The Benefits of Biking

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you know that May is National Bike Month? Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month was designed in 1956 to promote awareness about the benefits of bicycling. As it is so, its goal is to also encourage more and more people to pick up a bike and ride.

That being said, we're sure you've been told that riding a bike is a great form of exercise and a good way to get in shape, but do you know about the environmental benefits it brings? To tie this monthly observance to our goal of constantly working to help the environment, we put together the following list of reasons why biking is an eco-friendly activity:

Air Pollution: Unlike cars, trains and buses, biking does not cause any pollutants to be emitted into the air. According to the EPA, motor vehicles (even those that do not operate on the road) account for approximately "75% of carbon monoxide emissions nationwide." With that in mind, it seems only obvious that other means of transportation - such as biking - would be beneficial to the environment since it does not encourage the spread of pollution throughout the air we breathe.

Nonrenewable Fuels: Since bicycles do not require any gas to be used, those who ride help cut down on the amount of fuel that is burned each day. And being that our gas is a nonrenewable resource (meaning we cannot replenish it quickly), it's important to conserve as much of it as possible while we can. The next time you find yourself filling up at the pump, see how long you can make one tank of gas last by making an honest effort to use your bike on as many trips as possible. 

Parking: Believe it or not, major parking lots can be an environmental concern since they were likely built on land that was once a home to plant life. Additionally, when parking lots are designed, the pouring of asphalt and other roadway materials alone can also release pollutants into our air. By using bikes more often, the need for parking can be reduced and therefore, so can the amount of harsh chemicals we subject our environment to.

So what do you say? Are you ready to make biking your primary mode of transportation? Although we know it might not be the best approach in certain situations (for example, if you work far away from your home), when it can be done, we hope you'll make it a priority!

Boro-Wide Recycling is a full service recycling and waste management provider. For more information on how we can help you with your recycling efforts, check us out at www.borowide.com or contact us at 718-416-1656.