FitSugar

Did You Bike to Work This Week?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Today ends Bike to Work Week, with many cities all over the country celebrating Bike to Work Day today.

A new Swedish health study found that commuters who drive to work run (no pun intended) a significantly greater risk of having a heart attack compared with folks who power themselves to work, either on foot or by cycling. Just a little food for thought if you're entertaining the idea of pedaling to work regularly in the future. So . . .

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Speak Up: Crazy Commuting

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I am a big fan of biking to work. Commuting via bike can seem perilous on busy city streets, but new research show that the more people ride bicycles on city streets, the less likely they are to be injured in traffic accidents. It seems that motorist drive more safely in the presence of cyclists and pedestrians as well. Yay!

This increase in road safety did not help Jim Litz, of Missoula, MT. Biking to work, he "T-boned" a black bear as he crested a hill going 25 mph. Luckily, Litz escaped with minor injuries - a cracked helmet, a bear scratch, and a few bruises. Talk about a crazy commute.

It seems that as the length of the average workday increases, the commute pulls double duty and has transformed into a workout for some of us. Even the folks at Runner's World are promoting the notion of running to work. I would like to hear your stories about your commute and how you pack in exercise as you go to and from your job: bike, run, skate, or walk. Do you stand on the subway to work your core? Any other bear accidents out there? Tell me in the comments section below.

Bike to Work Day

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The merry month of May offers so many wonderful things. Aside from bringing you flowers, May is National Bike Month. I love my bike and I love a chance to be public about this love.

To celebrate National Bike Month many cities and metro regions sponsor Bike to Work Day, in an effort to make pedaling to work a more visible and viable option. As gas prices climb and waistlines increase, biking to work can solve many problems simultaneously. Biking to work can turn your commute into exercise, and quite pleasant exercise at that.

The dates of Bike to Work Days vary from city to city, but are generally toward the end of the week – Thursday (5/15) or Friday (5/16). To find out more about pro bike events in your area check out this comprehensive map of events.

Are you planning on biking to work? Tell me in the comments section below because I am truly curious. Don't forget your helmet!

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Did you BIKE TO WORK this week?

FitSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

It is Bike to Work Week and many cities sponsored Bike to Work Day today (or yesterday). So I wanted to check in and see if any of you biked to work this week.

Bike to Work Week

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Today is the first day of Bike to Work Week, culminating in Bike to Work Day on this Friday, May 18th. So if you didn't bike today, no worries you still have 4 more days. Well, you really have the rest of your commuting life to bike to work if you subscribe to the "Today is the first day of the rest of your biking life." Plus, the entire month of May is National Bike Month - you have the whole month.

The League of American Bicyclists has a listing on their website of Bike Week events happening around the country. Thirty-five states have listings of events and I look forward to the day that all 50 states promote biking as a means of transportation. Hopefully there will be some infra-structure improvements to make it easier to get around on a bike.

Now, I know for some of you it is impossible to bike to work...so why not bike to a friend's house this week. Or if you are going out for dinner, bike to the restaurant. If you are biking at night don't forget to use your bike lights (that is plural because you want to have one in the back as well as one in the front), and your helmet of course!!!

Bike somewhere, so you can answer a resounding YES to the above question.

Get Paid to Bike to Work - Maybe

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

In January of this year, bicycles were added to the list of qualified modes of transportation to receive tax free benefits, previously just forms of mass transit qualified for the tax break. If biking to work is your standard commute, you could receive up to $20 month, tax free, too, from your employer. You can use that annual $240 to buy a bike, get some replacement tubes (urban biking leads to many flats!), or to invest in a new helmet. To qualify for the reimbursement you must regularly use your bike for a substantial portion of travel between home and work. However, "substantial portion" is defined rather vaguely defined.

Unfortunately, this program is voluntary so your employer isn't required to ante up even if you peddle yourself to your place of employ. I had hoped that commuting via bike would become a line-item tax credit on the federal income tax form - a cyclist can dream. Have any of you cyclists been able to take advantage of this new tax code? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Tomorrow Is Bike to Work Day!

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

If you're interested in experimenting with a two wheel commute, let me remind you that in the Bay Area, and elsewhere around the country, Thursday, May 14 is Bike to Work Day.

If you can't ride the whole way you can try to bike part of your commute - because something is better than nothing for both you and the environment. In many other cities, Bike to Work Day is Friday - check the League of American Cyclists for listing of events by state. Regardless, be sure to check in with your local bike coalition since chances are high they will have watering stations set up for cyclists and many offer goody bags for pedaling commuters. Will you be biking to work soon?

