The COVID-19 pandemic symbolizes a turning point in human history – a moment for society to either stop and collapse or adapt and improve. Early on, warnings, lockdowns, and compulsory quarantines disrupted the flow of daily life as well as complex business processes. Even today, at the end of 2021, we still see many of the long-lasting negative effects of the pandemic, from the mundane daily activities such as personal hygiene or shopping to the elaborate internal operations of massive international organizations, even entire countries. Due to a lack of customers, many local businesses suffered terrible losses. For many of these businesses, pandemic-induced financial struggles marked bankruptcy and termination. However, through sheer luck, some industries saw a surge in popularity and sales. This includes the cycling industry and bicycle manufacturers. 

As news about COVID infections emerged, and transmissions studied, public transport was identified as one of the highest risk places for infections. In response, many people around the world fixed up the bicycles laying around their garages or purchased new ones. Some bike manufacturers responded to the uptick in sales by putting all of their resources into materials acquisition and production to keep up with the demand. Before global supply chains came to a halt, manufacturers stocked up on raw materials. According to BBC, this resulted in a bicycle sales increase of 30% in 2022 – growth that has continued through 2021 (Bernhard). The surge was dubbed the Bicycle Boom and has since resulted in a global bicycle shortage due to disrupted supply chains and low stock of raw materials sourced worldwide. It is still apparent in late 2021. 

The uptick in bicycle popularity as a method of commuting is the perfect opportunity for cities to rethink their infrastructure and for businesses to encourage their employees to bike to work.  For people, commuting to work on a bicycle improves health, saves money, saves time for some, and can even increase happiness. The benefits for companies and cities include safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, decreased risk of accidents, injuries, and death on roads, decreased pollution, and easier parking solutions. For the environment, more bicycles mean fewer car emissions and greater investments in greener, more eco-friendly cities. But what are the particular impacts on health for commuters? What can companies and cities do specifically to target bicycle commuters and benefit? What are the true advantages and disadvantages of commuting by bicycle? 

Sedentary lifestyles are detrimental to health, significantly decreasing lifespan and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression, and other conditions. According to the World Health Organization, sedentary lifestyles have caused a health crisis because 60-85% of people in the world live this way (WHO). Although some people can make time to visit a gym a few times a week, exercise at home, or go for a morning run, many people cannot afford it due to busy schedules or lack of motivation. Riding a bicycle to work can become a regular form of exercise that wastes no time. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure which is often a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It reduces the risk of diabetes by over 50% because muscles are trained to better process energy fuel (Johns Hopkins Medicine). Cycling to work can burn as many calories as jogging, thus aiding weight loss. Compared to jogging and running, biking does not result in severe joint strain which makes it viable for people with knee conditions.

The health benefits of cycling are not limited to physical health. Aerobic exercise releases hormones including endorphins, adrenaline, dopamine, among others that improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and leave you feeling energized and confident (Livingston). For those people who have a hard time feeling energized in the morning, a small kick of adrenaline can boost moods and help them feel motivated and productive. For companies, this means their employees come to work feeling better, healthier, and more eager to face their daily tasks. In addition, biking to work can be a social activity, as riding with friends and coworkers can be fun and relaxing, helping nurture interpersonal relationships. Social rides have been deemed safe even during the pandemic, as cycling in groups still allows for social distancing and fresh air decreases the risk of transmission.

Cycling to work can be a great time saver for many people. Riding a bike is about 3 to 5 times faster than walking and statistically, a bicycle will beat public transport on distances up to 6 miles nearly every time (Jónyer). In areas with heavy traffic, cyclists in bike lanes can get to their destination quickly and safely. For example, where I live, about 10 miles from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., public transport is expensive and spotty. A Metro ride to the city takes approximately 1 hour, considering a 10-15 minute walk to the nearest Metro station, an average 10 minute wait time, and a 20-30 minute ride. The commute times have always been inconsistent, even more so due to the pandemic. The Metro is constantly overpopulated, and many times trains completely stop for 15 minutes at a time. A typical 8-stop metro ride costs about $3 off-peak and $6 during peak hours. During a typical work week, I would spend $60 on Metro alone. 

On the other hand, the Crescent Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle path that leads around the Potomac River, all the way to Georgetown and the National Mall. This ride is smooth, safe, and consistent, taking approximately 25 to 35 minutes to reach downtown Washington, D.C., depending on my pace. This way, I know I can always be on time and it costs me nothing. Bike trails like these are essential to safe commuting and this is apparent from the hundreds of cyclists who use the trail every day. 

