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John Pucher, Rutgers University

Ralph Buehler, Virginia Tech

Photo: Susan Handy Photo: Ralph Buehler

Photo: Greg Raisman Photo: Marie DemersSan Antonio

Cycling to the Future:

Lessons from Cities across the Globe

Photo: SF Bike Coalition Photo: Bike Texas

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Advantages of Cycling:

Economical: Affordable by everyone,requiring minimal costs for individuals andgovernments

Good for business: Generate retail sales and

profits from tourism No pollution: Clean and quiet

Energy-efficient: Use up calories we need toburn off from eating too much

Healthy: Many studies report on physical,social, mental health benefits

Fun: Getting out into the fresh air with familyand friends

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0.5 11 1 2

2 34 4

89 9

10

18

26

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

Percentoftripsbycycling

Source: Pucher and Buehler (eds.) City Cycling. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2012

Cycling Share of Daily Trips in Europe, North

America, and Australia, 1999-2008

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Bicycle Share of Work Commuters in

the USA (2007) and Canada (2006)

Source: Pucher, J., Buehler, R., Seinen, M., Bicycling

Renaissance in North America? An Update and Re-

Assessment of Cycling Trends and Policies, Transportation

Research A, Vol. 45 (6), 2011, pp. 451-475.

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~27% of all trips in the U.S. were amile or shorter in 2009

~41% of all trips were shorter than twomiles

Lots of Potential for Increased Cycling:

Many daily trips in American urban

areas are short enough to walk or bike!

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2 2 1

16

12

7

31

24

18

29

35

24

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0