Bike, Walk, Skateboard or Unicycle
Travel with zero emissions and improve your health—walk, bike, scooter, skateboard or rollerblade. Leave your car behind for short trips and enjoy the fresh air, smell the flowers, and energize your day!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
In the U.S., almost one-third of all our trips or errands are 1 mile or shorter and half are 3 miles or shorter. It’s easy to hop in the car, but the secret to good health that most of the rest of the world knows is that walking and biking are great options for these short trips. And choosing to walk, bike or scooter, will reduce your energy use, save money, and reduce carbon emissions and air pollution in your community. That’s a win-win-win-win!
The health benefits of walking and biking are no joke. The Surgeon General recommends 30-45 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking or biking) on most, if not all, days of the week. Walking or biking for an errand that is one mile or even shorter can meet this goal. Not to mention, it is so much nicer to be on a bike or walking and enjoying the fresh air rather than stuck in traffic. For short local trips, it can actually take the same time or even be faster on a bike because you avoid traffic!
Next time you need to grab something from the store, consider walking, biking, riding a scooter, skateboarding, rollerblading or even unicycling!
1Choose your way of getting around
How do you want to get around town? The perfect type of active transportation for you will depend on where you live (city vs suburb), your trip length, the purpose of the trip, and your preferences. Important: be sure to check with your doctor before making any significant additions to your active routine. Here are some of the basic choices:
Walking: Simple and free! No instructions or equipment needed. Walking to work or school is a great way to ease into your day and works well for short trips.
Bicycles: Biking is a great way to get around! Instead of being stuck in traffic, you can breathe deep and enjoy the fresh air and the scenery. Biking is great for short or slightly longer trips. Plus, bike baskets or saddlebags allow you to do your grocery shopping without getting in your car. New options like folding bikes, electric bikes, and bike share programs make biking a great option for many!
Skateboards: If you are up for the adventure, skateboards can be great for local trips. Longboards are ideal if you want to cover more distance. Electric skateboards are becoming more popular—making commuting by skateboard even easier.
Kick scooters: They might look like a kids toy, but in recent years kick scooters have exploded in popularity for adult commuters. They are quick, lightweight, and portable—ideal for short errands.
Include the kids. This action is not just for adults! If you have children, encourage them to bike, walk, skateboard or rollerblade to school, to visit friends, and to their sports events or other activities. This is fun and healthy for them and sets a good standard for physical activity that may help keep them healthy and fit for the rest of their lives. Most schools have a walk and/or bike to school program with safety tips and activities.
2Gear up
Whatever mode you choose, you will need to be prepared. Here is a list of the basic things you will need.
Comfortable outdoor clothing: Wearing comfortable shoes and clothes will make your walking or biking adventures much more enjoyable. If you don’t have comfortable and supportive walking/sport shoes, invest in some to save your feet and make it easier to stay active during the day. A hat and sunscreen will help keep you safe from the sun’s rays and gloves and a scarf will keep you warm in the winter. If you will be braving the rain or snow, a good waterproof shell and pants will help keep you dry!
Bicycle: If you decide to bike, you will need gear to get started.
First, you will need a bike!
Buy a bike. There are many different bike makes and models on the market. You can usually also find many good used options, making biking even more affordable. To find one that is comfortable and fits your style, go to your local bike shop and try a few out. If you have a long or hilly commute, consider an electric bike which can make your ride more enjoyable.
Share a bike. Many cities are now starting bike share programs where you don’t even have to own a bike! Just start a bike share subscription and you can pick up a bike and drop it off when you’re done.
Rent a bike. If you are new to riding a bike or it has been a few years, stop by your local bike store and rent a bike for the weekend. Explore your local bike routes and get used to being on two wheels. You may find quickly that you are hooked and planning your next ride.
Fix your old bike. If you have an old bike gathering dust in the garage, give it a wash and take it to the local bike shop for a tune-up. It might have many more miles left on it!
Next, you will need a few other basics to get started. Here is a list:
Bike Starter kit:
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Helmet: Helmets can greatly reduce your chance of a head injury should you fall off your bike. Find one that is comfortable, fits well, and that you don’t mind wearing!
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U-lock: There are many locks on the market, but a standard u-lock is a good place to start to make sure your bike stays where you last put it.
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Rear and Front lights: These lights are required by law after dark and can help motorists see you any time of day. White light for the front, red light for the rear.
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Multi-tool: This little tool lets you adjust things like your seat and fix small issues with your bike.
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Flat Kit: A basic flat kit that includes spare tubes, a tire lever, and a small pump can get you out of an otherwise problematic situation and back on the road. Don’t forget to learn to use it!
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Bike rack, panniers, basket or saddlebags: If you plan to commute for work or pick up groceries, you will want some way to carry “stuff” on your bike. Many options are available, find one that works best for you. You can actually fit up to 2 grocery bags of food on a bike rack with saddlebags quite comfortably!
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Extra seats: If you have small kids, consider a bike trailer to tow them behind, a bicycle seat for small children that fits on your bike, or a bicycle built for two for larger children (or significant others!)
3Plan your trip
Plan your route. If you’re biking, skateboarding or scooting, take some time to plan your route. Choosing a route with bike lanes and less congested roads will keep you safe and be more enjoyable. Look online or in the resources below for a local bike map with information on the best routes and other local biking resources. Google Bike Maps can be a helpful tool as well. If you’re on foot, or another people powered mode, check online for a map if you need directions.
Timing. Take a moment to figure out how long your trip will take. Typical walking speeds are 3 miles per hour—so plan for 20 minutes to walk 1 mile. If going on your bike, plan on around 6 minutes per mile. Be smart and give yourself some extra time so you can cool down before your meeting or have a buffer in case any issues arise.
Storing your bike. Check for bike lockers or racks near your destination to make sure you can securely park or store your bike during your trip. If you live close to work, talk to your employer about facilities for employees like lockers, bike racks, and showers. Biking to the train or subway station is a perfect way to start your daily commute. Look into facilities at the train or subway station for storing your bike, or take it on the train and store it at work.
4Be safe
Lights, helmet & reflective gear. Wearing a helmet, having lights for night trips and wearing reflective clothing are all important parts of safe riding.
Learn local rules. Make sure to follow basic safety rules for whatever transportation you choose. Follow all road signs and rules and ride defensively.
Be alert. Be aware of what motorists are doing around you. Ride predictably, using turn signals and obeying traffic laws. Ride in the direction of traffic and don’t ride too close to parked cars, so you can avoid a sudden door opening.
Safety videos. Check out these bike safety videos for both adults and kids. Most of these rules also apply to skateboarding and other transport modes. Make sure to follow basic safety rules for whatever transportation option you choose. For skateboarding and electric bicycles, there may be some additional rules or areas where they are prohibited. Be sure to check for local rules in your area.
Lock it up. Invest in a good lock and make sure to lock your bike properly. A good lock can be expensive but will save you money in the long-run if it protects your bike. U-locks are generally tough enough to stand up to lock cutters commonly used by bike thieves. Make sure to lock both your bike frame and a tire if possible. Buying an extra cable to lock both tires is also a good option for keeping your bike safe. There are many videos on YouTube showing how to lock a bike properly if you are unsure how to do so.
5Maintain your gear & go for a ride!
Make sure to keep your bike, skateboard, scooter or rollerblades tuned up and in good shape. Keep your bike tires pumped up and check your brakes and gears regularly. Make sure your helmet is in good working order and fitted properly. Get a small repair kit to bring with you in case of emergencies. Being prepared can save you from being inconvenienced by a flat tire, broken wheel or even protect you from injury in a crash.
Two skills you may want to learn before heading out on your bike are changing a flat tire and performing basic bike maintenance. Check out these videos on changing a flat tire and basic bike maintenance. Need a little more hands-on help? Look for classes offered by your local bike shop or community center.
Extra credit: Support your cities bike/walk plan!
Many cities are just beginning to develop their local infrastructure for biking, walking, and alternative transport modes. Take a minute to write your local decision makers or attend a local transportation planning meeting and voice your support for more biking and walking infrastructure. Bike lanes keep bikers safe from vehicles and allow traffic to flow more smoothly. The more accommodating the city is to active transport, the more people will begin to use it. If you visited Copenhagen, Denmark and many other cities around the world, you would find everyone on their bike for short local trips. People-powered local travel is a very viable and healthy way to get around! This will also help your city reduce vehicle miles traveled and meet goals for reducing climate impact.