Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Bicycle Commuter Benefit — Use It Now!
From our friends at The League of American Bicyclists:
The recently signed-into-law Tax Cut and Jobs Act suspends the Bicycle Commuter Benefit from 12/31/2017 until 1/1/2026. If your employer currently offers the Bicycle Commuter Benefit, the safest thing to do is to submit all documentation and pay out all reimbursements by December 31 2017.
In addition to suspending the benefit, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act eliminates the ability of employers to deduct the cost of providing subsidized commuting to employees, reducing the employer’s taxable income, as part of cutting the business tax rate from 35% to 21%.
Sadly, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act did not:
- Do anything to expand the availability of commuter benefits – which are currently 7 times more likely to be offered to workers in the highest 10% of income than workers in the lowest 10% on income;
- Do anything to provide incentives to modes of transportation that reduce congestion, such as walking, biking, telework, or carpooling; and
- Do anything that affects employees who put their pre-tax earnings towards a commuter benefit.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Act Now! - Bike Commuter Tax Benefits
The League of American Bicyclists is asking riders in select states to contact their Senators about the latest legislative attack on the limited support provided to bicycling as part of the country’s transportation options.
The Senate tax reform plan, released last Thursday, eliminates the bike commuter benefit while keeping commuter benefits for driving and riding transit. The Senate Finance committee plans to vote starting on Monday, November 13, and an amendment is needed to reinstate the bike benefit.
Two local senators, Mark Warner (D-VA) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), are on the Finance Committee and can take action to reinstate the bike benefit.
The League is asking Virginia and Maryland bicyclists to reach out to their Senator this weekend. Ask your Senator to reinstate the bike commuter benefit because:
- If Congress is going to offer commuter benefits to some commuters, they should offer them to all commuters.
- Commuter benefits cost over $8.6 billion each year.
- If every bike commuter in the United States used the bike commuter benefit it would cost less than 2.5% of that amount.
- Eliminating the bike benefit alone does not significantly address revenue lost to commuter benefits.
- The bike commuter benefit is a low cost way to promote healthier, livable communities.
- The average consumer spends over $4,500 each year on gas and other vehicle expenses.
- The average cost of bike commuting is $350 per year. The bicycle commuter benefit covers up to $240 each year to defray costs of purchase, maintenance, and improvements for commuter bicycles.
Please support the reinstatement of the bicycling commuter benefit in the tax reform bill. The bike commuter benefit is a low cost provision that supports commuter choices and improves communities. Bicycling commuting is growing across the country and those commuters should receive equitable benefits to other commuting modes.
Send Senator Mark Warner a message at his website: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Monday, September 4, 2017
Cross County Trail Report: Some TLC Needed
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| 1. Bridge |
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| 2. Root Damage |
In the next .10 mile, the path goes from gravel to paved to this kind of mixture (Photo 3). These sharp edges are dangerous for bike tires and people who are mobility-impaired.
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| 3. Mixed Path |
There were also dangerous posts at the trail entrances (Photo 4). They are perfectly positioned to stop car traffic from entering, but they are also dark without any reflective qualities. In low light conditions, they are extremely dangerous to trail users.
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| 4. Entrance Post |
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| The CCT can be better. |
The CCT, however, is entirely within the Fairfax County Park Authority’s purview. A good first step toward addressing some of these problems might be to form a “Friends of the CCT” group to provide continuity and a plan for maintenance and care. In its present state, however, there are many places where biking on the road is preferable to the trail.
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| 5. Bridge |
Labels: @bikefairfax, bike commuting, cross county trail, fcpa, safety
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Bike Commuters Are More Energized and Punctual
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| Bike to Work Day Cyclist Photo: Peter Klosky |
A study done at McGill University shows bike commuters, at least in Montreal which has an excellent cycle track network, are more energized and punctual than users of other travel modes.
Highlights of the study:
- An individual’s commute has an impact on his or her energy at work.
- Drivers have the lowest odds of feeling energized at work.
- Bus riders have the highest odds of arriving late at work.
- Waiting time for transit users influences their odds of being punctual.
- Cyclists have the highest odds of being energized and punctual.
See the story in Next City, Montreal Cyclists Say a Bike Commute Is the Best Way to Go:
Add this to the list of reasons cities might consider designing for and promoting bicycle commuting: Compared to other travel modes, cyclists have the greatest odds of showing up to work or school energized and punctual. That’s according to data from a 2013 survey at McGill University, which researchers used to compare the punctuality and energy level at work of students, staff and faculty who commute by bus, car or bike.
