Biking to Work is a Slam Dunk

Lance Armstrong may no longer be the first athlete Americans associate with bicycle riding; and that may be a good thing after the last year he's had. This week, NBA MVP LeBron James's bicycle commute became national news.

1 minute read

December 21, 2012, 7:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"LeBron James, environmental MVP," wrote Adi Joseph this week about the basketball star's preference for commuting to and from work in Miami by bicycle. Star athletes are often associated with flashy rides befitting their mega salaries, but James and some of his teammates have also been caught participating in the city's Critical Mass rides, proving their bicycle bona fides. 

"The Miami Heat star reduces his carbon footprint the same way a 12-year-old might, by riding his bicycle to basketball games," said Joseph. "The 6-9, 250-pound three-time NBA MVP has been doing this for a while now, taking advantage of South Florida's warm climes. But that still doesn't make it any less unusual."

As to be expected, the national media aren't the only ones going gaga over the story. The auto-alternative advocates over at Streetsblog are hoping for a long rebound to the wider community. Says Angie Schmitt: "It will be interesting to see if this helps elevate the cause of safer streets in motor-happy Florida. It’s hard to see how it wouldn’t."

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in USA Today

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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