The New York Times reports:
This summer, the number of new cyclists has increased strongly across the country. In June, nearly 11,000 first-time riders participated in Denver’s Bike to Work Day. Dahon, makers of folding bikes popular with commuters, reports a 30-percent sales increase from a year ago, with many models having been sold out since the spring. Transportation Alternatives, a bicycling advocacy group, estimates that 131,000 people cycle daily in New York, up 77 percent since 2000.
Are there more bicycles on the road in Springfield this year. I have no hard data, but it sure feels as if there are more. I am sure of one thing: I have experienced more belligerence from drivers since spring. In the four prior years I’ve been biking (almost) full time in Springfield, I could expect a rude comment from a driver about 2 or 3 times per year. This year 6 drivers have shouted rude comments–5 of the 6 were college-aged guys).
That’s not much I suppose. But I wonder what’s going to happen in the months ahead. I don’t believe gas is coming down in price (I hope it becomes much more expensive). So I think we can expect to see more riders. And, as the Times article points out, more riders means more newbies on the road doing things that put themselves in danger.