great idea - but must be a hard sell in the US

I think that the government should spend s some money on educating drivers about cyclist rights. More people would commute if they were not afraid of driver reactions.

Go Lance!!

Everyone should at least try it.
Instead of car pooling, maybe try group rides to work for a more polite and focused critical mass of people every morning and evening ride home. Safety in numbers.

There is no excuse not to try it at least.

vsk

maybe this would be a 'hard-sell' in the rest of the country, but here, in Austin, it is being eagerly anticipated.
we are the 'hippy' city of the US, it's perfectly acceptable to wear sandals to the office, healthy foods and eco-products are everywhere. people are always out being active, walking where they need to go if they can.
do i think Austin could do more, sure, just like anywhere else there are people who won't change no matter what, but this city is already pretty green and takes pride in its environment.

if you have to live in texas, this is the place to be.

I don't know. I've tried the commute by bicycle route, but it isn't what it's all cracked up to be. First of all, I don't have Lance Armstrong's build. I'm fairly overweight and I would need to get a recumbent bike. Second, the commute is 34 miles both ways. Though I will be healthy, commute is tooo long.

This is probably the only time in my life that I will be wishing I lived in Texas.

I love bike commuting, and I only *WISH* something like that would happen here

Gerald -
is that 34 miles each way or round trip?

I do 11 miles each way. I lost 40 pounds doing it with a little gym thrown in here and there (240 - 200, but now am 214, gotta get focused).

If it's 34 miles, maybe there's a mass transit option that could be mixed in or a drive to the outskirts and ride in the rest of the way?

17 miles might be still stiff for a beginner. Try the route on the weekends to see how it is or maybe do it on a Friday to start. Are there big hills? That's tuff I will admit. Are the roads scary? Is there a direct route?

Don't be too convinced about the recumbent, sometimes stretching the back is good for it. The riding position doesn't have to be too radical, you can do it more upright. A modern saddle does take about 2 - 4 weeks to 'get used to' but after you do you will find a firm saddle is more comfortable that one marked 'plush' as long as the support is in the right places. Build up endurance slowly on the weekends, it's not a race for money.

Good Luck,

vsk

If I had an easier and safer route to the office, I would.

Believe it or not, the more efficient alternative may be for me to:
1. put on the running shoes and run in!
2. work from home, get a job closer to home.

Great post, though. Live strong indeed.

If anyone can do it, Lance can.

it takes a bit of determination to do it on long dark mornings, but now that it's lighter, i love commuting by bike!

Would never work here on LONg ISland. Too many SUV drivers willing to run down anybody who gets in their way and drive off.

I have been bike commuting for 20 years and I definitely see more interest from the general public now than ever before. People ask me questions about bike commuting all the time these days; I don't just mean coworkers and neighbors, but also motorists who see me on my route. I am really glad to see the increased interest in the idea of cycling to work. Hopefully what Lance is doing will only generate more interest in transportational cycling.

I ride my bike to work all the time, it's about 14 miles each way if I take the back roads. Cars are not to friendily about bikers here in DC. I have had a few cars brush me and quite a few people using some choice words my way. I wish more people would bike to work. I get to work on my bike just as fast and I feel pretty good once I am there.

Frankly, I think Americans whine too much. I'm sorry to be so harsh, but it's true. I'm slightly overweight -- by Western standards -- and I bike and bus to work and I bike to the grocery store, restaurants, friends' houses and so on in one of the most car-dependent regions in the nation: South Florida. I am from Jamaica and people use the bicycle there even with crazy drivers. I used to give in to car dependency, too, until I just stopped worrying about what people think about me, got me a good bike (not the Walmart/Target crap), and like another poster recommended, I conditioned myself on the weekends to prepare me for the week, and within weeks and I was zooming past cars with my over-weight self on my thick-wheeled cruiser (which ever one claims is so inefficient and slow). Just get out there and do it. Also, you have to develope a thick skin. Drivers WILL try and intimidate you, but you have every right to be there. Stand your ground, obey the law and be confident. You can do it!