To reduce the congestion and pollution, Why many of us are not thinking of using bicycle for commuting ?

Question

Many of us know, the kind of problems due to traffic congestion and pollution due to automobiles. But still we don't adapt to walking smaller distances or use bi-cycle. We will find many excuses. Even the cycle industry is not putting any effort to popularise cycle transport through advertisements or improvising the existing technology to suit the needs of the people. Of course, automobile industry or any ancilliary will not be intrested in this. Only people and government can do something in this matter. What do you people think?

Answer 1

it takes too long to get around..

Answer 2

Because the public transportation (or lack thereof) in Southern CA is $HlT! Right now my commute to work is 20 minutes; not bad at all. In a bus it would be about an hour and a half. Probably the same on a bicycle; can't take the bike on a freeway. Sorry, but I'm not getting up at 4am just so I can make it to work on time using the completely inefficient bus service here.
And since our government is owned by Big Oil, the auto industry, lobbyists, and other special interests groups who don't care the slightest about bicycles, we won't see any form of improvement in public transportation here anytime soon. Of course, SoCal USED TO HAVE a public transportation system up until the 1950's: The Red Car/Red Line. But they ripped that out to make room for freeways. Guess who played a part in convincing the state government to remove the train system? Yup, you guessed it...the auto industry!
So, I'm saving up for a down payment on a hybrid. Next best thing, for now.

Answer 3

Well, I would have to say that depends on where you live. I live in Canada, and sometimes it snows quite a bit, and to be honest, riding a bicycle is not an option, especially if you've got like 30 cm or more of snow, and the roads are all covered in Ice. Last thing I want to do is get on an Icy roads with cars sliding out of control here and there. Other wise, in the summer, I agree, more people should walk and ride bicycles.

Answer 4

I live in northern CA (Sacto. County):

*I bicycle commuted to work from about 1991-2003, with a few breaks in there (law school, children born, moved to another place, etc.)

*Public transportation here in Sacto. is really quite abysmal (about a three hour bus trip for a comparable one hour trip by private vehicle).

*I stopped bicycle commuting to work when my commute averaged about 50 miles per day (the on/off ramps became too dangerous to traverse), and the gang situation in the county was getting out of hand (I'm not exactly the "Jet Li" type, and I don't want to go to prison for carrying a knife or collapsible baton ...).

I DID purchase a Yamaha FZ6 just before gasoline prices went up to $3.00/gallon, and commute to work on that everyday:

*50 mpg. city mileage.

*Newer CA motorcycles have an emissions sensor-apparatus which curtails emissions.

I just have to contend with cars, trucks, and vans during my commute on my race-tuned 600cc motorcycle.

*BOO-Yah!

Peace.

(;=]

Answer 5

as a former bicycle commuter, let me add my few cents into this discussion. i rode from 1985 to 1995. my ride took me from monterey park, south central los angeles, and then to el segundo. in the mornings it was pleasant. very little traffic a great time to ride.
- in the afternoons, it was another story. fighting for space on some of these streets take a certain nerve. countless times i came to losing my life by a few inches. however, not once did i get hit by a car. that's because i rode as if my life depended on it. you can't be careless out there.
- today, i wouldn't consider doing this. i've lost the nerve to mix it up in traffic. the other key factor is, a moderate portion of motorists are not paying attention to what they're doing because their attention is consumed by the cell phone.
- to ride through a city like los angeles all parties involved need to be able to pay attention. this also true for the cyclist. leave the ipods and such at home and use your ears. it got to the point where i could tell if a car behind me was going to go straight or make a left hand by the sound of the car.
- the best bet for riding through los angeles is to find routes that aren't as busy as the main ones. hill street is a lot less busy than broadway. i used to go throught the garmet district, i found that 12th st was a better way to go though than pico. central ave is the same way. it's nice, but too busy.
- like anything, to be able to pick your battlles and your routes will enable you to survive your ride. and one more parting thought - if a car just misses you, be thankful, don't enforce your own law because remember, a ton or two of steel will always win over 27lb bike frame.
- but as far as los angeles becoming a bike rider's paradise, i doubt it. the bike rider gets very little respect out there. as beautiful as our city is, our drivers are not that enlghtened to respect alternative forms of transportation.

Answer 6

Around here, riding a bike is VERY risky, as crazy drivers seem to think riding bicycles is some sort of crime. They don't know or care that bikes are SUPPOSED to be in traffic and obey all the same rules of the road as cars.

Answer 7

Roads here not safe to ride a bike on. Even if they were the weather her makes the idea out of the question. Between the rain and snow or the 40mph. winds or the ridiculous heat in the summer conditions here just do not permit It.Anyhow I could care less about the pollution.

Answer 8

Well i have seen quite a number of people try to bike this New England icy roads but to me its not an option because i can get run over or hit by a sliding car on the roads. but that is a good suggestion though, if you can send it to congress through your voted representative.

Answer 9

in a heavy traffic place like chennai we'll definitely switch over to bicycle is a separate lane is provided by the Govt.

Answer 10

I think this is a paid effort by an agency to direct public attention.
Last time I looked in the mirror there was no ring attached to my nose nor a halter for me to be led by.

Answer 11

Well if you can figure out how to haul garage door parts, and tow my utility trailer behind your bicycle let me know.

Tell your friends to quit driving their $100,000 sports cars, and SUV's