They also found that drivers self-report feeling the least energized when arriving at the Montreal, Canada, university and are most likely to say their commute negatively impacts their punctuality and attendance. Transit riders are next most likely to feel drained and delayed by their commute, with walkers falling between cyclists and transit riders.
They also found that drivers self-report feeling the least energized when arriving at the Montreal, Canada, university and are most likely to say their commute negatively impacts their punctuality and attendance. Transit riders are next most likely to feel drained and delayed by their commute, with walkers falling between cyclists and transit riders.
Labels: bike commuting, mcgill university, montreal
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Cyclist Commuters: On Time and Feeling Good
Check out this CityLab article by Andrew Small on the results of a recently released Canadian study that looked at multiple transportation options to determine what kind of commuters are more likely to feel energized and arrive on time. Needless to say, the virtues of bicycling commuting stand out.
The study by McGill University’s Charis Loong, Dea van Lierop, and Ahmed El-Geneidy analyzed the commuting patterns of the students, staff, and faculty at the school located in downtown Montreal, surveying 5,599 people at the campus in 2013. The survey asked participants how they commuted to campus—walking, cycling, driving, or taking public transit—and paired those patterns with their responses of feeling energized and whether their commute negatively impacted their punctuality.
And the results:
- Active forms of transportation leave people feeling energized.
- People-powered commutes tend to be more punctual.
The study found that multiple factors affected commuters’ punctuality and energy level, including the travel time, comfort, safety, consistency and reliability associated with the various transportation infrastructures. FABB continues to advocate for better infrastructure to improve the consistency, reliability, and safety of bicycling facilities to enable riders of all ages to bike in comfort and with confidence.
Labels: bike commuting
Monday, December 12, 2016
Vancouver’s Shining Example
Check out this CityLab article on Vancouver’s success in nudging drivers out of cars. The city now reports that fully 10 percent of commutes to work in Vancouver are on bikes, a figure that far exceeds results of all other U.S. and Canadian cities of comparable size. By last year half of all trips within Vancouver’s city limits were taken on bike, foot, or transit—a goal the city had hoped to reach by 2020. The article includes a roughly 8-minute video that covers Vancouver’s “active transit” success and shows how the city managed to avoid the planning pitfalls that harm so many other cities’ efforts.
Labels: bicycle planning, bike commuting
Sunday, October 23, 2016
The More You Know - Biking is Better
What a surprise to see Al Roker of the Today Show promoting biking in a short 14-second TV ad during Meet the Press this morning. "[Drawing of a car] This costs you money and runs on gas. [Drawing of a bike] This saves you money and runs on calories. Save the car for rainy days and long road trips. Biking is better for your body and your budget."The ad is part of The More You Know campaign sponsored by NBC Universal "focused on education, diversity, health, civic engagement and the environment." Kudos to Al and NBC Universal for airing the ad.
From The More You Know TV Spot, 'Biking is Better' Featuring Al Roker
"America's favorite meteorologist Al Roker and The More You Know campaign want to remind you that biking is better. Biking instead of driving can help improve your body and your budget. Leave cars for road trips and rainy days and opt for a bike to burn calories, not gas."
I googled Al Roker Biking and discovered that Al is a bike commuter. He rides a Brompton folding bike 4 miles to work each day. He even ignores his advice about above about saving the car for rainy days; in this Youtube video from a Weather Channel interview it looks like he is biking in the rain. You go Al!Labels: al roker, bike commuting, brompton, the more you know
Monday, July 11, 2016
Bike Wins SafeTrack Surge Commuting Test
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| Photo courtesy of The Washington Post. |
Dr. Gridlock took Metro trains and buses while a second colleague planned to use a combination of Metro and slugging to get from Franconia-Springfield to The Washington Post offices on K Street. A third associate biked the Mt. Vernon trail from King Street, Alexandria, to the Post. On a normal day, each of the planned commutes should take about 45 minutes.
This won’t surprise FABB members, but the biker got to work first, arriving in just over 42 minutes after enjoying a scenic ride. The commuter who planned to catch a ride in a slug line discovered that there were no cars offering rides at the newly established location. He ended up taking the Fairfax Connector express shuttle to Pentagon and then rode a crowded Metro to McPherson Square. But, he made his commute in 46 minutes. Dr. Gridlock relied on the Metro and the provided shuttle bus between stations, and, well, he arrived at his office in 90 minutes.
