Re-posted with permission from Balance for Cyclists
Yeah, we all encounter angry drivers out there — get shouted at to use the sidewalk, have doughnuts thrown at us, etc. — who would make us believe motorists hate us, but it’s really more of a love-hate relationship than a hate-hate relationship. Here’s why:
1. Parking: for every bike commuter, there’s one more parking spot available.
More after the break.
2. Road Congestion:
The above picture represents the amount of room it would for 60 people to travel by car vs. 60 people traveling by bike. Motorists may forget about this one as they speed by a little to close for your comfort because how dare someone on a bike cause them to slow down and find an appropriate place to pass. But motorists should keep this in mind. Even if you’re out for a recreational ride, that could be replacing a drive to the gym.
3. Other Drivers:
Yes, you may get frustrated at a cyclist, but how many times have you also been frustrated at other drivers? Remember that the next time you’re cursing a cyclist, you’d probably be cursing if he or she were in a car. Remember, bikes are traffic too.
4.Fitness
People who ride bikes are fitter than their sedentary counterparts. With obesity soon to usurp smoking as the number one preventable cause of death, not to mention diabetes and other ailments, fit people cause taxpayers less money than fat people.
5. Pollution:
Not much needs to be said here. Cars pollute, bikes don’t. Bikes make your city cleaner, quieter, and fitter. But I’m going to add one more while we’re on emissions. Bikes can drive down gas prices. One of the reasons gas is so expensive is scarcity. When we reduce gas consumption by riding a bike, we reduce scarcity.
