WHEREAS, Established in 1956 and sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists (“League”), National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encouraging communities to give biking a try; and
WHEREAS, National Bike to Work Week 2017 will be held on May 15-19, 2017 and National Bike to Work Day is May 19, 2017; and
WHEREAS, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of bicycles and an opportunity to come together with diverse stakeholders to raise awareness and inspire new riders; and
WHEREAS,
The number of bicyclists is growing rapidly from coast to coast. The National Household Travel Survey showed that the number of trips made by bicycle in the U.S. more than doubled from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009; and
WHEREAS,
From the years 2000 to 2013, bicycle commuting rates in large Bicycle Friendly Communities (“BFC”) have increased 105%, which is far above the national average of 62% and more than double the rate in non-BFC’s at 31%; and
WHEREAS, More than two-thirds of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese, costing the United States more than $68 billion in health care and personal costs annually. More than one in four children are also overweight. Researchers found that bicycle commuting is a great way to incorporate regular exercise into a hectic schedule; and
WHEREAS, Bicycle commuting saves on parking fees, parking tickets, fuel costs, auto maintenance costs, and transit fares. According to a 2012 analysis by the League, Americans saved more than $4.6 billion by bicycling instead of driving. The average annual operating expense of a bicycle is $308, compared to the average annual operating expense of a car at more than $8,000; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, the League ranked the City of Philadelphia as 13th among 70 other U.S. cities that have improved the percentage of their bike commuting population. The League reports that from 2000 to 2014, the percentage of Philadelphia’s bike commuter population has grown by 123.3%; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia continues to be one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country with its Indego Bike Sharing Program. Indego allows Philadelphians to rent bicycles from 70 stations located from the Delaware River, across the Schuylkill River, into West Philadelphia and from South Philadelphia to North Philadelphia. Over 500,000 Philadelphians have used the Indego Bike Sharing Program; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s annual Bike to Work Day is May 19, 2017. This year’s Bike to Work Day is led by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, along with local bike commuters, City cyclists, and City leaders. The ride will commence at Penn Museum located at 13th & Pine Streets and end at Dilworth Park; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of organizations and many of the 404 League-designated BFC’s, organize, plan and host events throughout the month of May, introducing bicycling to new riders and cultivating local bike culture and momentum; and
WHEREAS, With growing cultural awareness around health, wellness, sustainability, and economic savings, bicycling is seen as a simple solution to many complex problems, including the reduction of obesity rates to increasing mobility options. The visibility of bicycling and interest in riding is undeniably on the rise; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
That Council does hereby recognize
the month of May as National Bike Month in the City of Philadelphia.
End