U.S. Still Lags Behind in Bike Commuting

A frank assessment from Anum Yoon: "Though cycling to work has the potential to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your overall health, you’re probably not doing it." Yes, biking and the infrastructure that makes it possible has made considerable gains in recent years, but "the sad fact remains that the U.S. still lags far behind European nations when it comes to bicycle commuting."

The article includes lots of infographics to drive home the point about the gap between the number of bike riders in the United States compared to countries around the world.

The argument of the article, including the presentation made by the infographics, is concerned with answering the question of why there is a tale of two continents when it comes to bike mode share. Interestingly, infrastructure is only part of the answer. One simple explanation: U.S. culture considers biking a recreational activity—not a transportation mode worthy of the daily commute.