This won’t surprise FABB members, but the biker got to work first, arriving in just over 42 minutes after enjoying a scenic ride. The commuter who planned to catch a ride in a slug line discovered that there were no cars offering rides at the newly established location. He ended up taking the Fairfax Connector express shuttle to Pentagon and then rode a crowded Metro to McPherson Square. But, he made his commute in 46 minutes. Dr. Gridlock relied on the Metro and the provided shuttle bus between stations, and, well, he arrived at his office in 90 minutes.
Labels: bike commuting, fairfax connector, mt vernon trail, safe track
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Metro's SafeTrack Program and Bicycling - Update2
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| Photo: Fairfax County |
Bike Commuting - One significant advantage of traveling by bike is knowing how long it takes to get to your destination. It may take longer to ride than some other options but at least you can plan accordingly. Most Fairfax commuters travel long distances so it may not be feasible to complete your full commute by bike. However, bikes are a great way to connect non-Metro travel options. You could ride to the bus stop, put your bike on the rack on the front of the bus, then reverse the process at the other end of your bus ride.
Folding bikes can be taken on Metro during all operating hours and they give you yet another option during unscheduled delays. Full-size bikes cannot be taken on trains during peak hours (7-10 am and 4-7 pm). See WMATA's Bikes and Metro page. Fairfax Connector and Metro buses have bike racks, so combining bikes and buses greatly extends your trip.
Use WMATA's Trip Planner to learn about Metro bus and train options (including Fairfax Connector buses) and to estimate travel times. We've been told that Trip Planner travel times will include SafeTrack delays. Use Google Maps bike directions and Fairfax County's interactive bike map to find possible bike routes.
If you'd like more info on strategies for bike commuting, including advice on equipment, clothing, and finding the best routes, contact FABB.
Capital Bikeshare - Bikeshare bikes are available at many of the Metro stations where single-tracking will occur. See the CaBi Station map for details. You must be a CaBi member to check out a bike. Several membership options are available: 24-hour ($8), 3-day ($17), 30-day ($28), or Annual ($85). All rides lasting under 30 minutes are free. See the CaBi How it Works page for details.
Update - June 2 - WABA recently published their page How to Bike During SafeTrack. WABA is also looking for volunteers to support biking during SafeTrack.
Update 2 - June 3 - WMATA has bike info on their SafeTrack Surge #1 page:
- Arlington County is installing a Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and capacity will be added to the Bikeshare stations at Ballston and Rosslyn stations. Most Metrorail stations have a Bikeshare stand nearby. One-day, three-day, monthly, and yearly memberships are available.
- Consider bicycling to Ballston, Virginia Square, and other stations to the east, where more trains will be running and provide a good chance of getting space on board. Added bicycle parking will be available at Ballston.
- For customers at McLean, Vienna, West Falls Church, and East Falls Church, consider taking the W&OD and Custis Trails to Ballston station. The W&OD trail is within a half-mile of those stations, and leads to Ballston. The route to the station will be signed clearly. WABA has posted bike-friendly routes to and from these stations to the trail.
- Customers who normally bike to Wiehle-Reston East station should consider riding and parking at the North Reston and Herndon-Monroe Park & Rides, where enhanced express bus service will be available.
Labels: bike commuting, capital bikeshare, safetrack, wmata
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Metro closed; No problem for bike commuters
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| W&OD Trail in Vienna on Bike to Work Day |
As I watched the morning news to see the effects of the Metro closure it occurred to me that local news programs should regularly show traffic on the Custis, W&OD, and Mt Vernon Trails in Virginia to let people know what conditions are like and show non-bike commuters that there really is another way to get around this area. Try not to be too smug as you pass all those frustrated drivers today.
Labels: bike commuting, Metro
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
New US Census Report on Growth of Bike Commuting
Alison Griswold in Slate.com pointed out this week new U.S.census data showing that biking to work is growing, especially among richer Americans.
According to a Census Bureau report on America’s commuting patterns that was released last week, biking to work is slowly but steadily on the rise as more young, urban adults are giving up on driving to work. This was particularly true in cities with strong public transportation networks, where automobile commuting declined by 6 percentage points among workers ages 25 to 29.
