The Chainlink

Environmental Factors When Riding

Right now I'm working on an article about the Cowalunga Bike Tour and it got me thinking about environmental factors we experience riding as cyclists (especially in the city). 

I've been worried about the water fountains and the lead they found when testing the water. I've pretty much sworn off drinking from the water fountains now.

Also, as someone that has asthma, the air quality can be a factor when I ride. I was wondering who else is thinking/worrying about these issues? 

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Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on May 24, 2017 at 9:56am

I try to maintain a good distance behind buses at intersections so as not to breathe exhaust fumes. And I'll pause my breathing/cover my mouth and nose when passing a construction site or road crew when there's obvious crap flying around in the air. I also plug my ears going past loud noises like leaf blowers, jackhammers, etc. or when passed by an emergency vehicle.

Riding mostly in the city makes it tough to avoid these things.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 24, 2017 at 10:30am

I have asthma, which was definitely aggravated by diesel from buses and trucks. The bus situation (and threat from vehicle exhaust overall) is MUCH better than it was 20 years ago, when we didn't have all the hybrid and electric vehicles out there. I watch for nasty diesel exhaust and try to keep my distance from it.

Permalink Reply by Marcelo Marcos on May 24, 2017 at 11:32am

This past winter I had the chance to head back home and I was surprised by the amount of pollution (see picture below). My hometown is similar in size to Chicago, but the air quality is substantially worse. I used to have a lot of sinus issues before and that all stopped when I got to Chicago.

I have to say this city is super clean for its size. Unfortunately though, the wind, pollen, and particles in the air these last few weeks finally got to me and I've had a hard time shaking a sinus infection. 

I also used to be bummed out that there are no hills in Chicago but now I've realized the wind can sometimes act as an incline. Some windy riding days can be as excruciating as climbing 3,000 feet back home. 

(Pollution is mostly due to car exhaust, there's not great mass transportation options, and rock quarrys being dug up not far from the city.)

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 24, 2017 at 12:29pm

"the wind can sometimes act as an incline."

LOL! Good attitude. :) And on the lakepath you might even get to bike "uphill both ways" on your commute. ;)

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on May 25, 2017 at 11:11am

Here's the CowaLUNGa article about the ride:

http://www.thechainlink.org/profiles/blogs/featured-ride-cowalunga-... 

I really love interviewing organizations and riders that have such a passion for important work like this. Writing a piece like this is a labor of love.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on May 25, 2017 at 11:44am

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7591177 Measuring pollutants in blood samples of drivers and bicyclists.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on May 25, 2017 at 11:59am

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