CAMBRIDGE — Doug Taylor used to get to work the way most Americans do, driving alone. Then he switched jobs to one of the many Kendall Square companies that offer financial incentives for employees to leave their cars at home. After trying the commuter rail, the 48-year-old Medford resident soon discovered he could pocket even more by biking.
Though Taylor had not owned a bicycle since high school, he now pedals 12 miles most days, taking the T occasionally, driving rarely.
Comments
It's not that surprising that they can get people onto bikes; in a Dutch city with similar demographics, density, and weather (Groningen) 57% of trips are made by bicycle. The only real surprise is that this happened in the US. Last I checked there was also plenty of room for bicycles in Cambridge, if only a little more space could be taken from cars. A bicycle fits easily in a 3 by 7-foot space, which allows 6 in a parking space for a car. Converting just a fraction of car parking spaces to bicycles would yield an ample parking supply for bikes. It is possible to commute to work out past 128; I do it myself at least 2 days each week. I don't see much need to visit the gym, and the combination of making my own lunch (I'm cheap), a cafeteria on-site, and food within walking distance means that I don't miss the car at all on those days I ride to work. The main hindrance is Other than physical fitness, the main personal advantage to biking is avoiding traffic jams (or rather, riding right through them). It usually takes a little longer to get home, but it's much more predictable.
The article left out the Charles River Transportation Management Association, which runs EZ-Ride and provides employees of its member companies and organizations with help using alternative modes of transportation. I have been working with them for years on Bike Week activities and the Bike Week Commuter Challenge, and the small staff works really hard.