Although biking to work is most common among America’s
lowest-earning workers, the report shows that from 2006 to 2013, bicycle
commuting more than doubled among workers making $75,000 or more—the highest
earnings category in the report—rising from 1.1 percent to 2.4 percent. For workers in the lowest earnings category
($0 to $24,999), bicycle commuting edged up from 3.1 percent in 2006 to 3.5
percent in 2013. And for middle earners (those making $25,000 to $74,999), the
amount of biking workers increased from 1.9 percent in 2006 to 2.9 percent in
2013.
Griswold suggested that the jump in bicycle commuting among higher earners could be at least partly explained by the rise of bike-share programs in cities nationwide.
In an earlier article based on the same census report, Griswold reported that the age cohort between 25 to 29 in cities with good public transit saw the steepest decline in automobile commuting.
Griswold's conclusion from these findings from the Census Bureau: Give people solid transportation options and chances are they’ll take them.
Labels: bicycle transportation, bike commuting, census
Friday, January 30, 2015
Census Bureau App Tracks Bicycle Commuting Numbers
The Census Bureau recently released a web application that provides commuter mode share information (the percentage of travelers or number of trips using a particular type of transportation), including bicycle and walking commuting numbers, for each state, county, and census tract in the country. Not surprisingly, the map shows that bicycling in the Washington metro area is concentrated in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown D.C., Capitol Hill, and North Arlington. Census tracts in Fairfax County show that areas abutting major facilities such as the W&OD and Mt. Vernon Trails tend to have higher levels of bicycling than the surrounding suburban tracts.
Submitted by Steven Ward, FABB
Labels: bike commuting, census
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Dr Gridlock: Which Way is Faster (by bike)
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| Dr. Gridlock |
If you have a favorite commuting route on which you would like to see a comparison of the drive, transit, and bike travel times, contact Dr Gridlock at drgridlock@washpost.com. Be sure to ask him to include the bike option and you could mention the many other benefits of bike travel such as consistent travel time, getting a workout, having fun, saving money, and reducing congestion.
Here's a section from the article Commuters’ eternal question: Which way is faster?:
Over the past few years, my colleagues and I on The Post’s transportation team have done an occasional feature we call “Which Way?” We take travelers’ questions on which commuting route might work better for them and test a couple of possibilities. For example, when the 495 Express Lanes opened last year, Post reporter Mark Berman and I tested routes from Gallows Road to Tysons Corner using the express lanes (me) or the regular Beltway lanes (Mark). Taking the express lanes, I managed to beat Mark to the roof of the Tysons mall garage off Westpark Drive by three minutes — but I paid a toll for that advantage.
We don’t measure time only. Like other commuters, we judge the trip by the entire experience. Where was there congestion? Where was their confusion? Driving may provide a faster trip, but Metro may be less of a hassle — or not.
Depending on what Point A’s and Point B’s you suggest, we may be able to gettransportation reporter Ashley Halsey III to join us on his bike. Ashley is an avid cyclist, and I have a feeling he’ll be competitive with some of the driving and transit routes.
So give us some starting and ending points for your commutes in the D.C. area, and let us test whether one route — or one mode of travel — might be better than another for you. (I’ve got a couple ideas of my own for when the Silver Line opens.)
Suggest alternative commutes in the Comments field here, or send them to me via e-mail at drgridlock@washpost.com.
Depending on what Point A’s and Point B’s you suggest, we may be able to gettransportation reporter Ashley Halsey III to join us on his bike. Ashley is an avid cyclist, and I have a feeling he’ll be competitive with some of the driving and transit routes.
So give us some starting and ending points for your commutes in the D.C. area, and let us test whether one route — or one mode of travel — might be better than another for you. (I’ve got a couple ideas of my own for when the Silver Line opens.)
Suggest alternative commutes in the Comments field here, or send them to me via e-mail at drgridlock@washpost.com.
Labels: bike commuting, dr. gridlock
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Ken Schantz's Mt. Vernon to Rockville bike commute featured in Post
FABB's Ken Schantz is featured in today's Metro section of the Post in the article: Commuter relishes daily two-hour 40-minute trek from Mount Vernon area to Rockville: |
| Ken Schantz Photo: Washington Post |
It’s one thing to get from Point A to Point B without a car in Washington — a relatively compact 68.3 square miles. But navigating the region’s far-flung suburbs — never mind crossing through two counties and the District — offers an entirely different challenge. Doable certainly, but not for the faint of heart.
