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May is National Bike Month. We encourage you to give biking a try whether you're riding for fun, exercise, or taking essential trips.
Today, transportation is responsible for 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This means to tackle climate and air pollution issues we must shift the way we travel from driving alone to more sustainable modes like biking and walking.
Biking is one of the few zero emission-emitting modes of transportation. Research conducted by the University of Oxford showed that by choosing a bike over a car just once a day an average person can reduce their carbon emissions by 67%.
The World Health Organization states the following health benefits associated with biking:
Walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days reduces mortality risk by at least 10%.
Active commuting is associated with about a 10% decrease in risk for cardiovascular disease and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk.
Cancer-related mortality is 30% lower among bike commuters.
Biking can also save people money. According to the League of American Bicyclists, the average annual operating cost for a bicycle is $308, compared to more than $8,000 for a car.
However, the lack of safe biking infrastructure throughout the U.S. and our region continues to discourage people from utilizing biking for daily trips.
Whitpain Township is partnering with GVF, a nonprofit with 33 years of mobility planning expertise on the project Bike More, Drive Less. The project aims to improve biking conditions for residents and employees by creating a plan that looks at current conditions and identifies improvements.
Don’t miss GVF’s Bike to Work Day event!
Join us for our 10th annual Bike to Work Day event at Valley Forge Park. Whether you’re a novice or beginner rider the event provides an opportunity to bike as a group along local trails and ends with a press event with local elected officials.
THIS EVENT IS FREE!
Please join us on Friday, May 19, 2023
Group rides start at 8:05 AM. Ride locations are listed below:
CHESTER COUNTY RIDE
Meet up: Taylor Alley Lot, Phoenixville
When: Group ride departing at 8:05 AM
How: Approx. 7-miles on the Schuylkill River Trail south to Valley Forge Park
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RIDE
Meet up: Norristown Transportation Center
When: Group ride departing at 8:15 AM
How: Ride approx. 5-miles on the Schuylkill River Trail north to Valley Forge Park
Press Event Begins at 9:15 AM
Location: Valley Forge National Historical Park, Student Pavilion, 1400 N Outer Line Dr. King of Prussia, PA 19406
BIKING RESOURCES
Check out the National Bike Month section on wearetdm.com it includes:
Steps to start riding
Resources to help you bike throughout our region
Ride smart videos that showcase basic bike checks and how to ride safely on the roadways
Ruti Bike
Ruti is a bike route planning tool. You can text Ruti, provide your start and end locations for the ride you want to take, and Ruti will text back with directions and a map. Ruti will highlight low-stress roads to help make your trip safer.
Circuit Trails
Did you know that one of America’s largest trail networks is in your backyard? Find your trail on the Circuit among 100s of miles of interconnected trails in the Greater Philadelphia region, providing endless opportunities for recreation and commuting.
SEPTA’s Bicycle Policy
Most SEPTA vehicles can accommodate bicycles, which we define as two-wheeled, manually powered or electrically assisted vehicles. Folding bicycles are always permitted on all vehicles.