unless you rent a parking space by the month, it is likely that you’ve experienced the frustration of circling like a shark in the hopes of finding a place to leave your car. Bicycle commuting can help alleviate traffic and parking problems downtown. When you commute by bicycle you’ll be free of traffic and parking woes. And you’ll be making things easier for that nice old lady who just needs to pop downtown for a minute to pick up her new eyeglasses.
Financial savings
It costs over $3,000 a year to own, operate and maintain a motor vehicle! Paying for gas, parking and regular oil changes really adds up. On the other hand bicycle commuting is practically free. You’ll probably need a yearly tune-up for about $50. If you’re in the market for a bicycle, keep in mind that you don’t have to drop a lot of money on a fancy new bicycle. Top of the line bicycles are great for racing or taking on tough mountain trails. Be realistic about what you’ll be using your bike for and exactly what kind of bike you’ll need.
Personal Health and Wellness
Surveys show must of us don’t get enough exercise. It can be tough to squeeze in a workout at the end of a long day when you find yourself exhausted with a to-do list a mile long. We all know the benefits of regular exercise that range from weight control to disease prevention to an improved sense of relaxation and well being. Bicycle commuting is one way to work exercise into your daily routine. Instead of sitting in a car, you’re pedaling across town on your own power, getting a low-impact cardiovascular workout while your colleagues are just stuck in traffic.
If you’re concerned that you’re not in shape enough to begin commuting by bicycle consider driving part way to work and parking at a park and ride center or alternating bicycling one way and taking the bus the other way. You’ll be in shape in no time!
Bicycle commuting can also eliminate the stress felt while sitting in traffic. You’ll feel more relaxed and refreshed in the morning ready to make a great start. And in the evenings bicycling home will provide you with some needed personal time to unwind before facing family or roommates.
A cleaner environment
Last summer Providence had 10 ozone alert days, when air quality was so poor that people were asked not to drive their cars to work and buses were free. The pollution that cars produce causes ground level ozone or smog. Smog can cause burning eyes, make it difficult to breathe or even trigger asthma attacks.
Bicycle commuting helps by cutting down on the number of trips made by cars and therefore the amount of pollution released from cars coming downtown.
Fun
Even though this may be obvious, a big benefit of bicycle commuting is that it is fun! Riding your bike to work can make you feel like a kid again. Pretty soon you’ll be chasing the ice cream truck down the street and talking during class.