NON-POLLUTING COMMUTING CHALLENGE
Bicycles Bypass Snarled Traffic on Aviation
The results from Aerospace’s first non-polluting commuting challenge, held on May 18 1999, showed no overall time advantage for the car commuters. In fact, seven bicycle commuters got more than 200 minutes of outdoor exercise on a beautiful morning with ZERO NET COST in time. Despite traffic problems, the cyclists found that their commutes didn’t take any longer than usual. On the other hand, some of the cars had some big surprises in store for them.
There was considerable worry when we found out that Douglas street, a favorite bicycle route, would be closed for repairs to a railroad crossing during bike to work week. However, the traffic snarls that ensued proved the perfect showcase for bike commuting. Bike commuters can sail right through stalled traffic, and can legally cross construction zones that are off limits to cars. Best of all, when the construction is over we will no longer have to take a pounding every time we cross the tracks.
The commuter challenge was conducted as follows. A bicycle rider and driver started from a designated spot at or near one of their homes. Each was asked to follow the route to work that they felt would work best for them in terms of efficiency and safety. In most cases the rider and driver left for work at the same time; however, conflicts in some work schedules required a staggered start. Each participant was responsible for reporting his or her time to the club. The date for the challenge had been selected long before anyone knew about the construction plans on Douglas Street.
While results may not be typical, bike commuters find that the small amount of extra time required for their commute is worth the added benefits of exercise and low cost. The results of the challenge underscore a further advantage of bike commuting: the time required rarely changes due to traffic or road conditions.
Special thanks are extended to the fourteen Aerospace and Air Force volunteers, especially those who sacrificed a beautiful cycling morning and drove their cars.
NON-POLLUTING COMMUTING CHALLENGE RESULTS
|
Location |
Bike commuter |
Elapsed time |
Car Commuter |
Elapsed Time |
Car’s "advantage" |
|
Manhattan Villagea |
John Gower |
11:00 |
Bill Clarkson |
35:00 |
-24:00 |
|
Hawthorneb |
Brent Morgan |
21:55 |
Evelyn Davalos |
14:00 |
+7:55 |
|
North Redondoc |
Mark Polak |
15:00 |
Grace Peng |
36:00 |
-21:00 |
|
Hermosa Beachd |
Andrew Parker |
34:00 |
Mark Looper |
44:00 |
-10:00 |
|
South Redondoe |
John Nikitas |
34:00 |
Jim Clemmons |
28:00 |
+6:00 |
|
Palos Verdesf |
John Stevens |
49:00 |
Don Mayer |
30:00 |
+19:00 |
|
Veniceg |
Richard Dickinson |
45:00 |
Scott Boughton |
24:00 |
+21:00 |
|
TOTALS |
|
210 |
|
211 |
-1:00 |
