Are bicyclists in danger of breathing huge levels of toxic fumes? According to a new Men’s Health article we are. It goes like this, we’re exercising and breathing up to ten times our normal rate while pedaling, so auto emissions are also coming in ten-times as fast.
However there are solutions. One doctor is quoted saying, “By all means, keep running, but for goodness’ sake, stop running along that busy street. If you run just a block away, your risk will be significantly lower.” The same holds true for bicycling.
Bicycle Boulevards and off-street paths offer this pragmatic solution. Being one block off a major street will significantly decrease your exposure, as well as increase your safety, and in my view your enjoyment too.
If riding on the busy street, the article continues, “common sense mitigating tactics include standing in front of the line of traffic at stoplights and busy intersections.�
“The most effective and logical response to air pollution, of course, is to drive less, consume less, and thereby reduce what you are, directly and indirectly, pumping into your city’s atmosphere. No one is greener in this regard than bicycle commuters — and no one, ironically, breathes more traffic exhaust.â€?
That’s right, no one is greener than US. Keep on riding (on low-traffic routes) as a solution to that pollution.
Diesel fumes are the worst and the inclination for people these days to think diesel is better than gas is disheartening. I hope the city addresses this issue before we’re all breathing even more carcinogenic fumes and particles.
Riding up downtown Broadway in the morning is a health hazard. I often cover my mouth or just pull over for a while. A possible ban on diesel trucks and buses (Raz Transportation buses are disgusting!) downtown would be a good start.
Good in theory, however, not alway possilbe. There are several spots in my commute where my only option is a bike lane on a heavy-use street. It also seems hard to avoid cars anywhere near bridges. The steel has the bike only option, but getting to the promenade on Interstate requires a lot of exhaust, and so does
the Broadway Bridge.
yeah, Barbur blvd. escpecially going uphill, you’ll suck in a lot of stuff.
There is future hope for diesels. The diesel trucks coming out in 2007 are much lower-emmission. Same goes for diesel technology for cars sold in europe for some time now. Bio-diesel is somewhat better than petro-diesel.