Riding to work with DOT bicycle commuters a great way to start the week

This morning I biked to work with a group of DOT commuters from the Washington Monument to our headquarters building.  The route was safe and well-marked; we enjoyed some exercise; and we didn't burn a drop of gas--which saved us some money.

That's what I call a successful commute.

Gathering on the grounds of the Washington Monument; photo courtesy Julie Fischer McCarter, DOT

President Obama understands that high gas prices are pinching family budgets across America.  And at DOT we are committed to providing people with convenient, affordable, and healthy transportation options. 

That can help ease the pain everyone feels at the pump these days.  It can lower the burden of tailpipe emissions on our environment.  And it can create economic opportunities.  We know that building bicycle, transit, and rail facilities creates jobs.  And we know that businesses will pop up where streets are friendly to bicyclists and pedestrians.

Enroute; photo courtesy Julie Fischer McCarter, DOT

Now, we can commute by bike here in Washington, DC, because this city has worked hard to make it easier and safer for people to use their bicycles--not just for recreation, but for transportation.  Washington has become a bike-friendly city.

And if you don't believe me, just ask the League of American Bicyclists, who recently recognized the city's efforts with its Silver award.  In fact, there's an informal race on the East Coast to see which large city can be first to achieve the Gold award.  When we have cities competing to be acknowledged for their livability, that tells me things are going in the right direction.

Thanking ride organizer Stephanie Roth, photo courtesy Joseph Kohler, DOT

The U.S. Department of Transportation has played its part in DC's bike-volution.  For example, we helped fund development of Capital Bikeshare, a program that makes more than 1,100 bikes available to its members throughout DC and Arlington.   People can hop on a bike at one station and drop it at another.  With 110 stations at transit stops, grocery stores, office buildings, and more, it's a very convenient way to get around.

In May 2010, we also gave DOT bicycle commuters a new benefit that allows reimbursement for qualified commuting costs similar to that provided to employees who commute by public transportation.

Around the nation, we've been working hard to help state DOTs and communities integrate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in road projects.  And through our TIGER program, we have funded major projects that allow Americans to safely and conveniently get where they need to go on a bike or on foot.

With FHWA's Darren Buck, who got the ball rolling with his suggestion, photo courtesy Joseph Kohler, DOT

I want to thank Darren Buck from our Federal Highway Administration for suggesting that I ride with the bike commuters this morning.  After our ride, Darren told me, "This shows the country that DOT is out there continuing to lead in helping Americans use whatever methods of transportation we can to get where we need to go.  Plus, it was a lot of fun."

He's right on both counts.  And whether you're commuting by car, bike, or transit, please ride safely, everyone.

Comments

[David S. McQueen]

The Secretary wouldn't be smiling if the temperature was 33 degrees and raining/sleeting.

Look, I understand he has to go with the party line, but bicycling isn't an obvious choice for those who have to commute 20 - 30 miles/day in all kinds of weather. The option to ride a bicycle is fine; it's when the government mandates the type of vehicle that makes it totalitarian. Americans simply don't trust government to make the right life-style choices for EVERYONE.

[Peter Nuar]

Now what to do with the backwards communities that want to isolate housing from businesses, creating longer commutes for everybody? How do we change the mindset of the dinosaurs that control communities, forcing people to commute long distances because of their zoning codes? It's great for the people who can afford it, but it drives the prices of housing up, and the time needed to commute. How much longer does it have to go on??

[Jocey]

David, where in the article does Secretary LaHood mandate bicycle transportation for EVERYONE? I suggest you re-read the last sentence.

I smile riding my bike 365 days a year, regardless of the weather (and I live in Portland, Oregon, so there's substantial rain/sleet to ride through). I've also made the wise choice to live as close to work (about 2 miles) as is possible for my income/family and worked with my employer to allow for the ability to telecommute with the weather is really nasty.

All of this, and I own a car! Bicycling doesn't have to be an obvious choice, but neither does daily driving.

[Scott Anderson]

Thanks Mr. Secretary, glad to see you participating in such a thing. Question: we now have a US Bike Route in Michigan, but the route only exists; it isn't marked. Is there any source of funding for actually marking - putting up signs to mark - such a route?

