Will more people each year commute on bicycles? (Pittsburgh, Churchill: college, to live in)

[gg]

Is commuting by bicycle in Pittsburghers' future? | Local News - WTAE Home

I think it is pretty clear that this is a direction most cities will eventually go. It is a pretty big, but simple puzzle if you think about it. Why will we see an increase in bicycle commuters?

1. College debt of young workers will play a factor with parking/driving expenses.
2. Young people seem to be more "green" minded.
3. Due to the Internet and people laying around a lot just watching a screen much of the time, people will want to get exercise in at some point and commuting is a way to do that.
4. Organizations like Bike Pgh and others are pushing for more safe ways to cycle around the city.
5. It is healthy and more fun than sitting in traffic.

I don't know the future, but whatever happens, I think it will be VERY slow and I will be dead before there is any real huge changes. I do hope people get more healthy and ride more. It is all positive and really nothing negative about it, other than some folks whining about cyclists on the roads.

[TechCom]

The problem is the areas where you can bicycle commute are now areas where people who would want to, are priced out.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

The issue is that due to the topography there are only certain scenarios where one could commute to work by bike easily and safely. For example, if you lived in Shadyside and worked in Oakland it would be absolutely perfect. If you lived in Arlington and worked Downtown it just ain't happening. Due to this I think bicycle commuting with forever be a niche due to circumstance.

Now I know every bicyclist on the internet can climb any hill in the world with 1 leg or can do backflip no-handed 720 tailgrabs over Pittsburgh's obstacles, but for the rest of us human folk that's the reality.

[TechCom]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

Now I know every bicyclist on the internet can climb any hill in the world with 1 leg or can do backflip no-handed 720 tailgrabs over Pittsburgh's obstacles, but for the rest of us human folk that's the reality.

I was building an electric bike because of this, but unfortunately I lost my job before completing it. It could go like 20 to 30mph up the steepest of hills.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

The issue is that due to the topography there are only certain scenarios where one could commute to work by bike easily and safely. For example, if you lived in Shadyside and worked in Oakland it would be absolutely perfect. If you lived in Arlington and worked Downtown it just ain't happening. Due to this I think bicycle commuting with forever be a niche due to circumstance.

Now I know every bicyclist on the internet can climb any hill in the world with 1 leg or can do backflip no-handed 720 tailgrabs over Pittsburgh's obstacles, but for the rest of us human folk that's the reality.

Getting to work from Arlington to Downtown would be a breeze. For those who cannot climb the hills on the bike (I know I couldn't) there are options. I saw an article about the pulley-type system that is installed on hills that cyclists pull up to, set their foot down on a pedal like pad, and the device pulls them and their bike up the hill. You could also ride a bike to work, and then take the bus back. That saves you 50% of your transportation costs on that day, and gets you some exercise.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

Cycling in PGH is going to see a steady increase for the forseeable future. The city is putting a healthy chunk of change into beefing up the infrastructure, and Bike PGH continues to expand its reach.

I don't ever see it becoming a mainstream mode of transportation here. I think it will always be a smaller subculture in a region like this, for a few reasons, topography being a big one of them like Aqua Teen said.

I do think the future of PGH will be more of an, "Oh, you bike to work? I know a guy/girl who does that" situation. Where the present is a little bit more of an, "Oh, you bike to work? Are you crazy?" situation.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

The issue is that due to the topography there are only certain scenarios where one could commute to work by bike easily and safely. For example, if you lived in Shadyside and worked in Oakland it would be absolutely perfect. If you lived in Arlington and worked Downtown it just ain't happening. Due to this I think bicycle commuting with forever be a niche due to circumstance.

Now I know every bicyclist on the internet can climb any hill in the world with 1 leg or can do backflip no-handed 720 tailgrabs over Pittsburgh's obstacles, but for the rest of us human folk that's the reality.

I think you're right, but I'm pretty sure we'll see considerable growth still. I see plenty of folks commenting from downtown on bikes along the river bike paths and main roads out like Smallman and heading to the East End or various parts of the South Side. And lots of folks pedal around CMU/Pitt - my colleague rides 10 miles from Churchill each day for example.

For me, its integral part of the way I live, so I chose locations/circumstances that support it wherever possible and trade-off other things. I know many other crazies like me, and I suspect it's a growing crowd. It's a good thing for all concerned, bikers and non-bikers methinks ... bit I've never mastered that 720 no-handed backflip. 540 is cool though

[Buckeye Burgher]

If you haven't noticed....our terrain does not make us the most bicycle-friendly city on the planet.

My kids never even learned to ride because when they were at that age we lived atop a hill
with a truly breathtaking descent.

Aside from those fortunate enough to live in the East End-North Side-South Side corridor with
jobs lying within that zone, it is just never gonna be a practical solution.

[TechCom]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

You could also ride a bike to work, and then take the bus back. That saves you 50% of your transportation costs on that day, and gets you some exercise.

But what about if you go uphill both ways?

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by TechCom

But what about if you go uphill both ways?

I swear I know roads like that ...