Bicyclist, transit rider and car driver to compete in commuter race

In celebration of Bike Month, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will be hosting the Sixth Annual Commuter Race between a bicyclist, a car driver and a transit rider. On Wednesday, May 26th, the competition will test the theory that a bicyclist who commutes four miles or less in Philadelphia will generally arrive before, or within a few minutes of, other commuters during rush hour.

Regardless of who comes in first, the bicycle commute has a winning combination of being affordable, healthy and a sustainable method of commuting to work.

The race begins at the corner of Frankford Ave and Master Street in the Kensington neighborhood at 8:00 a.m. and will end at the SW corner of 15th and Market Streets 15 – 25 minutes after the start of the race.

All race participants must obey the rules of the road. This year the Bicycle Ambassadors, Philadelphia’s bicycle safety outreach team, will ride along with each race participant to verify that the rules of the road were followed.  The racers are as follows:

Bicyclist:  Pat Cunnane, President of Fuji Bicycles

SEPTA rider: Nisha Mitchell

Driver:  Beth Mohan Resta, ZipCar Marketing Manager, car provided by ZipCar

Commuter Cost Analysis

Daily Cost

Bicycle:   $0.00

SEPTA:   $4.00 (or $2.90 with two tokens)

Car:         $19.66*

*Parking $15.50 (rate at 1300 Market Street garage) plus $4.16 mileage (based on AAA estimated costs of $.52 per mile)

Yearly Cost

Car:        $10,943

(According to AAA, the average cost of owning and maintaining a new car is $7,823 per year plus $3,120 in parking (based on a monthly rate at 1300 Market Street garage).) 

SEPTA:  $936 

($78 per month for a city Transpass)

Bicycle:  $260

($500 every four years for a new bike plus annual maintenance of $135)