[Marcus]

Last I checked, there were still lanes for cars on the roads. No one is mandating anything. It's actually removing the infrastructural mandate that one must commute by car, and giving more choices to everyone. If you want to live 30 miles away and drive every day, that's fine. But I choose to live about 6 miles from my job, and I choose to ride my bicycle most days.

[jeff]

Look, I understand he has to go with the party line, but DRIVING isn't an obvious choice for those who have to commute only 2-3 miles/day. The option to drive a car is fine; it's when the government mandates the type of vehicle that makes it totalitarian. Americans simply don't trust government to make the right life-style choices for EVERYONE.

[Harvey Botzman]

Bravo!

I suspect the Secretary's normal commute is between 5-7 miles. At that distance, it is usually faster and more efficient to bicycle to work rather than use a motor vehicle.

If Secretary LaHood bicycled to his office at least 2 or 3 times a week and did it without the photo-op but rather allowed "word of mouth" to spread about his bicycle commuting we might see a significant number of employees (both in government & in business) follow his lead.

Many business or government senior managers as well as less senior employees the use of a "company" automobile available to them after arriving at their primary work location. Using the "company" motor vehicle after arriving at a work location by bike is very efficient. In Washington DC, Chicago, New York City, and many other urban areas (including smaller cities like Rochester NY) public transportation can be used after arriving at the primary work location.

I wonder if the Secretary would have a hard time entering the White House on a bicycle! Ah! He or his secretary can call ahead to warn the guard to admit him! It certainly would be faster to bike or walk from the USDOT HQ to the White House or the Capital.

Now, Secretary LaHood, plan your vacation to use your car, public transportation (train, plane, intercity or municipal bus) in conjunction with bicycle touring. Now that would be a true series of photo-op.

Think about coming to the Great Lakes Region. It is possible to vacation there using all 6 modes (alphabetically: automobile, bicycle, intercity bus, municipal bus, plane, and train) of transportation on his vacation.

[Rick]

Thank you for supporting bicycling as a viable option for commuting to work. Although it may not be an option of choice for everyone (everyday) it is definitely a way to save money, get fit and reduce carbon emissions. I have a 20 mile commute and combine a four mile bike ride with a bus ride to get to work and back, and a couple of times a week I ride the entire distance back home in the evening. I do ride to work when the temperature is in the 30s (with a smile), but I also drive my hybrid vehicle when the weather is too severe. Bicycling is an option not a requirement. If you want to spend money on gas and sit in traffic it is your choice.

[Ruth Gilbert]

I just returned from a week in Washington DC and I noticed these bicycle stations and thought they were a great idea. Another parent that was with me also noticed the lights that have been modified for bicyclists. What a wonderful idea! And after spending a week touring in DC a bike would have been a wonderful idea.

[David]

To me commuting to work means getting from where I live to where I work. I don't think the Secretary lives at the Washington Monument so I don't see how is this a commute? Admirable goal but without the rest of the commute story it just looks like what it is, a photo op.

[Bruce Chandler]

Thank you, Mr. Secretary for making this effort to show people that biking to work is a great alternative to driving. I know that everyone can't drive to work, but for those that can bike, I would hope that car drivers would be appreciative.

Cheers! Bruce

[freight audit]

Let's all support use of bike.

[John Brooking]

David, no one's suggesting bike commuting will work for everyone. Far from forcing you to use a bicycle to get to your workplace 30-40 miles away, what we're actually suggesting is that people ought not to be forced to use a car when other choices are feasible FOR THEM. Choice is in everyone's best interest.

[Jonathan]

Good to see this! I do a 19 mile round trip every day in all kinds of weather. It became easier when I stopped asking myself "should I ride today?" and instead asked "what gear do I need to get to work on my bicycle today?" Instead of fretting, I solved each problem as it came up.

Saying Americans can't bike to work in less than ideal conditions is like saying Americans have forgotten how to innovate. Kudos to Secretary LaHood for showing us how it's done!

