Cycling: The new way to commute in NYC

Cycling: The new way to commute

By Lana Douglas

Take a bicycle to work.

Adrian bikes because it is the fastest way to get around NYC.

That’s the message of Transportation Alternatives (TA) and the New York Department of Transportation (DOT).

In New York City, Wiley Norvell, communications director at TA, says the goal is to get as many New Yorkers on their bikes as possible and last Friday’s National Bike to Work Day is just one of the means TA is using to achieve this goal.

Cycling is not just a viable health, environmental and cost efficient alternative, but it is also an elegant transportation solution, said Novell.

Bike to Work Day began as a celebration of biking in New York City.  Today it has turned into National Bike Month, a month-long celebration that encourages New Yorkers to learn about safety, participate in group rides and jumpstart the biking season.

According to the New York City DOT web site, commuter cycling increased 221% from 2000 to 2009.

Cyclist, who goes by Adrian, bikes mainly for the convenience.

Jim Lepri, New York cyclist from East Side, started cycling four years ago while going to graduate school at Columbia because it was the fastest and cheapest way to get to school.  Although bike paths have improved, Lepri thinks many people are still unaware of cyclists and scooters.

According to Norvell, “It’s getting a lot safer; there’s always safety in numbers.  The more of you there are out there the more accustom drivers are to looking for you.”

New York was recently named as one of the five cities to watch by Bicycling magazine http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-2-19-22561-2,00.html.

Cyclist participating in Bike to Work Day can visit over eleven “pit-stops” around New York City.  “Pit-stops” offer various prizes and free breakfast to cyclists.  Locations are listed on the Bike Month web site www.bikemonthnyc.org.

Advertisement