BICYCLES FOR TRANSPORTATION

Surveys of travel characteristics for the surrounding areas of Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul, were conducted to determine the differences in commuting time and distances between the bicycle and the car. Although the bicycle averaged an extra 15 minutes to travel the 6.9 miles, average enroute times and door-to-door times differed more widely for the motorist than the cyclist. It is argued that the time spent warming up the engine, locating a parking place at one' destination, and the walking distance to work could easily consume the motorists' 15 minute advantage. The author concludes that although the car provides a degree of freedom over mass transit, the bicyclist enjoys a further degree of freedom over the driver such as the freedom to travel a variety of routes, freedom from slow moving traffic on backups, and greater range of speeds to choose from.

• Corporate Authors:

  Capital Management Publications

  119 Paul Drive, P.O. Box 4450
  San Rafael, CA  United States  94903
• Authors:
  • Chiesl, D
• Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 59-62
• Serial:
  • Bicycling
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Rodale Press, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Bicycles; Commuters; Parking; Public transit; Speed; Traffic; Travel time; Trip length; Walking distance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156139
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 23 1981 12:00AM