[OctaviusIII]

Oh yeah, a 20-30 mile commute? You probably need a car, but some places have the option of taking commuter rail that far. Such people have an option for a car, but it's not mandatory.

Anyway, bikes aren't ideal for many long-distance commutes. Not everyone lives close to jobs, but not everyone lives far from jobs, either. Urbanists want you to have the option of driving to work, but they want people like me to have the option of biking. It means compromises for both.

[Karen Voyer-Caravona]

David, the point is that bicycling is an affordable options. Some people can afford to own and maintain a car or two or four but many of us cannot. You are correct in pointing out some barriers to exclusively relying on bicycles but I am sure you understand that few, including the most committed bike commuter isn't suggesting we all get rid of our cars. My husband and I went down to one car after we moved to a much more expensive community for work reasons. We kept our Honda Element largely because it snows heavily in the winter here. Most months out of the year however we use our bikes for work, errands, and going out to dinner. It's saved us considerable money in gas alone. If we had bus service close to our neighborhood we'd use that option as well. I frankly feel that for too long government at all levels, through it transportation policy priorities, has mandated lifestyle choices that too many citizens, including myself, truly cannot afford. Bicycling has for me largely been an economic decision that happily has resulted a more satisfying, enjoyable commute.

Mr. Secretary, I'd like to point out that we hear little from our President or any of our elected leaders about transportation alternative. I can count on one hand the number of elected leaders at any level who are regularly known for using public or alternative transit. Please spotlight those elected and public figures who really are walking the walk everyday.

[Andrew J Besold LCI#2682]

Ray! Your da' man!

As for forcing people to ride a bike to work, nobody is talking about that. It's about giving people options. Drive a car if you'd like or if you CAN but roads should be safe for those that choose or have no other choice but to walk, bike or take transit too.

Unfortunately Mr. McQueen, in many if not most places in this country people have no choices. It's either get in a car or you don't get to work, school, etc. Does that sound like freedom to you?

[Kris]

For those of you with really long commutes, you should consider driving part way and biking the rest. I did that before I moved and used a folding bike I could keep in my trunk. I was normally sitting in traffic for the last few miles so riding it was so much better. check these out as an option: http://www.montaguebikes.com/

[Aaron]

Riding the bike once and a while is good health & wise ways. Employers need to assist by having showers and bick racks.

[Scott]

This is a great way to make commute's more open to option. I think this idea will help quite a bit. If they can continue to adjust roads in all states to make them more bicycle friendly then, overall, it will reduce costs for consumers. I imagine, though, that business dealing with gasoline may start to feel the hit in their pockets, but the many that benefit far outweigh the few that will have to give up a summer home or two.

On the flip side to this, I would like to see more done against bicyclists that are creating dangers and hazards on the road. Sure a ticket will be given to the person in a car the blows a stop sign, but what about the bicyclist that does the same? I've come into too many close calls with bicyclists, grown adults, that will shoot past a stop sign in cross traffic from side streets, 4 way stops, etc... With freedoms come responsibilities. While there may be laws in effect for bicyclists to come to stops and obey traffic signs and signals, I see very little enforcement. I do not want to drive down my street and all of a sudden impact or get impacted by a bicyclist that does not stop at a stop sign or stop light or turn down another street in front of me without making a hand signal.

[Michael Essig]

My commute is 25 miles one way, but I live 6.5 miles from Public Transit and 2.5 miles from a commuter rail station. I Commute primarily by Virginia Rail Express to Washington DC, and use my personal bike and Capital Bike share to fill in the missing miles in the begining and end. I bike 10-15 minutes 4 times a day, and have lived without my car since March. Oh, I've also lost 16 lbs.

It can be done but you have to be creative, and you have to have the infrastructure to make it work.

[Mark Best]

Its great to see support for the option for bicycle commuting. I wish the infrastructure was a little better where I live. I work about 20 miles outside the city and commuting by bicycle the entire way is not possible and not really safe. I usually drive 10 miles and park at a park and ride were the bike lanes are, then ride my bike the rest of the way to work. Biking is a great way to stay in shape. Thanks Mr. Secretary.