“That beats any commute I’ve done,” said Mark Plotz, senior associate and program director for the National Center for Bicycling and Walking.
Schantz joins a growing number of workers who have abandoned their cars in favor of bus, rail and bike for their daily commutes. Solo drivers still dominate the ranks of D.C. area commuters, but according to an analysis by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the number of regular bike commuters in the D.C. region increased by about 11,000 between 2000 and 2011. The uptick is largely fueled by people who live and work in the District. But bike commuting also has increased in popularity in other jurisdictions, including Montgomery County, which opened more than a dozen Capital Bikeshare stations last month.
“Driving is sort of an addiction. People get so used to it, they don’t think of doing anything else,” he said. “Then you have these special events. You get on a bike for the first time and think, ‘Hey, that’s fun.’ ”
Labels: bike commuting, ken schantz
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bike commuting on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Today's Post contains a good article on the importance of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to bike commuters: |
| Photo: Washington Post |
At the time, the boom in bike commuting was years away. But as thousands of people across the region prepare for Bike to Work Day on Friday, the planners are looking very smart.
Prince George’s officials said use of the 3.5-mile Wilson Bridge trail has increased dramatically since it opened in 2009. In March, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission recorded 26,827 crossings, up from 13,998 in March 2012. (In both cases, a trip back and forth was counted as two crossings.)
“The more the region interconnects these various bike trails and bike lanes, it just makes biking a more attractive option, not only for commuting but also for other activities,” said Robert Griffiths, a transportation specialist at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Biking as a way to commute has surged in the Washington area, particularly in the District, which is considered one of the country’s leading cities for bike commuting.
Labels: bike commuting, hot lanes, woodrow wilson bridge
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Relationship between exercise and cancer
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| Liz MacGregor. Photo: Mark Blacknell |
Almost four years have passed since I finished chemotherapy, and I am still cancer-free. (I am taking a five-year course of tamoxifen, which blocks the effects of certain hormones, to help prevent a recurrence.) Riding has continued to be a refuge and an inspiration to challenge myself. I ride about 600 miles per month, most of it commuting. I have completed several centuries (100-mile rides) and a few local events. Last fall, I was certified as an instructor by the League of American Bicyclists, which means I can teach beginners and cyclists wishing to improve their traffic riding skills. My husband and I are also training our son’s Boy Scout troop for a four-day, 187-mile bike ride on the C&O Canal towpath this summer.
I’ve realized my goal when I started bike commuting. By using my bike to get groceries, go to and from work and do many other things I need to do, I can maintain my fitness while going about my life. My well-being is the priority it always should have been.
I’ve realized my goal when I started bike commuting. By using my bike to get groceries, go to and from work and do many other things I need to do, I can maintain my fitness while going about my life. My well-being is the priority it always should have been.
I have a well-rehearsed answer when someone asks, “Is it safe?” Eighty-five percent of my commute is on a protected trail or bike lane. After all these years, the urban drivers and I know each other well and have long since made peace with our imperfect coexistence.
But really, I just want to reply, “How is it safe not to?” I’m a human being, a living creature. I wasn’t meant to be passive. I was meant to be out in the world, to move, to power up a hill panting, to go flying down the other side as if ready to take flight. To feel the hot sun beating down on my back, to gingerly brace myself against a fierce crosswind on a dark, frigid night. To overcome the tedium of thousands of pedal strokes over the same route, day after day, by making it transcendent. To do more than exist — to live.
Labels: bike commuting, liz macgregor
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bike commuting across Chain Bridge
Cyclists crossing Chain Bridge in McLean say it’s treacherous with traffic, but they’ll keep pedaling is the title of The State of NoVa's blog post. The FABB treasurer uses this bridge on his commute from Vienna to Bethesda: |
| Photo: Washington Post |
Unlike the continuous mass of drivers inching over Chain Bridge weekday mornings, Van Herpen and Janssen are a commuter cycling couple who navigate their hybrid bicycles to work in all degrees of weather. They are part of the widening stream of cyclists crossing Chain Bridge to workplaces in the District and Maryland...
To access the Capital Crescent Trail from Chain Bridge, cyclists maneuver down a zig-zag ramp to the C&O Canal tow path. If they want to head north, they have to cross Canal Road, without a crosswalk, walk along the edge of the road to a wooded footpath that leads to the Crescent Trail. The other option is to ride the tow path south about a mile to Flecher's Cove, switch onto the Capital Crescent, then reverse direction and ride back north, to access places like Bethesda.
