An Employee's Guide to Bicycle Commuting:
"It's Cycle-Logical"

 
Reasons to Bike to Work

• Good for Your Health - Bicycling is one of the best forms of exercise combining a good aerobic workout with low-impact exercise.

• Good for Your Wallet - AAA reports it costs over $5,000 per year to own and operate a car compared to $120 per year to own and maintain a bicycle.

• Good for your Schedule - Combine your commute with your workout. Biking can get you there nearly as fast as driving for many local trips.

• Good for the Environment - Bicycles are as true a "no emissions" vehicle as there is. Bicycling produces no air or water pollution.

• It's FUN!!!

 
Ingredients for Comfortable Bike Commuting

• Make sure your bicycle is in good working order. Take it to a bike shop annually for a tune-up.

• Wear bright & comfortable clothing (no loose straps or laces to get caught in moving parts).

• Pick a safe & comfortable route to bicycle.

• Identify bicycle parking options at work that are secure and sheltered.

• Locate changing and shower facilities in or near your workplace (if none are known, locate the nearest school or health club or ask for an installation).

 
Other Suggestions

• Wear as comfortable and casual clothing as workplace permits.

• Ride with others in your neighborhood. Like carpooling it can be fun to cruise in with someone else - invite a new cyclist to join you!

• Organize a Bicycle User Group (BUG) with other cyclists at work to advise and suggest specific improvements (e.g. changing/shower facilities, adequate bike parking, incentives).

• Work with local government to provide more bike lanes and other improvements to enhance bicycle access to workplace.

• Take a Bicycle Driving Course (see below)

 
Bicycle Driving Courses

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine helps coordinate adult bicycle driving courses to help anyone wanting to become comfortable cycling on the road with traffic. Included in the 9-hour course are the principles of vehicular cycling, bicycle selection and fit, helmet use, basic bike handling skills, traffic rules and responsibilities, and minor maintenance skills. There is a combination of 1/2 classroom time and 1/2 on-bike instruction, including roadway riding. Multi-speed bikes and helmets are required. Minimum age is 16 (13- 15-year-olds accepted with parent).

 
Materials & Resources Available

• Bicycle Parking Guidelines & Recommendations
• Bike to Work Guide for Employers
• Bike Commuting Books
• How to Bike in the Winter

 
Interesting & Miscellaneous Facts

• Energy Efficiency - Bicycles are the most efficient vehicles ever invented. If you translated the energy in gas to food a bicyclist can travel 1,500 miles per gallon! Obviously the fuels needed for cycling can be locally grown and are far less toxic.

• The Maine Environmental Priorities Project reports that between 1980 and 1990 Maine's population grew by only 6% but vehicle miles traveled increased by 90%! The issues of sprawl, land use planning, and environmental destruction are closely linked to our heavy dependence on automobiles.