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Biking to Work Featured in Chronicle |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 29 January 2004 |
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In two separate articles in the Houston Chronicle's "This Week" section, reporter Alene Nisson Lassin writes about Biking to Work: how it is good for you (despite the increased risks cyclists face in Houston compared to other cities), gets your heart rate up in the morning better than a cup of coffee, and provides economic advantages. BikeHouston is mentioned, and two of our board members are extensively cited. For a limited time you can read these articles free on the Chronicle site:
Here are some excerpts:
Cycling commuters stick to a low-car diet
By ARLENE NISSON LASSIN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
While others may consider their daily commute to work a form of necessary drudgery, Regina Garcia, owner and manager of El Meson restaurant in the Village, said her commute is the best part of her day. That's because she has bicycled to work everyday except the very worst weather days for the last six years.
"It helps me keep my sanity through a long and stressful work day," she said. "With my 15- or 20-minute commute, I get to have fun before work begins and then get to wind down by having fun again on the way home.
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Jackie Friedman, a Research Associate at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, is also a bicycle commuter, but she faces more challenges. She bikes daily to the Medical Center from her home near Shepherd and Westheimer, a 4-mile commute.
Commuting through a heavily congested part of the city makes Friedman's experience far different from Garcia's. A pet peeve is the lights in the city that are controlled by cars to trip the mechanism. For those, Friedman can't get a green light unless a car is there. She also must deal with discourteous drivers who yell at her on a daily basis.
Despite the discomforts, she is not planning to give up her biking commute.
Read the full article at the Chron.
Pedaling bikes in a city of drivers
By ALENE NISSON LASSIN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chroincle
We all know Houston recently shed Men's Fitness magazine's title of fattest city in America. And it may be no coincidence that at the same time, cycling for sport, recreation and commuting is growing in popularity in the area.
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Locally, Lilibeth Andre, bicycle-pedestrian coordinator for the city of Houston, said more Houston residents are bicycling as a mode of transportation.
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Road safety
Andre confirmed that more bicyclists are using Houston streets and roadways to get to where they are going. She said according to state law, the cyclist has the right to be on the road, and they are to be given the same respect as large, heavy vehicles.
"Motorists need to keep their eyes open for bicyclists," Andre said. "Bicyclists have responsibilities too, and need to follow all the same laws as a motorist."
Houston area cyclists have been hoping for more courtesy on the road. Some, including those who commute to work on a bicycle, are frustrated that more people aren't aware that it is their right to share the road with motor vehicles.
Bike Houston is advocating for just that. The organization, which held its first meeting Tuesday, plans to address various problem areas for Houston bicyclists.
Recently, hit-and-run accidents by aggressive motor vehicles have increased cyclists' attention to cycling safety and driving courtesy.
A common thread among those bicyclists who have been injured is that, despite the accidents or their injuries, they always get back on their bikes as soon as possible.
Data compiled by the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a voluntary association in the Gulf Coast Planning Region, indicates the city of Houston has had an average of more than 350 bicycle accidents, 40 bicycle fatalities and 1,188 bicycle accidents with injuries each year for the last three years. According to the League of American Bicyclists, there are 42 million bicyclists, and according to the Web site bicyclinginfo.org, there were 728 deaths in 2001 nationally.
Ned Levine, Transportation Program Coordinator for the Houston-Galveston Area Council, said that failure to yield on the part of cyclists and motorists is the most common reason given for bicycling accidents.
Read the full article at the Chron.
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