“I’ve been living car-free in the area for a few years now and have tried a myriad of ways to lower my carbon footprint…COVID has pushed me to my limits on how I should act.”
– Tim Karfs, Rider Engagement Lead at WE-cycle

It hasn’t been an easy transition to stay safe and socially-distant, endlessly wash our hands, and wear a mask in public. So when a coffee shop refuses my reusable coffee mug because of health and safety reasons, more often than not, I’m willing to use the throwaway/paper/plastic cup. COVID has demanded a lot of mental bandwidth and making an effort to reduce waste feels small in comparison to everything else that’s going on. As we continue to do our best under the circumstances, it’s important to recognize that this setback isn’t limited to single-use containers or to myself. The pandemic has caused millions of people to change behaviors and we risk cancelling out all the environmental good that we’ve worked hard for in recent years.

Transportation is no different: the sector is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the US and light duty vehicles i.e. cars and trucks are the primary cause of this (EPA, 2020). Due to COVID, the reduction of public transportation services, rideshare/carshare, and carpooling has resulted in a huge uptick in single-occupant vehicle (SOV) use. As witnessed last month when I-70 was closed due to the Grizzly Creek Fire and traffic was routed up Independence Pass, we are receiving diminishing returns from driving. With local traffic conditions returning to normal and with few alternatives that are both convenient and safe, it appears that we’re becoming more dependent on cars than before.

SOV congestion is a noticeable spillover of the pandemic and (for now) dealing with the future consequences of driving fossil-fuel powered vehicles has taken a back seat. In these interesting times, it’s easier and human nature to opt for decisions that have known and already predetermined outcomes. As the widely-used phrase goes: we’re creatures of habit. Wake up, turn the coffee maker on, eat breakfast, get dressed, place the key in the ignition and drive to work. It’s not as straightforward as conserving electricity or eating less meat but we need to pay attention to how much we’re driving. In terms of pound for pound impact, one of the most compelling ways we can reduce our individual carbon footprint is to prioritize driving less. As an advocate for bike commuting, the benefits of riding bikes around town instead of driving can be distilled to a simple calculation of 1 mile pedaled offsets 1 pound of carbon emissions output.  If you’re like me and have noticed that you’ve been ignoring your environmental values then now is the time to address them.  Make a plan to replace short in-town car trips with bike rides. Below you’ll find four simple behavior change principles designed to nudge you and even your most stubborn friends to get back on the (bike) saddle and ride before winter arrives.

As an advocate for bike commuting, the benefits of riding bikes around town instead of driving can be distilled to a simple calculation of 1 mile pedaled offsets 1 pound of carbon emissions output.  If you’re like me and have noticed that you’ve been ignoring your environmental values then now is the time to address them.  Make a plan to replace short in-town car trips with bike rides. Below you’ll find four simple behavior change principles designed to nudge you and even your most stubborn friends to get back on the (bike) saddle and ride before winter arrives.

	Remove barriers to biking: WE-cycle is doing our best to provide equity and access to bikes for everyone in the community. Fare-free rides remove the most upfront barrier to biking…the cost. A FREE Ride Pass grants riders an opportunity to use a bike for transportation. If you or your friends are on the fence about riding a bike more regularly to work or around town for errands, use WE-cycle as a risk-free way to get started.
	Highlight the costs of driving: Cars are usually the second most expensive item for American households behind their mortgage or rent. It’s important to acknowledge the often invisible and sunken costs associated with ownership, the emotional and physical burdens of sitting in traffic, vehicle noise, finding parking, the cost of gas and unexpected repairs. If the environment isn’t the biggest motivator, then factor the average cost of driving which according to the AAA is $0.61/mile (AAA, 2018) or more than $50/day from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and back.
	Don’t get hung up on setbacks: Behavior change isn’t easy but feel confident that we’re currently experiencing the single largest behavior change event of our lifetimes. Avoid falling in the trap of thinking that it’s too late to start something new. It’s cliché but start small and reward yourself (or friends) along the way.
	Become a champion to your friends: I routinely find myself in conversations explaining that yes I have 3 bikes and yes I still use bikeshare for one-way trips. The most important factor in an individual’s decision-making process is a successful proof of concept from their friends. If you’ve found a reason to ride a bike or WE-cycle instead of driving then tell your friends!