Taming the Bike Commute Beast (Part Deux)

Taming The Commute Beast
Mike Wallenfels, CEO of Timbuk2

My Commute(s)
Larkspur To SFO
Novato to SFO

Why?
Or….Why Not?

The Numbers
People who commute by single-occupancy motor vehicle: 91,064,400 (77.7%)
People whose commute is 1-5 miles each way: 33,988,000 (29%)
People whose commute is 10 miles or less each way: 59,772,000 (51%)
America's cars and trucks consume 10% of world's oil supply [League of American Bicyclists ]

The Numbers
New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting. [Bicycling Magazine]
Who’s Commuting Around The World?
Japan 15% of commuters bicycle to work
Netherlands 50% of commuters bicycle
China 77% commute by bike
Only 1.6% of U.S. commuters bicycle to work…
48% increase nationally in bicycle commuting since 2000!

Fitness
Make it part of your routine!

2 Fitness “Perspectives”
My Old View
My New View

Fitness Facts
Larkspur to SFO
Distance: 37.62
Time: 2hr 44 min
Speed: 14 mi/hr
Calories: 2142
Distance: 20.23 mi
Time: 1hr 37min
Speed: 12.94 mi/hr
Calories: 1272
Novato to SFO
Make your commute part of your fitness routine
Use training device to track progress…one ride at a time

Training Apps

Save The Planet
Any Car Off The Road Is A Good Thing!

Save The PlanetOne ride at a time…
Over a year….
110 Gallons of gas
2124 lbs of CO2
Carbon sequestered by 23.5 tree seedlings grown for 10 years
Undetermined reduced anxiety!

Money
Facts that help the cause!

Car Commute
Bike Commute
Drive - 72 miles round trip
Gas/day: $13.92 (National Avg. 18 mpg at $3.48/gallon)
Bridge: $6 (Fastrack)
Total:
$18.92 / day
$94.60 / week
$4,540 / year (48 wks)
Bike – Bus combo
Bus return home: $5.35
Total: $5.35 / day
Savings = $13.57 / day
Drive – Bike – Ferry combo
28 miles round trip
Gas/day: $5.41
Ferry: $7.85
Total: $13.26 / day
Saving = $5.66 / day
100 days/year = $560 to $1,300

Getting Started
Getting Started

Planning Your Ride
How many miles and when
Allow for time and set goals
Commute to work, from work, or both
Choose your route
Ask questions and plan
Use Resources: SFBC, Bike groups, Google, and friends
Whatcha do when you get there?
Change Clothes – Carry or keep at work
Washing or just don’t sweat!
Combine with Public Transportation
Look for public transportation options

Using Public Transportation

Choose Your Route
City and Bike Lanes
Streets and Bike Paths

Who Commutes?
Broad range of ages
65% are over 36

How Do They Commute?
Types of bike used
Duration of commute
Frequency and traffic

What Stops Us?
Safety
Perception and reality?
Weather
Infrastructure
Darkness

Traffic Safety
Keep alert at intersections
Cars don’t see you
Lights help!

Intersection Safety and Night
More lights the better
Brighter the better
Be AWARE

Gear You Need
It’s fun to buy stuff

What To Bring
Keep it simple
Bike Necessities
Lights: front and back
Pump, tube, and tools
Clothes
Cold, Rain, Hot
Work Necessities
Keep to a minimum or keep at work
Washing / Hygiene
Work stuff…only what you have to bring home

Tips and Tricks
What I Learned

Keeping Motivated
Plan: Schedule your week ahead AND create a rhythm.
Start Small: Once a month > once a week > twice a week > every day
Find a Partner: Coworker or friend.
Prepare: Night before check your bike, pack clothes, and commit!
Check Weather: Fair or foul? Dress appropriately.

Weather Apps

The Bike
Fits your style of riding:
Road, flat bar, cruiser, multi speed, single speed, or anything comfortable.
Sturdy and less “theft worthy”
Tires matter…a flat ruins your commute!
Easy to shift or don’t shift at all.
Brings out your personality.
Easy to maintain or get it maintained!
Learn how to fix tires and keep it running.

The Bag
On Body Pack or Messenger
On Bike Pannier

Resources
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
Bay Area Bicycle Coalition
Bike To Work Day May 12th

Thank You SFBC!
Questions??

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Taming the Bike Commute Beast (Part Deux)

by Lizzy Fallows on May 19, 2011

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Taming the Bike Commute Beast (Part Deux) — Presentation Transcript