This post was written by John Mitchell, MPC research assistant
What better way to celebrate the recent return of spring than trading in those four wheels and congested commutes for two wheels and fresh air as part of today’s national “Bike-to-Work Day?”
In addition to being an environmental friendly and less expensive way to commute, biking is generally quicker (for trips less than 3 miles) or just as fast (for trips of 3-7 miles) as commuting by car. Plus, unlike sedentary transportation, biking is great exercise. For an average 10 mile round-trip bike commute, a 180 lb man burns 400 calories and a 130 lb woman burns 300.
Did today’s event come a bit too quick to put air in those unused bike tires?
If so, there is still plenty of time to prepare and plan for Chicago’s own Bike-to-Work Week, June 12-18, sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance. During the week, commuter stations throughout Chicago will be placed at major corridors (like the Polish Triangle on June 16) and Metra stations at which bike commuters may take advantage of free tire air, chain lube and complimentary coffee. If you haven’t already, Bike-to-Work Week may be an ideal time to discover why Chicago is considered one of the 10 best American cities for biking.
Interested in learning more about bicycling in Chicago? In April, MPC hosted Talking the Walk, a roundtable that explored the importance of pedestrian – and bicycle – friendly public spaces. A full recording of the Talking the Walk panel discussion is available on Chicago Amplified, or you can catch the roundtable on CAN TV at the following times: Sunday, May 23, at 2:30 pm on Channel 21, Thursday, May 27th, 9:00 am on Channel 19, or Thursday, June 3rd, 12:30 pm on Channel 21.
To learn more about Placemaking Chicago, please contact project manager Karin Sommer at 312.863.6044 or ksommer@metroplanning.org.