When you think of a typical morning commute, what comes to mind? For most, it’s consumed by the frustration of morning rush hour. But instead of sitting in traffic, I hop on my bike and pedal to school. And I’m not alone on the road—I am joined by 50 percent of my school district on bikes! This routine is only possible because I live in one of the most bikeable cities in the Bay Area of California: Palo Alto.
Palo Alto is an affluent, progressive city, which allows residents to access such supportive biking infrastructure. Our bicycle programs have resulted in many economic and environmental benefits, such as 1,542,441 fewer vehicle miles traveled and 603 fewer tons of greenhouse gas emissions!
But why are the most bikeable cities also the most affluent? All cities should invest in and encourage biking as a form of transport over car-centric development, because making cycling accessible creates cleaner communities, healthier lives for residents, and is cost-efficient for everyone.
It’s no secret that cars are harmful to our health and environment. According to the EPA, the average passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming) per year. Cars also emit volatile organic compounds that form ground-level ozone. Breathing ozone can cause a variety of respiratory health issues, especially in children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing lung disease. Particulate matter, produced by cars, is so small that it can be inhaled and enter your bloodstream.
While electric vehicles (EVs) reduce tailpipe emissions, we are still overlooking another major source of pollution that comes with cars: tires.
Tires produce harmful pollution as they wear down. Millions of tons of tire-wear pollution accumulate in soil, water, and our food supply every year. This accounts for 28 percent of all microplastic pollution! Tires also contain chemical additives such as zinc oxide and 6PPD, both of which are known to be harmful to fish and linked to massive die-offs.
EV vehicles actually make this issue worse. The batteries in EVs make them heavier than gas cars, so they wear down their tires faster, generating more pollution.
In comparison, riding a bike produces zero emissions. A 2021 study found that people who biked had 84 percent lower carbon emissions from their daily travel than those who did not. Since bikes are much lighter than cars, they are also much better in terms of tire pollution. In a 2025 study using data from Germany, it was calculated that abrasion from mountain bike tires was 3.64 grams per 100 kilometers, while abrasion from cars and trucks was 12 and 94.9 grams per 100 kilometers, respectively. The same study found that bikes contribute less than one percent of tire-wear pollution, while cars contribute about 30 to 35 percent.
These environmental benefits are just half of the bigger picture. Biking saves money for cities and residents, improves public health, and benefits local businesses. It takes $25 million to pay for 1–5 miles of highway work, but the same amount can fund 40 or more miles of bicycle infrastructure. This infrastructure reduces crash risk by 90 percent compared to a major street without protections and makes roads safer for all street users,
including drivers and pedestrians.
Additionally, every dollar invested in biking infrastructure can generate between two and twenty dollars in return, some of which come from reduced health care costs.
Biking is a form of active transportation, meaning it is powered by the person riding. When you bike, you can save money and get a good workout! Increased physical activity reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. People who bike regularly can experience up to 55 percent lower health costs and 32 percent fewer sick days. When many residents choose to bike, these benefits become huge for a city. Portland, Oregon’s $64 million investment in biking infrastructure will save an estimated $1 billion in healthcare costs by 2040.
Local businesses also benefit economically when biking is accessible. A report from PeopleForBikes and Alliance for Biking & Walking highlights that protected bike lanes encourage people to use bikes for errands. When this happens, they become “regulars”, as they stop by often and spend as much as or more per month than people who arrive in cars. Bikes are also space–efficient– ten customers who arrive by bike fit in the parking space of one customer who arrives by car.
So, it’s clear that biking is a win for everyone. The real challenge is making it accessible. A survey by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that 43 percent of US Americans live in communities without bike paths or bike lanes that protect them on roads shared with motorists. In communities that lack complete protective biking infrastructure, almost half of the adult population (48 percent) is dissatisfied with the community design for bike safety. However, when both bike paths and lanes are implemented, the rate of dissatisfaction drops to 11 percent.
What will happen if nothing changes? We live in a world incredibly dependent on cars. If we continue to design our cities around them, we will continue dealing with traffic, air pollution, rising health care costs, and a transportation system that leaves many without a fast and safe alternative to driving.
As someone who lives in a bike-friendly community, I make biking a part of my daily life. I don’t just use my bike to get to school; I bike to the grocery store with my dad and to the Sunday farmer’s market with my mom. Sometimes we bike just because it’s a nice day outside. You can get anywhere in Palo Alto safely and quickly on a bike. It’s amazing what open air, sunshine, and exercise can do for your mood, too. Everyone deserves access to biking and its benefits.
So if you want change in your city, here are some things you can do. A powerful step is to speak up and let local governments know we want safer biking infrastructure. You can attend public meetings. You can call your local city council representatives, the Department of Transport, or the Public Works Department. You can participate in transportation surveys. Bike locally whenever you can. If you’re a teen like me, bike to school! You can get your parents involved and advocate for safer bike routes in school zones. Whatever the action is, when our cities see demand, they are more likely to prioritize change. Let’s push for a greener, healthier future that we can safely traverse on two wheels.
The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Saving the Sea Organization. This piece was written as part of the Emergent Fellows Program, our summer fellowship in environmental policy and advocacy.