Urban Cyclists Are on Their Way to Replacing Drivers
In many American cities, when a motorist spots a cyclist sharing the road with them, they might jump to the conclusion that it's some unruly kid recklessly disrupting the flow of traffic. But a disdain of urban cyclists is morphing into acceptance. Just as more and more people choose their cell phones over landlines, the likelihood of urban dwellers relying on bicycles instead of cars for transportation is increasing.
Bike Messengers Make Way
Back in the olden days, it was reasonable to assume that anybody who rode a bike that zig-zagged through city traffic was a speeding bike messenger. Nowadays, an urban bike rider is more likely someone cycling to their job, a hipster speeding toward a coffee shop, or just someone headed out to get some exercise.
This new breed of urban cyclist shows respect for drivers alongside them by following accepted traffic rules and remaining within the law.
Bikes provide a cheap mode of transportation. The trend toward sustainable practices, as well as long automobile commute times during peak hours of traffic, lack of convenient parking, and the unavailability or inconvenience of mass transit have encouraged urban denizens to embrace cycling.
Need For Lightweight Gear
As more people pick-up cycling for their everyday commuting, the need for ultra-lightweight gear is rising. The Tour de Fierce Ultralight Cycling Wallet is the perfect solution. It’s weatherproof, super lightweight, eco-friendly and securely holds everything you’ll need—plus a little bit more. It's been called the perfect cycling wallet for your essentials.
FACT: The wallet is made entirely from deadstock—specifically, unused material left over at the factory by bigger clients who overestimated the amount required for production.
Not Just a Fad
The Alliance for Biking and Walking points out that in the seventy largest American cities--including San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington DC--bike use is up 63 percent, and continues to grow.
Major American cities are modifying their transportation infrastructures to accommodate bike riders. In 2005, America Bikes spawned the National Complete Streets Coalition, which advocates, at state and local levels, safety for all types of people that use streets, be they bike riders, car drivers, or pedestrians.
Sharing The Wealth
Numerous cities in the United States have launched bike sharing programs. Tax dollars fund most of these programs, which predictably leads to complaints from reactionaries. But the overwhelming majority of people living in communities that offer such services tend to rave about them.
United States bicycle sharing programs have largely flourished around major cities and universities. But smaller cities and towns are catching on to the trend and implementing their own bicycle-sharing programs.
Clear Path
There's a multitude of tangible and compelling reasons to ride instead of drive. After examining the alternatives, a driver may choose a hybrid routine of both driving and cycling.
Bicyclists are quickly chipping away at America's dominant car culture. Municipalities and individuals alike are motivated to put a substantial dent in America's reliance on fossil fuel, while building eco-friendly urban transportation infrastructure. Bicycling represents a plausible way to achieve those goals.
Photos: Coen Van de Broek, Roman Bozhko and Michael Higgins
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