US households spend $7,179 a year on maintaining and driving their cars. Yet, half of American’s live within just 5 miles of their workplace. If they chose to bike to work rather than drive they could save could save a massive $10 a day and reduce household emissions by 6%. Traffic congestion alone wastes 3.9 billion gallons of gas per year in the US, whilst if you choose to bike instead you will avoid emitting any harmful toxins. If American’s in the top 11 metropolitan areas chose to bike just 50% of the time there would be numerous, positive impacts on the environment and their health:
Less air pollution. Less medical costs. Lower mortality Rates. Less car accidents. Greater physical fitness.
This in turn would generate an extra $3.5 billion due to societal health benefit because of the improved air quality and save $3.8 billion in minor health care fees due to better fitness. Just three hours of biking a week can lower the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke by 50%. Adolescents who bike are also less likely to be overweight in adulthood. Footloose and Car Free! How Biking Can Improve Your Health and the Environment | Quicken Loans
