Long before the convenience of cars and public transportation, Americans used alternate ways of getting around town. Somewhere between horses and segways, bicycles were the preferred form of commuting. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that bikes outsold cars back in 1972.
Biking has a lot more history than you might think. A group of bicycle enthusiasts traces its start back to 1880. Today, they’re known as the League of American Bicyclists. In 1956, the League dedicated May as National Bike Month. This week is officially recognized as National Bike Week, with this Friday being heralded as Bike to Work Day in the Washington, D.C. area, including Herndon.
Besides the obvious health benefit of biking to your destination instead of sitting on your backside, riding can really pay off. According to the League of American Bicyclists, it costs just $155 a year to maintain a bike. Now, dig out all of your car maintenance records and gas receipts, do the math and see how much you would save.
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If you live too far to commute to work daily, it’s possible to bike to the closest public transportation spot, like a bus or metro stop. You can chain your bike or bring it a long with you, to your final destination. And if those savings don’t entice you, there is even a Bike Commuter Tax Benefit you can look into.
So you know biking is good for your waistline and wallet, but don’t forget about the environment. With fewer cars on the road, there are fewer emissions leaked into the air. The President signed an Executive Order 2009 that encouraged Federal Agencies to keep greenhouse gas emissions at certain levels. In response, these same Agencies encourage employees to find other ways to get to work, including using bikes.
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If over time, the majority of us chose a bike over a car when commuting, we can reduce the need for more major highways; in turn preserving the forests that would be destroyed in the path of construction.
Whether you’re biking to work on Friday or at least considering digging it out from the garage, make sure you take certain precautions when hitting the road. Wear reflective clothing at dawn, dusk, and night. If you ride during the day, you can’t go wrong wearing a safety vest as an added precaution. Make sure you wear your helmet. Other safety pieces like elbow and knee pads aren’t a bad idea, especially if you travel a busy road.
Before attempting your commute this Friday, make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules of road. You still have to obey some basic traffic laws, even if you are giving up your car. Plus, knowing how to signal to drivers will keep you safer.
If you signed up for Bike to Work Day through the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Friday should be just as much a social event as a health conscious commute. There are 49 pit stops across the region this year, offering food and beverages, speakers and chances to win prizes.
Herndon’s pit stop will be held from 5:30 to 10 a.m. on May 20 and will be at the Town Green near the intersection of Elden and Lynn streets, right off the W&OD Trail. If you need more information, you can check out the Washington Area site here.