"The C&O between Chain Bridge and Flecher's is the worst part of the entire path," says Laura Tuck, who started cycling to work on G Street with her husband, Jim DeMocker, in September. "Now, there are puddles and stuff, but it's like bone jarring, compared to outside, which is beautiful, they refinished." Tuck says the tow path can give you a headache, until you reach the pavement of the Capital Crescent. "It's just worse than washboard."
"I think more people would do this, if they made that a more hospitable spot," said DeMocker. "Fist-size cobblestone type things, I mean, they just poke up.
Even having to dodge puddles, stones and cars, Tuck says, "It's taken the worst part of our day, which is the commute, and made it just the best part. The sun rises about 7:15 and the steam coming up over the river, and it is just so nice."...
Labels: bike commuting, chain bridge
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Post article on winter bike commuting
Today's Post has a good article on winter bike commuting that features Liz MacGregor of FABB, Bike commuters power though the winter cold. Liz offers some good tips on winter riding: |
| Photo: Washington Post |
"If I were advising somebody who was just starting out, I’d say, see what you’ve got in your closet and try to use that,” said MacGregor, who began commuting by bike about eight years ago. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this. I wear a merino wool base layer. I wear ski sweaters, usually. I have a variety of weights, and then either a cycling jersey or a fleece vest or a wool vest. And then I wear a wind-breaking layer on top. And I have tights that I wear, too."
In the wintertime, she abandons her bike shoes, which clip onto the pedals, and screws on a pair of platform pedals so she can wear warm "street boots."
"I wear either a wool cap and a buff around my neck, or I wear a balaclava, like I did today," she said on a morning when the temperature was in the mid-30s. "I have thick fleece gloves."
MacGregor said she embraced the bike commute after "a couple of bad days on the Red Line."
"My son was young, and I wasn't getting a lot of chance to exercise. So I thought if I combine the commute with the exercise, that will be a way for me stay in shape," she said.
Labels: bike commuting, liz macgregor, winter riding
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
How My Bike Changed My Life
Over a year and a half after buying my bike, I ride every day and take my car out less than once or twice a week. I spend half of what I used to in gas and haven’t got a parking ticket in nine months. I no longer have to worry about finding a parking spot.
My riding has also had positive effects on other parts of my life. For one thing, riding has made me more active and given me a large amount of confidence. I started riding to the gym last winter and have been going regularly for over 8 months- a record for me.
I am not as thin as I would like to be, but I eat what I want (in moderation, of course) and am in the best shape of my life. I find myself spending much more time outdoors, even in the wintertime. I have a completely different lifestyle that is good for me, good for my wallet, and good for my community.
And it all began with my trusty bike…
My riding has also had positive effects on other parts of my life. For one thing, riding has made me more active and given me a large amount of confidence. I started riding to the gym last winter and have been going regularly for over 8 months- a record for me.
I am not as thin as I would like to be, but I eat what I want (in moderation, of course) and am in the best shape of my life. I find myself spending much more time outdoors, even in the wintertime. I have a completely different lifestyle that is good for me, good for my wallet, and good for my community.
And it all began with my trusty bike…
Labels: bike commuting
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Bike commuting class at Spokes, Etc.
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| Bike Ambassador Daniel Hoagland teaches bike commuting class at Spokes, Etc. |
As we noted in an earlier blog post, WABA is offering the class to local bike shops in the area. WABA normally charges $225 for the seminars but is offering these classes for free.
We have taught a similar class at places like AOL and GMU. We are working with WABA to possibly offer these classes at other Spokes locations, so we attended this class to assist Daniel and check out his presentation. He did a great job and there were lots of questions during and after the presentation. If you're interested in using your bike for local trips and commuting to work, you should consider taking the class. See the WABA course calendar or the FABB events page for a schedule of future classes.
We rode to the class from Reston. There was very little rain on the trip down which took about an hour and 20 minutes, about the same time it would take using transit. We weren't so lucky on the return as it rained hard for the second half of the trip. It was a mild night so a little rain wasn't a problem. During the trip we heard the first spring peepers along the stretch of the W&OD Trail between Vienna and Reston, and we had to dodge lots of frogs sitting on the trail, sure signs of Spring.
Labels: bike ambassador, bike commuting, daniel hoagland, spokes etc.
