Bicycling is good for your health, it’s good for the environment, and it’s a good time. In May, communities and organizations will be advocating for people to dust off their bikes and get on the road. May is National Bike Month and a perfect time to get moving.
National Bike Month began in 1956, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. The idea is to showcase the benefits of biking to get more people out there pedaling. With bicycling becoming more popular as a form of recreation and a way to travel, now is a great time to take up the hobby.
Biking Growing in Popularity and Safety
From 2001 to 2009, the number of bicycle trips made by Americans more than doubled, from 1.7 billion to 4 billion, according to BikeLeague.org. Many cyclists prefer to bicycle to work rather than take a car or public transportation.
From 2000 to 2011, commuters choosing bicycles over cars or public transport increased 80 percent in areas designated as Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFCs). Across the nation, throughout all communities, bicycle commuters grew 47 percent.
BFC’s are designated as such for a variety of reasons. Under the Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) program, the League of American Bicyclists is helping communities reach this designation and assisting cyclists in becoming safe while riding around town.
The BFA rankings measure states on laws and the number of bicycle friendly laws and regulations, businesses, communities, and universities. Both New Jersey and New York are in the midst of a changing bicycle culture, however, where cyclists are not only respected but protected by laws, bike lanes, and more.
The League of American Bicyclists ranked New Jersey 7th as a bicycle friendly state, despite the state having a high number of fatal bicycle accidents. Fourteen bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in New Jersey in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. New York ranked 43rd among states, making it among the least friendly states to bicycle riders. The League said New York needs to include bicycle safety as a priority in the state strategic highway plan and aggressively fund bike safety projects.
Transportation Alternatives Advocates for Greater Bicycle Safety
There are numerous organizations that work to keep bicyclists safe in the area. Transportation Alternatives is one of the most vocal and well-known. They are credited with helping NYC get a system of bike lanes. They also helped bring a bike share program to the city.
During the week of May 12-16, Transportation Alternatives is sponsoring a “Bike to Work Challenge”, pitting companies against one another to see whose employees can put the most commuter miles on their bikes during National Bike Month.
While there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with cycling advocacy in and around the city, you don’t have to. Simply riding safely in your community sends a message that you care about bicyclist’s rights and safety.
The NHTSA reports 677 cyclists were killed in auto accidents in 2011, accounting for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities. Though you cannot control drivers’ behaviors when you are riding your bicycle, you can take steps to keep yourself safe.
- Wear a helmet
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Use arm signals for turning and merging
- Exercise proper biking etiquette
- Always look multiple times for oncoming vehicles
- Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you
- Follow all the rules of the road
- Use lights and reflective clothing when riding at night
National Bike Month is a chance to get out and remember the joy of riding your bike. It’s also a chance to consider riding for more than just recreation and good health, and to think about keeping all cyclists safe and reducing the rate of bike accidents on our roads.