14 July, 2008

Florida: Cyclists flocking to trains.


From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Broward County), 06.24.08:

More people are bringing bicycles along on their mass transit commutes. Brad Whidden figures he saves $65 a month on gas by riding his bike and taking the train to work in Fort Lauderdale. The 44-year-old emergency medical technician...says the exercise and environmental benefits also are good, even if leaving his car at home adds an hour and a half to his commute."

I don't have to sit in traffic; my car doesn't have to sit in the sun," said Whidden, who started riding his bike about 30 miles a week to work a few months ago.

Whidden is part of a growing number of cyclists that Tri-Rail and bus officials in Broward and Palm Beach counties have noticed coming aboard recently. Fuel costs are a big reason, Tri-Rail spokeswoman Bonnie Arnold said. "Where you used to see two to three bikes in a [rail] car, now you see six to seven," Arnold said.

Ralph Cunningham, 55, started riding his bike to work in Boca Raton years ago to stay healthy. On weekdays, Cunningham bikes eight miles and rides Tri-Rail to the church where he works in maintenance and food service.

Cunningham said the number of bike commuters on Tri-Rail jumped around the time gas prices hit $3 a gallon. "Sometimes it's hard to get on here now," he said. (Read more.)
from Paul Dorn's Bike Commute Tips Blog

want to bike in florida? want a safer commute?


visit: Florida Bicycle Association
visit: The IMBA Congressional Bike Caucus [there are 2 representatives from florida] ask your congressman to support 'Bill # H.R.5951' in order to implement a safe and complete streets program.

1 comment:

IRON WOMAN said...

Yeah I know my comment should have have posted here. I'm just discovering website stuff, Forgive me. Ride with me sometime. 561-574-0178 you call I ride. Will you?
IRON WOMAN- debradonkel


Label Cloud