High Cost of Gasoline Boosts Bicycle Use

Pedal Power, a Greener Option and Saves on Gasoline

Jul 20, 2008 Laurence O'Sullivan

One of the oldest modes of modern transport, the bicycle is now been seen as not only a healthy alternative to the automobile, but a means to combat global warming, while at the same time as a possible antidote to the high cost of gasoline.

Boost in Bicycle Manufacture

According to a report filed by Ralph Jennings for Reuters on May 13, 2008, on the increasing demand for bicycles, “Giant, the Taipei-based maker of international bicycle brands such as Boulder, Yukon and Iguana, is reaping the profits. The company, which produced 5.5 million bikes in 2007, is expected to pull in $1 billion in sales this year, up 10 percent.” For a variety of reasons people are rediscovering the bicycle and it is being reflected across the world in increased production of bicycles. With the introduction of new materials and new technology, bicycles are becoming more consumer friendly all the time.

Bicycle Use Increase

Because of the public perception of cycling as inherently healthy and also as a very environmentally friendly means of transport plus its increasing cost advantages over gasoline fueled vehicles bicycle use has increased over most of the developed world. A report carried by the Earth Policy Institute, titled “Bicycles Pedaling Into the Spotlight”, carried on May 12, 2008, by J. Matthew Roney, states “The world produced an estimated 130 million bicycles in 2007—more than twice the 52 million cars produced.” In the UK, statistics compiled by The National Cycle Network Route User Monitoring Report of 2007, shows that over 354 million trips were made on the Network in 2007, an increase of 4.7% on the previous year.

World Bicycle Schemes

Many authorities, cities, states and countries now recognize the role that bicycles can play, not only in relieving growing traffic congestion, but to people’s health and to the planet’s overall well being.

• Paris leads the way with its bicycle system. According to the Earth Policy Institute, “The stand-out example of 2007 was Paris’s low-cost Vélib rental scheme, launched in July. Now offering 20,600 bikes that can be obtained by credit card at 1,451 stations, the program logged 6 million rides in its first three months.”

• Amsterdam is probably the most bicycle friendly city in the world, and cycling has been a major mode of transport there long before the world became aware of global warming. The Earth Policy Institute says “Biking accounts for 55 percent of trips to work, and 33 percent of trips to school (for journeys under 7.5 kilometers). The city has allocated $160 million for the 2006-2010 period for bicycle-related improvements, including $58 million for bike parking facilities alone.”

• The New York Times, in a report dated July 9, 2008, says that the city was looking into the creation of a bike sharing program. “If feasible and adopted, such a program would create a network of publicly accessible bicycles at minimal cost, and could provide an important transportation link at transit hubs and commercial and social areas ­greatly increasing mobility citywide, the department said in a news release.”

• London’s OYBike system has been in operation for a number of years and uses mobile technology to unlock the bikes for users. According to Environment Solutions, “Tourists can now see London on two wheels using the OYBike system of rental bikes. The OYBike System is a street-based rental station network that allows you to hire and return a bicycle via your mobile phone. The OYBike system is based on the availability of rental bicycles at key locations.”

Of all the types of alternative transport, from hybrid cars to flexi-fuel vehicles, from public transport to hydrogen fueled autos, bicycle use is by far the one with the most advantages. It is healthy, cuts out traffic congestion, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and with ever increasing gasoline prices, it is by far the cheapest means of transport.