Did you know that over half of Alameda's greenhouse gases come from motor vehicles? The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) issued a Baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report for the City of Alameda in January 2007, which indicated 53% of Alameda's emissions come from transportation sources.
The good news is bicycling has ZERO emissions! About 40% of trips in the US are within 2 miles of home. Bicycling can be a practical mode of transportation for these and even longer trips in and around bike friendly Alameda, with our flat terrain, bike lanes, and 25 mph zones. Every gallon of gas you save by biking, keeps 19.4 lbs of CO2 out of our air US EPA website. That's a lot! So dust off the bike and get going!
If you are relatively new to biking, see Getting Started for helpful tips and free resources. For over 40 reasons to bike, visit this site from the International Bicycle Fund.This site also includes a very cool explanation on how efficient bicycling is compared to other modes of transportation. For more ideas on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, see the "Global Warming Checklist and Resources for Alamedans, created by BikeAlameda Board Member Joyce Mercado. Print it duplexed, post on your refrigerator, and check off items as you complete projects and change habits. Our special community has a wealth of resources included in this checklist to help you make a difference!
posted: Wed, 15 Aug 2007