Now that summer is winding down and we look to get back to our work and school routines, it’s a good opportunity to take a look at how we get there. Some drive their car; others take the commuter train or the bus, while some still commute by bike – including myself. While biking to Dedham Square or beyond, I like to enjoy the scenery, say hello to neighbors and rely less on costly and polluting fossil fuels.
Biking is the most energy efficient form of personal transportation - it’s also very fun! According to the Worldwatch Institute, “Energy used per passenger-mile (calories) is 1,860 for a car, while only 35 for a bike.” With over 30 percent of the American population being categorized as obese and most trips lasting 3 miles or less – riding a bike can help us become more active while contributing to cleaner air as a result of less tail-pipe emissions. It’s a win/win for our health and the environment.
The benefits of biking are bestowed upon those who commute for work or bike for pleasure. In Massachusetts there are several scenic bike paths that provide miles of gorgeous routes. There are also many organizations, which promote safe cycling and awareness and organize charity bike rides.
Some great resources for bicyclists can be found here
The Dedham Sustainability Advisory Committee: http://bit.ly/GreenDedham is getting ready to host a Bike Coalition meeting scheduled for this fall – stay tuned for more info.
The Dedham Open Space and Recreation Committee: http://www.taintorassociates.com/dedham/ is working on improving bike access in our community – check out the website for more info on how you can get involved.
- Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition: Dedicated to improving the conditions for bicyclists in Massachusetts, www.massbike.org.
- Bikes Belong Coalition: Mission is to put more people on bicycles often. We work to make bicycling better in America, www.bikesbelong.org.
- Boston Bikes: Part of Mayor Tom Menino’s vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens, www.cityofboston.gov/bikes.
- Boston Biker: A community for cyclists in Boston, : http://bostonbiker.org.
- Bikes not Bombs: Organization working for alternative transportation and community development, bikesnotbombs.org.
- Boston Bike Film Fest: Oct. 22-23, 2010 in Boston, www.bostonbikefilmfest.org.
- Livable Streets Initiative: Online community for people working to create sustainable cities through sensible urban planning, design, and transportation policy, www.livablestreets.com.
- National Center for Safe Routes to School: Offers a centralized resource of information on how to start and sustain a Safe Routes to School program, www.saferoutesinfo.org.
- MA Department of Conservation and Recreation: Bike paths and trails, www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/biking.htm.
- Pan-Mass Challenge: Paises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, www.pmc.org.
- Bike MS: Nation’s largest organized cycling event benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/raceMap.aspx.
Remember to ride safe by
- Wearing your helmet – head trauma is almost always irreversible
- Wearing reflective clothing and/or blinking lights for visibility, especially at night
- Using hand signals to notify other motorists and pedestrians
- Not wearing headphones – listening to oncoming traffic
Finally, don’t forget enjoy the ride knowing that by biking you are reducing oil consumption and your waistline.
