Is driving better than cycling?

Today May 15, is Bike To Work Day in the San Francisco Bay Area. A persistent rumor claims that riding a bike is actually less efficient than driving a car if you account for the energy that goes into producing the food/drink that "fuels" a cyclist. The Sierra Club's "Mr. Green" calls bullshit on that. From the Sierra Club: 

My biking experience 

"I ride all over New York City. I wear my helmet  when I ride now. Avoid brain damage. I am not sure about riding to work. I do not have to commute far. If I did, I would take the subway."

Even with pricier commodities like beef, the biker rides cheaper than the driver. A pound and a half of cheap, greasy hamburger, sans bun, could power the cruise in question, at a lower cost than gasoline.

The ethanol "alternative"? Well, not really. Instead of burning ethanol in engines, from a transportation standpoint we're far better off ingesting the stuff. Driving 48 miles takes more than two gallons of ethanol, whereas only eight ounces of liquor, a mere half-pint of vodka, can fuel a cyclist for the same distance. Happy trails! link

Comments

[admirer]

I love how you perform the bicep pose despite the bloody knee. Hardcore...now go apply some neosporin and a band aid (LOL).

[G. Costanza]

You're a real trooper.