Although I mentioned that cycling costs nothing, there is an upfront cost that should be considered. A bicycle can cost anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on its type and quality. The list of basic equipment most commuters should purchase includes a helmet (~$70), front and rear lights (~$30), panniers for storage (~$100), bottle cages for drinks (~$10), a pump (~$30), a new saddle ($50), and a basic repair kit with a multitool (~$20). Typical maintenance costs approximately $100 per year, but learning how to maintain a bicycle at home will save time. The average cost of preparing yourself to bike to work, considering everything would be purchased at retail price, is around $600 to $1,000. For someone like myself, that would be equivalent to only 10 weeks of riding the Metro, suffering through endless delays. 

Commuters are not the only ones reaping the benefits of cycling. Companies that pay for their employees’ commuting costs could save in the long run by encouraging their employees to take their bicycles to work instead of driving or using public transport. As businesses and their staff grow, car parking solutions become troublesome. Developing a new parking lot or structure is difficult and costly, as a single square foot can cost up to $7. The area of an average parking space is 320 square feet, costing a company over $2,000 for a single space. This space could be used much more efficiently, on average, capable of holding 12 bicycles. Assuming most employees don’t carpool, a parking space would be able to serve 12 employees instead of only 1. The only additional costs are for securing bicycles on or near the company building. With the same logic, city planners could repurpose pieces of parking lots for bicycle parking. But this is not the only efficient way to make cities safer and more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.

Research has shown that creating dedicated bike lines keeps cyclists and pedestrians safer on the street. City planners and developers can do this in one of several ways. The cheapest and easiest is the so-called road diet, which means reducing the number of lanes on a street. Dedicated zones can then be marked for foot or bicycle traffic. Buffer zones, parking lanes, planters, barriers, or so-called bike boxes then protect these lanes and the people on them from traffic on the road (Reliance Foundry). The fact is simply that the more cities invest in bicycle infrastructure, the more people will use it for its convenience.

Another reason to invest in bicycles and infrastructure for them is the environmental impact. Cycling instead of driving to work can cut personal carbon emissions by 67%, which is a wonderful step for those who care to minimize their carbon footprint (Lombrana). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a typical passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. For every gallon of gasoline burned, around 9,000 grams (~ 19.5 pounds) of carbon dioxide are produced (EPA). While bicycle manufacturing does produce emissions, riding bicycles does not. Heavily polluted urban areas could benefit from lower pollution if people chose to ride bicycles instead of driving. Air pollution is a contributor to respiratory conditions and diseases, including asthma, COPD, and even lung cancer. 

Although cycling is a wonderful alternative to driving to work, it is not suitable for some people or situations. First, up to a 10-mile commute would be beneficial because it is faster than public transport, and in some cases even more efficient than driving. But longer commutes may prove counterproductive and time-consuming. Second, individuals with serious health conditions that prevent them from performing physical activities should probably steer clear of cycling. However, for those with mild conditions, the bicycle market has recently shifted toward electric bicycles which assist the rider when they need it. E-bikes have become a way for people who cannot bike conventionally to still get a decent amount of exercise without hurting themselves. Third, inclement weather conditions will stop most cyclists from getting on their bicycles. Riding in rain or snow is dangerous and uncomfortable. Riding at night is also risky, so it should only be done with proper equipment, including front and rear lights, and as much high visibility or retroreflective clothing as possible, so that the rider sees where they are going and that they are seen by other road or trail users. Lastly, cycling is physically demanding and sometimes people cannot afford to arrive at work out of breath and sweaty. Cycling to work in formal attire would be extremely uncomfortable and nonsensical. 

All in all, cycling is a fantastic way for people to improve their physical and mental health and save time and money in the process. Companies that encourage their employees to bike to work and invest in biking infrastructure benefit from having stronger, healthier, and more energized employees who are always ready to be productive. Additionally, these companies contribute to the larger sustainability initiative, in which entire cities can be transformed into safer, healthier, and happier areas. The Bike Boom that COVID started continues to take effect and cycling is both an accessible hobby and a viable mode of transportation. 

The benefits of cycling for you as an individual and for others around you are endless. I strongly urge you to find that bicycle that has been collecting dust in your garage or shed and take it to work or school one day. With enough like-minded people who love bicycles and getting a small bit of daily exercise and investment in cycling infrastructure, American cities could one day be as safe, accessible, and pedestrian-/bicycle-friendly as European cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna, or Oslo. They say habits take at least 8 weeks to form, so with just a little incentive, this could be day 1 of yours.