Bike To Work, Save $17 Billion
Business Insider just published a brief article citing the numbers showing that if one-third of US citizens replaced one mile of car travel per day with riding a bike it would collectively save the nation $17 billion dollars.
From Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists: “When all these factors are added together the net social gain is DKK 1.22 per cycled kilometer. For purposes of comparison there is a net social loss of DKK 0.69 per kilometer driven by car.” 1.22 Danish crowns is about 25 cents and a kilometer is 6/10 of a mile, so we are talking about a net economic gain to society of 42 cents for every bicycle mile traveled.”
Read more at Business Insider.
Joe PeraltaMarch 29, 2012 at 5:01 pm
I bought a big old GMC van back in October. People are amazed to hear I’ve been getting 90 mpg all winter. Of every 6 miles I drive, 5 are on my bike. It seems to make an impression.
gfMarch 29, 2012 at 6:45 pm
But that is 17 billion taken out of the economy… Careful how loud we shout these numbers, economic ‘growth’ is measured by money spent not money saved.
A conservative zealot can spin this number to be anti-job growth. “we must not give federal funding to these programs that reduce economic growth and endanger american (not capitalized due to NAFTA) jobs.
Pink RobeMarch 29, 2012 at 8:15 pm
That’s NOT $17B out of the economy – that money will go toward hot wings, micro brew, smaller sizes of pants, new belts, full-length mirrors, books, etc. There’s no way the money will go unspent.
onespeedMarch 29, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Just a reminder that riding a bike gives us the freedom to stop spending money on gas. I prefer to spend that savings on local companies not rich oil companies. Thats not money out of the economy but rather money going into an infrastructure that supports people in our neighborhoods.
brianMarch 30, 2012 at 8:05 am
When we pay for gas, that’s going mostly into the already bloated coffers of the oil industry… which rapes the consumer every day with rising prices due to speculation. Not only do those same mega rich companies get obscene corporate tax breaks, but they are also being subsidized by us… the tax payer. So excuse me if I’m not crying over the thought of the oil industry losing out on some money.
kristinMarch 30, 2012 at 10:13 pm
on a similar note, money spent locally recirculates into the local economy by 50% more than money spent at a national chain. ($16 dollars going back into the community at a chain versus $32 back in at a local shop per $100 spent)