Bike commuting rates hold steady

Defying predictions that many bike commuters would go back to driving after sky-high gas prices fell in 2009, the League of American Bicyclists reports that

Defying predictions that many bike commuters would go back to driving after sky-high gas prices fell in 2009, the League of American Bicyclists reports that bike commuting rates in the U.S. held steady at 0.55 percent overall.

Among the 70 largest U.S. cities, bike commuting rates rose 9% from 2008 to 2009. The biggest overall gain - 28% - came from the 39 cities that have not sought the League's Bicycle Friendly Community designation. There was a 1% increase in the 31 BFC cities, where bike commuting rates are already as much as four times greater than in other cities. In San Francisco and Oakland, the two California cities ranked among the nation's top-10 bike commuting cities, the percentage of people riding to work jumped 10% and 18% respectively from 2008 to 2009.

Among the 70 largest U.S. cities, bike commuting rates rose 9% from 2008 to 2009. The biggest overall gain - 28% - came from the 39 cities that have not sought the League's Bicycle Friendly Community designation. There was a 1% increase in the 31 BFC cities, where bike commuting rates are already as much as four times greater than in other cities. In San Francisco and Oakland, the two California cities ranked among the nation's top-10 bike commuting cities, the percentage of people riding to work jumped 10% and 18% respectively from 2008 to 2009.

The League's report, just out this week, also explains why census and other survey tools typically undercount the number of people who commute by bicycle.



Rails-to-Trails challenges AAA's call for funding cuts



The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is



In an editorial, Don Gagnon, president and CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, blamed the $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall on federal investments that have helped build 19,000 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and sidewalks across the U.S. Instead, Gagnon proposed directing the total amount spent on those projects - less than $1 billion - back into federal highway system. Earlier this year AAA Mid-Atlantic denounced the installation of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is rallying bicycling and walking advocates to challenge AAA's call this summer to redirect federal funding for biking and walking facilities back into the federal highway system.In an editorial, Don Gagnon, president and CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, blamed the $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall on federal investments that have helped build 19,000 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and sidewalks across the U.S. Instead, Gagnon proposed directing the total amount spent on those projects - less than $1 billion - back into federal highway system. Earlier this year AAA Mid-Atlantic denounced the installation of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C.

has called on AAA for an explanation and also circulated a petition urging AAA to step back from its position.



Gen Y + cell phones = less driving? Rails-to-Trails has called on AAA for an explanation and also circulated a petition urging AAA to step back from its position.

This month a New York Times green transportation blogger floated an intriguing idea:



PHOTO CREDITS: (top) San Francisco Chronicle, (above) Lendingtree.com This month a New York Times green transportation blogger floated an intriguing idea: Could the decline in miles driven by the under-30 Generation Y reflect the growing influence of cell phone technology? Congregating physically with the help of a car may not be so important in an age when nearly continual social contact is possible via text messaging and cell phone, writes Jim Motavalli. Greater concern for the environmental costs and financial challenges of driving may also explain the decline in driving and car ownership among Americans under 30.