More bicyclists in New York City

From WCBS-TV, New York, 06.07.07:

With the price of gas steadily rising and city streets so congested, some New Yorkers are choosing a more active, though more dangerous form of transportation: bicycling.

Though he has been hit twice while bicycling from his Brooklyn home to his midtown practice, Dr. Steven Weiss still chooses not to take a taxi, finding that the monetary and environmental benefits outweigh the risk of getting hurt. "I save, if I took a taxi, six thousands bucks," he said. "It clears my head going back and forth from work. No greenhouse emission."

Dr. Weiss is one of 120,000 New Yorkers that bike to work daily. (Read more. Includes video.)

This report interviews a pair of people on the street, who express reluctance to try bicycling because of traffic danger. This is perhaps the most common reason non-bicyclists cite. New York City plans to add 200 miles of bike lanes in next two years, according to this WCBS report.

I wonder how many bike commuting converts are switching modes from transit (as I did) rather than from driving. The doctor interviewed here apparently relied on cabs prior to taking up bicycling.

Image: Hugg.com.
Visit: Transportation Alternatives, NYC
Visit: Times Up!
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site