Bike to Work Book makes people fitter, faster and richer

A new 'how to' guide called the 'Bike to Work Book' aims to encourage beginners to try bicycling to work. US and UK government incentives are also kicking in, aiming to reduce congestion and cut-down on obesity
By: carltonreid
 
Dec. 11, 2008 - PRLog -- The Bike to Work Book will be published on Amazon.com in January 2009 but a 50-page taster of the book is available online for free now. The taster has been placed on Issuu.com, a book and magazine hosting service where the pages of the PDF publications can be flipped over and text zoomed into. After just 10 days on Issuu.com, the Bike to Work Book has been read by 10,000+ people.

A PDF of the book has also been sent to 20, 000 podcast subscribers, making the Bike to Work Book an instant 'best seller'.

The Bike to Work Book has been written by two experts in cycle commuting. Carlton Reid of Newcastle, England, is the editor of trade magazine BikeBiz.com and author of many books on cycling as well as guidebooks, such as the Berlitz Discover Guide to Israel. Tim Grahl of Lynchburg, VA, is the publisher of CommuteByBike.com.

Carlton Reid said:

"Bicycling to work reduces pollution, congestion, and transport expenditure. Higher levels of bicycle use can improve transport choice, civilise cities and produce a healthier population. Cycling is clean, green and quiet. It's a lot less expensive than taking public transit or driving but it's also massive time saver: people on bikes know exactly how long a journey will take them door to door. There are no traffic snarl-ups to worry about, no parking space to find. In rush hour, bikes are far quicker than cars through congested cities.

"Cycling to work also makes for a fitter workforce, and reduces the number of days absent from work. Governments across the world are starting to recognise the many economic benefits of bicycling and are putting in place personal and corporate financial incentives to encourage greater bicycle use."

In the US, from January, bicycle commuters will be able to get paid for bicycling to work. The Bicycle Commuter Act was added to the $700 billion bailout for Wall Street and allows companies to pay workers an extra $240 a year for bicycle expenses incurred while cycling to work.

Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists said. “This is an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change."

In the UK, employees can join a company Cycle to Work Scheme, a government 'green travel plan' initiative to reduce the price of bicycles. This is a salary-sacrifice employee benefit that can half the price of a bike.

Details of both government schemes are in the free sampler for the Bike to Work Book.

The 50-page sampler also explodes the 24 most-used excuses for not cycling to work, such as it's too sweaty, too slow, too wet or too painful.

There's also a section on high-profile bike commuters, including James L Jones, the former US Supreme Allied Commander Europe and just appointed as the new US national security adviser by President-elect Barack Obama. In the book, Jones is quoted as saying “[Commuting by bicycle] is an absolutely essential part of my day. It’s mind-clearing, invigorating. I get to go out and pedal through the countryside in the early morning hours, and see life come back and rejuvenate every day as the sun is coming out.”



Free ebook on Issuu.com: http://issuu.com/carltonreid/docs/bike_to_work_book_50_pa...

Website: http://www.biketoworkbook.com

Podcast:

Email: carltonreid@mac.com

Tel: + 44 191 265 2062

Skype: carltonreid




STATS

In early 2008, oil prices skyrocketed, leading to higher priced fuel. Prices have since dropped back but the theory of Peak Oil predicts that fossil fuel is running out fast and oil prices will continue to rise and fall, but mostly, they'll rise.

When gas reached $4 a gallon in the US, people drove less. Just a two percent reduction in traffic had a huge benefit to society. Air pollution was (temporarily) reduced enough, according to UC Davis economics professor J. Paul Leigh, to prevent 2,200 respiratory-related deaths when gas prices were high.

According to a study conducted by the US Department of Transportation, more than forty percent of all car trips are made within 2 miles of home.

According to the International Journal of Obesity, there's a significant link between commuting to work by car and being overweight or obese.

In 2006, workers across the UK each took an average of seven days off sick, resulting in 175 million lost working days and costing the economy £13.4 billion. But just 90 minutes of exercise can cut the number of sick days employees take by half.

With seven out of 10 people thinking businesses should take responsibility for limiting climate change, a company's green credentials are important to customers and employees alike. If fewer employees drive to work this lowers a company's carbon footprint. Businesses can save on parking costs too: twelve bicycles can be fitted into the space of one car.

Studies have shown that cycling to work adds years to your life. “Even after adjustment for other risk factors, including leisure time physical activity, those who did not cycle to work experienced a 39% higher mortality rate than those who did.” 
‘All-Cause Mortality Associated With Physical Activity During Leisure Time, Work, Sports, and Cycling to Work’ 
Lars Bo Andersen, PhD, DMSc; Peter Schnohr, MD; Marianne Schroll, PhD, DMSc; Hans Ole Hein, MD, June 2000

US Bicycle Commuter Act: http://www.cyclelicio.us/2008/10/bike-commuter-benefits-a...

UK Cycle to Work Scheme: http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycle_to_work_scheme.php

# # #

The Bike to Work Book is published by Quickrelease.tv of the UK and CommuteByBike.com of the US. The principals are Carlton Reid and Tim Grahl.
End
Source:carltonreid
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Tags:Bicycle, Commute, Work, Bike, Cycling, Savings, Employee
Industry:Transportation, Automotive
Location:Newcastle upon Tyne - Tyne and Wear - England
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