If you think you've spotted more people on bikes than usual this week, you're not imagining things. As part of National Bike Month, activists have been promoting Bike to Work Week. Natalie Cook, grants coordinator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County, says there are several strong selling points. She says pedaling to work promotes better health, improves the environment and saves money at the pump.
"A daily four-mile bike commute would save about 66 gallons of fuel a year. The environment is really something most impacted by carbon emissions," Cook said.
Nationally, advocates say bicycling is on the rise, especially in communities that have taken steps to be more user-friendly to bikers.
Cook says biking to work is more practical than some people think.
"Everyone says 'I don't have time to go to the gym.' But bicycling is a mode of transportation and it really can get you places and it doesn't necessarily add to your time," she added.
Cook's Cornell Cooperative Extension has been working with government officials to promote biking.