Three-fifty. Four dollars. In some locations, well above four-fifty and heading past five. No matter what the price of gas, it seems that many Americans are willing to pay it. While some are forced to pay by sheer necessity, many more continue to do so by choice, even in areas where travel by car is not necessary, or where effective, reliable forms of alternative transportation exist. And nearly everywhere in America, there are untapped opportunities for bicycle commuting. 

But one woman near Boston is looking to break down the barriers to biking. Susan McLucas, through her course “Bicycle Riding for Beginners,” as well as several one-on-one lessons, claims to have taught more than 2,000 people how to ride a bicycle. The 59-year-old resident of Somerville, MA, has taught cyclists of all ages who were unsure, rusty, or complete beginners how to ride and become comfortable on their bicycles. Over the years only five of her 2,000+ students have failed to get up and running on two wheels.

Studies tend to show that the biggest obstacle to widespread adaptation of bicycle riding in the United States -- other than concerns over distance to travel -- is fear of injury, or lack of confidence in bicycle riding skill. But McLucas's ecstatic, enthusiastic approach (“A little more speed! Wobble, wobble, Maria! You rock! You rule! Don't look down”) looks to turn adults who never learned to ride the ultra-efficient machine into bike enthusiasts.

There’s no debate on the environmental benefits of choosing a bike over a car. The bicycle offers zero carbon emissions, and can take a 150-pound rider 50 miles at a moderate pace using only the energy found in a humble burrito. Increased bicycle use also eliminates smog-forming emissions, noxious chemicals like ozone and volatile organic compounds, and decreases demand for gas.

High levels of bicycle riding in urban areas carry even greater non-environmental benefits, including improved property values, a better awareness of the surrounding community, and less invasive noise pollution. Bikes also reduce road wear exponentially, and prevent the sort of gridlock that costs people in the United States millions of productive work hours each year, as well as irreplaceable time spent at home with family. 

While all Americans have the right to choose what form of transportation they use, until greener vehicles, such as hybrids and zero emissions vehicles like plug-in or fuel cell vehicles become more widely available, the bicycle remains the greenest choice for most transportation needs. And enthusiasts like Susan McLucas do a tremendous service by getting people who might never have bicycled out of their cars and into the bike lanes.

Related articles:
Shape-Shifting Bicycles a Commuting Option
National Bike to Work Week: America’s Sustainability Band-Aid
For Mayors, Fuel Cost Presents Opportunities
Cardboard Bike to Lower Pedal-Powered Price Point

Photo by Gaetan Lee