Note: I'm currently on a family trip and not working normal hours. Email and message responses will be delayed and story and posting volumes here and on our social media accounts will not be at their usual levels until I return to Portland September 4th. Thanks for your patience and understanding. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
As part of their SmartTrips Downtown campaign, the City of Portland’s Transportation Options crew has a Commuter Central Blog. They recently posted a clever “transportation pyramid” (based on the U.S. government’s nutritional pyramid).
Unfortunately, based on a recent survey by the City Auditor, a whopping 70% of Portlanders are making the unhealthy decision to drive their cars to work.
Walking and biking; the foundation of a healthy transportation diet!
Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)
Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.
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Makes me think of how people interpreted the old food pyramid that because meat was at the top that it was the best.
The bottom two layers of that pyramid should probably be transposed.
Actually, in terms of health benefits, I think walking is much better for you than biking. I know my body benefits just as much from a two mile walk as it does from a ten mile ride.
I think this is pretty brilliant, actually, both in terms of addressing the health of the community and the health of individuals. Whenever someone asks me \”how do you stay so fit?\” my answer is always \”I don\’t drive.\” And biking is only part of that. Biking makes for nice legs … walking makes for cute butts!
#3
\”Whenever someone asks me \”how do you stay so fit?\” my answer is always \”I don\’t drive.\”
I\’m gonna shamelessly steal that one – great reply!
Walking is better for some, biking for others. You can raise your heart rate much faster and get more of a cardio workout in a much shorted time biking and also greatly increase your lung capacity but that may be stressful for some who are more comfortable with the lower impact workout of walking. It all depends on the individual. As for myself, it would take a ten mile walk for me to get the same benefit I get from a two or three mile ride. (And biking also makes for cute butts!) I also walk to work different muscles.
#2 – of course walking should be the bottom tier of the pyramid – how else are you going to get to your bike?
#6…why of course I will \”drive to my bike!\”. 😉
Remember, a lot of people drive their bikes out to the countryside or trail (due to poor local bikeway facilities or indifference…like all those cars parked at PIR\’s cycle cross race last Saturday).
\”Makes me think of how people interpreted the old food pyramid that because meat was at the top that it was the best.\”
They were right.
Thanks, Tony. Too many vegans in the bike culture, IMHO.
Many people have environmental impact, and health as part of their reasons to be cyclists. Normal American diet vs Vegan is similar in environmental terms to SUV vs. bike riding. I learned this from someone who works for the Environmental Protection Agency. It\’s natural correlation.
I bike for not only the health benefits, but to save money on gas and groceries, (makes me go to the store for fewer items that I can pack). Wouldn\’t you know it but the one time I drive my little car, a rear bearing and the alternator goes out…damn! Should have stayed true to the bike karma that night.
Late to the conversation..
I love running besides biking, it should be in there too!
Apparently I need to drive and carpool more.