Why do we cycle in Spokane, oh let us count the ways...  Actually, let's just look at The Spovangelist's list of "101 Reason to Ride Your Bike in Spokane"  But after you do that, consider your own bicycle commuting, and then look at it through economic lenses (not hard to do these days).  Aside from the obvious personal cost savings of riding over driving such as payments, gas, maintance, and insurance, there are significant savings to the local economy that you might not have considered.

The Eugene Weekly recently ran an article where they looked at the cost of driving a car per person per mile - estimated to be about $1.01 per mile. And when you consider that a good majority of that figure goes to purchasing the vehicle, insuring said vehicle, then pumping gas into said vehicle, you are looking at a serious chunk of change that is leaving the local economy.  Whereas bicyclists are more likely to spend some of that money locally, thus circulating it into the local economy.  “It stimulates local businesses rather than rewarding Exxon or Toyota,” economist Joe Cortright wrote in a recent study of “Portland’s Green Dividend” from driving less. Many Portlanders appear to be spending the extra cash on local recreation, more convenient housing and restaurants, the economist wrote.

If you're a numbers person, you'll love this article.  If you're looking for a reason to justify making the switch to bicycle commuting, this might be your article.  And last but not least, forward this article to your local city council member - they'll be glad you did. 

 

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