FABB Blog

Dear Supervisor Cook,

As Chairman of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling and a bicycle commuter since moving to Reston in 1979, I'd like to share some statistics regarding non-motorized transportation. While bicycling for transportation is not for everyone, many, many people choose to go by bike in Fairfax, even though our roads are primarily designed for cars. Here are some figures to consider when discussing this mode of transportation:

• More bicycles are sold in the U.S. each year (approx. 2.6 million) than cars (approx. 2.5 million).


• According to the 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors, About 27.3% of the driving age public (age 16 or older) reported they rode a bicycle at least once during the summer of 2002. Yes, many rode for recreation (26%) or exercise or health reasons (24%), but even those people likely started from home, riding on a street. In Fairfax this is about 200,000 people.


• According to the Bureau of Census, 0.55 percent of Americans use a bicycle as the primary means of getting to work (not including those who rode to work less than 5 days a week). This is up 14 percent since 2007, 36 percent since 2005, and 43 percent since the 2000 Census. In places in the U.S. with good bicycle infrastructure, this mode share is around 6%. In Copenhagen, a cold, wet place much of the year, approximately 35% of workers bicycle to work. The city wants that to reach 50% by 2015. 54% of cyclists say they bike because it’s easy and fast.


• According to a new report entitled Bicycling And Walking In The United States 2010 Benchmarking Report published by the Alliance for Biking and Walking, Virginia ranks 50th in per capita spending on bicycling and walking.


• In 1969, 42 percent of students between the ages of 6 and 12 walked or bicycled to or from school. In 2001, that number was 16 percent of students. Many of our kids are overweight or obese, in part because they are not encouraged to walk or bike and they have inadequate facilities.

I agree that a small number of people bike to work. Many more could if the county provided places for them to ride, educated them in how to ride, and generally encouraged this mode of transportation.

I don't want to exaggerate your comments. I assume you know that some people use bicycles for transportation, and you were likely noting that it's not always an easy thing to do and not appropriate for many people. Bicycling is a small mode share. However, I think most people would like this to change. We think that in communities where bicyclists are welcome, they indicate the existence of quieter, safer streets that are for everyone, not just motorists.

Sincerely,

Bruce Wright
Chairman, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling