Too many causes to choose from? Bicycle advocacy has something for everyone, and it doesn't even have to cost you anything. (Top 10 are in no particular order)

2. Climate and Environment. Transportation accounts for over 70% of oil consumed in the U.S. Because of its near-total dependence on fossil fuels, the U.S. transportation sector is responsible for about a third of our country’s climate-changing emissions. Therefore, bicycling is an easy way to reverse the damage.
3. Save Lives, and Money. In direct costs, the average American spends about $9,000, or 15% of their income a year on transportation ... mainly on cars of course. If you add in the costs of resource (oil) wars, the added cost of healthcare from air and water pollution and climate change, and other externalities, the numbers skyrocket from there. Therefore, you can save thousands of dollars every year by replacing car trips - at least the shorter ones - with bicycle trips.
4. Health Benefits. Everyone wants to be healthier, right? Bicycling promotes weight loss, improved vitals, and can add years to your life. Simply put, it's an easy, fun, and inexpensive way to stay healthy and feel better.
5. Reduce Congestion. Traffic delays are one of the top complaints of Americans. While bicyclists also must ride in traffic, there can be many advantages. As cars queue up at red lights waiting through multiple phase changes, bicyclists can filter to the front and avoid the agony of stop-and-go traffic, and breathing the fumes of the tailpipe in front of them. There’s definitely a great feeling involved when you coast past dozens of motorists stuck in traffic and then continuing unimpeded when the light turns green. And think of the emissions saved!

7. Safety and Quality of Life. No place on Earth is enhanced by the presence of cars. People don’t like the pollution, noise, congestion, and unsafe streets. These negatives decline when more folks choose to walk or bike - even occasionally. Communities that accommodate Active Transportation are healthier, more vibrant, have stronger local economies, and retain higher property values.

9. Parking Woes. Cities and many suburbs can be dense places. Cars don’t exactly fit well in them. Rather than search endlessly for car parking, you can usually lock your bike up outside the entrance of your destination and skip the hassle altogether.

5 things you can do to support Bicycle Advocacy in Delaware, no money down!
- Join 1st State BIKES by simply following us on Facebook, Twitter, RSS feed, or subscribe via email (see our homepage, lower right).
- Respond to action alerts supporting bicycle safety, including petitions and public workshops.
- If you live in a city, join a local advisory committee. Newark, Wilmington, and Dover now have bicycle committees and/or plans.
- Attend Bringing Education and Safety Together (B.E.S.T.) meetings, and consider how you might help promote Active Transportation.
- Periodically check in with the Delaware Bicycle Council, and stay abreast of projects and events happening around the State.
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