Biking to Work

May 16, 2008

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Profile America — Friday, May 16th. With the warmer weather in hand, it’s time to dust off your bicycle and get some exercise. In fact, this is National Bike Month, noting that across the U.S., more than 43 million people enjoy riding their bikes. Some 5 million people are expected to take part in a wide range of activities this month, sponsored by environmental and civic groups, health organizations and police departments. And today is National Bike to Work Day — a time to consider using bike pedals instead of a gas pedal. Even in the face of rising gas prices, the vast majority of us — more than three-quarters — drive to work alone. Only 5 percent use public transportation and just over 1½ percent use bikes and other means to get to their jobs. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 272, 247
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1222, 1068
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html