Taming the Bike Commute Beast (Part Deux)

Taming The Commute Beast

Mike Wallenfels, CEO of Timbuk2

My Commute(s)

Larkspur To SFO Novato to SFO

Why?Or….Why Not?

The Numbers• People who commute by single-

occupancy motor vehicle: 91,064,400 (77.7%)

• People whose commute is 1-5 miles each way: 33,988,000 (29%)

• People whose commute is 10 miles or less each way: 59,772,000 (51%)

• America's cars and trucks consume 10% of world's oil supply [League of American Bicyclists ]

The Numbers• New bicycle commuters can expect to lose

13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting. [Bicycling Magazine]

• Who’s Commuting Around The World? • Japan 15% of commuters bicycle to

work• Netherlands 50% of commuters bicycle• China 77% commute by bike

• Only 1.6% of U.S. commuters bicycle to work…

• 48% increase nationally in bicycle commuting since 2000!

FitnessMake it part of your routine!

2 Fitness “Perspectives”My Old View My New View

Fitness FactsLarkspur to SFO

• Distance: 20.23 mi • Time: 1hr 37min• Speed: 12.94 mi/hr• Calories: 1272

Novato to SFO

• Distance: 37.62• Time: 2hr 44 min• Speed: 14 mi/hr• Calories: 2142

• Make your commute part of your fitness routine • Use training device to track progress…one ride

at a time

Training Apps

Save The PlanetAny Car Off The Road Is A Good Thing!

Save The PlanetOne ride at a time…

Over a year….• 110 Gallons of gas• 2124 lbs of CO2• Carbon sequestered by 23.5 tree seedlings grown

for 10 years• Undetermined reduced anxiety!

MoneyFacts that help the cause!

Car Commute

• Drive - 72 miles round trip

• Gas/day: $13.92 (National Avg. 18 mpg at $3.48/gallon)

• Bridge: $6 (Fastrack)• Total:

• $18.92 / day• $94.60 / week• $4,540 / year (48 wks)

Bike Commute• Bike – Bus combo

• Bus return home: $5.35• Total: $5.35 / day• Savings = $13.57 / day

• Drive – Bike – Ferry combo• 28 miles round trip• Gas/day: $5.41• Ferry: $7.85• Total: $13.26 / day• Saving = $5.66 / day

• 100 days/year = $560 to $1,300

Getting Started

Getting Started

Planning Your Ride How many miles and when

• Allow for time and set goals• Commute to work, from work, or both

Choose your route• Ask questions and plan• Use Resources: SFBC, Bike groups,

Google, and friends

Whatcha do when you get there? • Change Clothes – Carry or keep at work• Washing or just don’t sweat!

Combine with Public Transportation• Look for public transportation options

Using Public Transportation

Choose Your RouteCity and Bike Lanes Streets and Bike Paths

Who Commutes?• Broad range of ages• 65% are over 36

How Do They Commute?• Types of bike used• Duration of commute• Frequency and traffic

What Stops Us?• Safety• Perception and reality?• Weather• Infrastructure• Darkness

Traffic Safety• Keep alert at

intersections• Cars don’t see you• Lights help!

Intersection Safety and Night• More lights the better• Brighter the better• Be AWARE

Gear You NeedIt’s fun to buy stuff

What To Bring

• Keep it simple• Bike Necessities

• Lights: front and back • Pump, tube, and tools

• Clothes• Cold, Rain, Hot

• Work Necessities• Keep to a minimum or

keep at work• Washing / Hygiene• Work stuff…only what

you have to bring home

Tips and Tricks

What I Learned

Keeping Motivated• Plan: Schedule your week ahead

AND create a rhythm. • Start Small: Once a month > once a

week > twice a week > every day• Find a Partner: Coworker or friend. • Prepare: Night before check your

bike, pack clothes, and commit! • Check Weather: Fair or foul? Dress

appropriately.

Weather Apps

The Bike • Fits your style of riding:

• Road, flat bar, cruiser, multi speed, single speed, or anything comfortable.

• Sturdy and less “theft worthy”• Tires matter…a flat ruins your commute!• Easy to shift or don’t shift at all. • Brings out your personality. • Easy to maintain or get it maintained! • Learn how to fix tires and keep it running.

The Bag

On Bike Pannier

On Body Pack or Messenger

Resources• San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

• Marin County Bicycle Coalition

• Bay Area Bicycle Coalition

• Bike To Work Day May 12th

Thank You SFBC! Questions??