BIKE TO WORK WEEK, MORGANTOWN

"WE CAN" was the response from 25 Morgantown area employees who planned to bike commute to work at least twice (and most, daily) during the week of May 11-15. Distances ranged from 2 to 28 miles for the daily commute and 4 to 80 miles for the entire week.

Over the entire week, this group planned to bike commute to work 826 miles, which would result in: -saving approximately 41 gallons of gasoline (by leaving their cars at home) -reducing carbon dioxide auto emissions by 826 lbs -burning almost 24,000 additional food Calories, equal to what are found in about 7 lbs of body fat

"CAN WE" make a difference? You bet. Consider this:

-If our group maintained this bicycle commuting for a full year, this would conserve over 2,100 gallons of gasoline and reduce carbon dioxide auto emissions by over 21 tons. -What if our group size increase of bicycle commuters increased from 25 to 250? Over a year, we'd save over 21,000 gallons of gasoline and 210 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

WEIGHT, THERE'S MORE...about those Calories in the 7 lb of adipose tissue burned by our WE CAN commuters:

-Over a year, this is the equivalent of over 14 lb per person. -Over 5 years, this type of healthy behavior could prevent the gain or facilitate the loss of almost 70 lb in an individual.

Oh...in case you think you're too old: Our WE CAN commuters were far from "spring chickens," with over 30% in the 50-70 year old range. Over 60% of the participants now plan to bicycle commute to work more frequently. Here's some of what they told us:

"Would love more events to educate bikers and drivers about proper use of the roads."

"I enjoyed every bit of commuting last week. I usually commute 2-3 times a week by bike, but last week I made it all five days. Bike-To-Work week motivated me...and I will try to do this more!"

"Having a designated week reminds people to give it a try and it lets them know how easy it is. I think people feel more comfortable biking to work if others are as well!"

"It would probably be good to promote an event like this again in the fall promoting active transportation for the students as well."

-"I would like to see WVU require parking tags for all parking areas and only issue these tags to students who live further than 3 miles to either campus (or with a legitimate medical waiver)....there would be a tremendous decrease in traffic congestion in Morgantown and much greater use of public transit, walking, PRT and cycling."

"Every week is bike to work week. Solve the traffic problem by parking your car and biking everywhere"...

...and if so, imagine a Morgantown with little traffic congestion during "rush hour," better air quality, a healthier citizenry...the bicycle really IS a magnificent piece of technology to solve much of what ails us!

Jim Rye Professor Science Education Dept C&I/LS College of Human Resources & Education West Virginia University PO Box 6122 604L Allen Hall Morgantown, WV 26506-6122 Phone: (304) 293-4416 Fax: (304) 293-3802 Email: jim.rye@mail.wvu.edu Web Page: http://depts.hre.wvu.edu/c&ils/currinst/rye.html Are YOU waitin' for the world to change? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPOBMzMTP4U ECAS/HRE NSF-Supported WV Watershed Dynamics Project http://www.wvscience.org/wvwatershed/