Maryland Planning Blog

Bike2Work Day 2014 bit.ly/b2w-soc

In 1956, The League of American Bicyclists, then known as the League of American Wheelmen, proclaimed May as National Bike Month. In the mid-20^th century, the League was working to raise awareness and advocate for bicycling. At that time, their main office was located in Baltimore and although national in scope, their mid-20^th century advocacy held a resemblance to today’s Bikemore or Bike Maryland.

Since then, bicycling advocacy has not flagged. In fact, in recent years, cycling has started to gain speed. Granted, the trend is largely manifested as impressive statistics, but this measurable legitimacy could only be imagined by the original League of American Wheelmen.

The League has since moved from Baltimore to Washington D.C. (also with headquarters in their original hometown of Newport, RI) to focus on federal advocacy. Groups such as Bikemore have stepped up to fill the local advocate role. And quite frankly it is a role that needs to be filled, as bicycling numbers are far from dominant.

2012 ACS Census Data showed that less than 1 percent of workers commuted by bicycle (0.6 percent). Correspondingly this data showed 76 percent of all workers who worked outside of the home drove to work alone and this has actually increased since 1990 when the same measure was at 72 percent.

Baltimore Bikeshare at the Inner Harbor

Yet, within that 0.6 percent of bicycle commuters in 2012, we dig and find some encouraging nuggets. In fact, that 0.6 percent in 2012 represented nearly a 10 percent increase from 2011. Moreover since 2000, the ACS data have shown a 61.6 percent increase in bicycle commuting. Since we know those who have chosen four wheels aren’t routinely ditching their rides for two wheels, where are these new cyclists arising? The most notable increases are within young riders (especially those aged 20-24) and women. Growth in bike commuting among women has increased by 10.9 percent from 2011, while for men the increase has been 8.4 percent.

So where does this leave us? Bicyclists still represent the glamorous “one percent” within the commuting hierarchy. Indeed, it is a long haul, not a revolution.

As we find ourselves in the midst of National Bike Month, an easy way to jump into the tide is with Bike to Work Day (B2WD). B2WD is a national effort to get workers to feel how bicycling can be beneficial for not just recreation but transportation. It requires only a small commitment, yet yields a large reward. It is only one day and won’t awaken a paradigm shift in US commuting patterns. But there is evidence that it works.

In 2010, the League of American Bicyclists reported that 43 U.S. cities officially participated in a B2WD, with event participation rates ranging from 75 to 17,093 riders. And although the number of published studies regarding B2WD is still in the handful range at best, initial results are encouraging.

A study was presented by Portland State researchers in January that examined the effects of B2WD in the city of Boulder, Colorado. (Boulder has proclaimed active participation in B2WD events since 1977 and has collected detailed bicycle counts on B2WD since 1999). The study sought to investigate the impact that B2WD had on replacing vehicular traffic with bicycle traffic in Boulder. The study analyzed five years of bike count data from B2WDs versus non-B2WD days in spring and found that “bike counts roughly doubled on bike to work days.” In fact, in 16 of 19 locations counted, the differences were statistically significant and within an 80 percent confidence interval.

Although a survey by the Denver Regional Council of Governments in 2011 showed that 70 percent of participants in B2WD drive alone when not commuting by bike, there is little doubt that the experience of biking even once raises awareness. It should be noted that a goal of B2WD has been to encourage existing bike commuters to bike more often and there is evidence that B2WD has indeed accomplished this.

Bike rack on the front of Baltimore MTA bus

Here in Maryland, Baltimore, Bethesda, Frederick and Rockville are four of the 291 communities in the U.S. designated “Bicycle-Friendly Communities” or BFCs by the League of American Bicyclists. These communities are active in “providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and encouraging residents to bike for transportation and recreation.” From 2000 to 2011, bicycle commuting rates increased by 80 percent in BFC’s compared to 32 percent in non-BFC’s. Although the U.S. Census Bureau has dubbed Maryland a “Mega Commuter” state with the second highest rate of commutes 60 minutes or longer, these four BFC designations join with excellent grassroots cycling organizations and the Governor’s Cycle Maryland Initiative to evidence a wellspring of support for bicycling in our state.

On Friday, May 16, Marylanders looking to support the bike-to-work movement and feel the benefits of 2-wheel commuting are encouraged to take part in Bike to Work Day.  Although registration is not required, it is free to do so and helps with official counts. If you register in the Baltimore region, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council is working to provide swag for participants. So register if you can but most importantly – ride!

And if you are strongly within the camp that “one day is not enough,” take heed that State employees have banded together to encourage bike commuting on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month – dubbed 2 Wheel Tuesday (#2WTuesday), this movement will be sending out info shortly after this B2WD!

More Info & registration: bit.ly/b2w-md

Also on Tuesday, May 13: MDP is hosting a workshop “Bike Commuter Workshop @ State Center ” by BikeMaryland. Register today: bit.ly/b2w-soc

Follow:

#B2WD & #B2WD

#B2WD2014 & #B2WD2014

#B2Wbmore​ & #B2Wbmore