It's Bike to Work Day! Bush Asks For Gas, WI Man Isn't Buying

CitizenSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:15 -0700

On this Bike to Work Day, US President George W. Bush is taking the theme to heart. This photo was snapped yesterday while he was taking a spin on an Israeli-made bicycle presented to him by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Despite his new wheels, Bush was in Saudi Arabia this morning asking for more gas from King Abdullah.

It was Bush's second attempt at persuading the oil-rich nation to pump out more fuel and drive down huge gas prices sucking US consumers dry. The first attempt in January was met with a wintry response. The kingdom said it would increase production only when the market justified it, and that production levels appeared normal. Some economists attribute the high prices to increased demand, rather than stingy supply.

In the effort to curtail the pump-crunch the National Sporting Goods Association is hoping to combat the shrinking numbers of bikers - the number of Americans who bike frequently dwindled almost 10 percent in 2007 to 3.7 million people - and encourage pedal-powered commutes. One Wisconsin man has made the big plunge - to see his story and some fuel-saving tips, read more.

A Wisconsin man said his "goal is to not use one drop of gas for 31 days." He says it's his personal stand against the oil companies. He's going cold-turkey - from a 300-mile a week truck habit, to all bike, all the time. He's even doing his 9-mile work commute on his bike. It's shocking him to shape, for sure. He's keeping track of miles biked and money saved and he'll compute his savings and donate that amount to a charity that provides food to children in Africa.

He sums his mission up like this:

"I think just with the gas prices being so high, everybody complains about it but no one ever really does anything about it. People continue to drive nonstop and not think about it, but I just wanted to take a stand and say, `I'm not gonna pay this much money for gas.'"

If hopping out of your car isn't in the cards, here's a list of gas-saving myths - filling your tank in the morning, for instance, doesn't do you much good. Are you hopping out of your car this morning? Does the idea of riding a bike on the road make you nervous? Should more people follow the Wisconsin man's lead? Should Saudi Arabia increase fuel production - or is the fuel pinch a blessing in disguise?

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Fittingly Green: Bike at Least Part of Your Commute

FitSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Biking to work is good for your health and good for the planet since your bike won't emit harmful pollution. If your commute is too far to go all the way on your wheels, then just bike some of the way. Pack your bike in your car, drive part of the way, then park your car, get on your bike, and finish the commute on your seat. If you ride the bus to work, bring along your bike and get off a few stops early so you can bike the rest of the way. You'll burn calories, strengthen your heart and quads, save money on gas, and you'll be cutting down on air pollution. Just be sure to wear your helmet for safety.

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Fab Finding Follow-Up: Fab Bike Gang

FabSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:22 -0700

Bike-to-Work Week took place recently - did you participate? Even if not, I asked you all to put together comfy cute outfits for fun. I started you off with this Aerie Zip-Front Active Bra ($30) because it will help, ahem, secure things. Let's see what you all created!

Look #1, created by hil34, is so cute, I want to wear it even when not biking.

Freestyle Bolsa Chica Women's Action watch	Converse Specialty Metallic All Star Low Sneaker
Women's Eagle Lightweight Hoodie - American Eagle Outfitters	Tanks�\|�Tops�\|�Designer Clothing�\|�NET-A-PORTER.COM
Adidas by Stella McCartney Performance woven shorts	Women's aerie f.i.t. zip-front active bra ($30)

To see the rest, read more.

Look #2, created by Zivanod, incorporates funky. I like.

Infinity Watch	Charlotte Russe - Peace Sign Ring
Clava Racing Bowler - Blue	Mark's Work Wearhouse Runner
Ashley Classic Fit T-Shirt	Women's Roots Original Sweatpant	Women's aerie f.i.t. zip-front active bra ($30)

Look #3, created by maria212134, is stylish but comfortable. Cool watch.

adidas 'Wooser Collection' Watch - Acrylic & Resin - Nordstrom	adidas Originals Eau Rouge W by at Zappos.com
Women's Clothes: Women's Active Zip Jackets: Hoodies & Jackets Activewear \| Old Navy	Women's Clothes: Women's Racerback Jersey Tanks: Tanks & Bras Activewear \| Old Navy
So Low Side Tie Shorts	Women's aerie f.i.t. zip-front active bra ($30)