Thursday, September 30, 2010
Transit Good news: Bike commuting in Atlanta rose 111 percent
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 9:45 AM
- Joeff Davis
In Atlanta, the share of bicycle commuters to the total city population rose from .51% to 1.08% from ’08 to ’09, an 111% increase. This was in line with the key takeaway from the League’s analysis that cities with the fewest bike amenities saw the largest year-to-year growth this past year.Still, Atlanta’s numbers are impressive. That 111% increase propelled the city from a rank of 39th in % of bike commuters in 2008 to 22nd in 2009.
Lain, who also forwarded the study, notes that it’s sort of shocking that Atlanta’s % of bike commuters was almost the same as the city of Chicago, where 1.15% of commuters bike to work.
Of course, it had everything to do with our recent issue about cycling in Atlanta. Yep. (OK, so the data covers a time period before our cycling issue came out, but humor me here.)
You can download the full stats PDF here or check 'em out in browser-friendly form at Bike Emory.
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
Cool news. Someday, when I grow a pair, I hope to be brave enough to cycle these Atlanta streets, too.
I salute all you trailblazing cyclists out there breaking in the city streets and getting motorists used to sharing the roads with bicycles! Looking forward to Streets Alive on Oct. 17.
like
dislike
That is good news. It’s been nice seeing more people out there making the bicycle part of their normal daily routine. Bikes aren’t just for hipsters and athletes.
But this town desperately needs more infrastructure for bikes. And the space is there. Most of our roads are designed with the sole purpose of fitting as many auto lanes as possible into the available space, which isn’t necessarily the best way to move people. For instance, why isn’t Peachtree two lanes each way with a center turn lane and bike lanes? The two existing center lanes are de-facto turn lanes as is, so it could be done without a major effect on traffic flow. And why do streets like Centennial Olympic Park, Spring, West Peachtree, etc. need to be 4-6 lanes wide? It’s crazy. Riding on those streets can be frightening, and as a pedestrian, it’s no fun having auto traffic inches from your shoulder.
Atlanta really could be such a nice place to live. People are obviously trying to make it better, as these numbers indicate, but it’s time for the politicians in this city to step up and help. Mayor Reed, it starts with you!
Also, look at what a positive influence cycling infrastructure can have on the local scenery: www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/fashion/30BICYC…
This is a nightmare. All these hipsters and wannabes wearing spandex are clogging up our already-clogged roads and making rush hour even more unbearable for those that are desperately trying to get to work. I guess it's more important that the hipster that serves me coffee gets to work before me, the one who actually has a job that matters (and cannot bike to work in a suit even if I wanted to). Ride marta, stay off the streets. Streets are for cars, silly.
Cyclists have no effect on rush hour traffic. Thin bikes move faster than cars along the side or the center. If you are late to work leave early, make a sacrifice. Cyclists pay for their miles with exhaustion. It is an incredible privilege to drive and feel safe on roads and sheltered from the weather.
I drive an SUV when I'm not driving my BMW. Pedestrians and cyclists get in my way all the time. I simply use my vehicle to pursuade them out of my way so I can get to my very important thing that I'm doing. Wherever the filthy rabble is going is secondary to me and my superior life. I totally agree with 'uyis' that I am much more important than the common swine...AND I wear a suit. My suit makes me better than you and yours. The only thing cyclists deserve is to serve me coffee and be my slaves. There needs to be a lane just for 'uyis' and myself. Our suits will travel with us in our 'VIP' lane and anyone caught in the lane needs to die or go to jail for life. Air quality is of no concern to me as I am great enough to afford an air purifier in my vehicle and God graces the air around me with the scent of imported roses (from Holland). Everyone needs to get out of my way now! The holier-than-thou attitude that these hipster cyclists have is so out of control that we need to outlaw anyone who is not me or 'uyis'. That is why I'm on top and you're on the ground floor of the multi-level shitter we call society. Read it and weep you poor bastards!
This gentleman above is speaking the gospel.
Get out of the way, bicyclists. Make room for the fancy gentleman driving our luxury automobiles.
One gear -- WE GET IT.
That's pretty awesome. I love riding my bike from 2wheelbikes.com to and from work, but it's kind of hard when you live in Los Angeles :(
Latest in Fresh Loaf
-
Time and Place: Read between the lines
To me this photo is about doing your own thing and following your own path in life.
-
Vernon Jones wants to return to the Gold Dome and other interesting qualification tidbits 1
Qualifying period ends, dust settles, campaigns begin
-
Suspects in Pittsburgh gay bashing slated to go to trial Tuesday
The men accused of beating Brandon White in Southwest Atlanta already headed to court
- More »
More by Author
-
Yes, Cynthia McKinney's back 14
Controversial former congresswoman announced candidacy for old seat on Green Party ticket
-
It's Su-purr Tuesday! Get out and vote for sewers and Newt! 4
Think about the sewers!
- More »
