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Lance, since when is a 30 mile commute "average"? Supposedly the average commute *time* is 33 minutes, and unless you and your workplace are located right off an empty freeway, 33 minutes isn't going to get you 30 miles around here.

As for bike commuting, for many people headign to downtown DC from within the District and closer-in burbs, or those who live 1-4 miles from work, it's quicker than driving or mass transit. And it's perfectly doable in 95% of the weather we get here. One of the big sticking points, however, is that currently, the methods used to address adverse weather conditions (esp snow) are focused on keeping cars moving, rather than people. So, for example, we see roads getting plowed in a manner than eliminates the shoulder, making biking difficult. And cities don't generally plow sidewalks (and I'm not necessarily advocating they should), but leave it to property owners to shovel, and then don't enforce the requirement. Or cities plow, but don't clear bus stops of snow. Or the NPS neglects to clear sidewalks adjacent to parks.

Bikes and walking (and public transit) can be fine options for bad-weather commuting. But youre' right to suggest that, since we've built an extensive infrastructure around cars and spend tons of money catering to their needs, it's hardly surprising that there will be times when it's easier to get somewhere by car.

by Paula Product on Jan 21, 2011 12:57 pm • link • report