Thursday, May 29, 2008
Start: 7:40 AM at Connecticut Muffin, 423 Myrtle Ave. @ Clinton Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Finish: 8:10 AM at Union Square, NW corner of Union Square East and 14th St., Manhattan

Excellent photo and interview opportunities at finish.

Bicycling is increasingly the most affordable way to get around in NYC, but is it also the fastest? On Thursday, the City will find out as Bike Month NYC comes to a dramatic close with the 7th Annual Great NYC Commuter Race, a contest to see what mode of transportation gets New Yorkers around quickest—bicycles, subways or cars. This year's event pits three commuters against each other in a race from Fort Greene, Brooklyn to Union Square in Manhattan.

Jamie Favaro, a social worker, plans to ride her bike to victory, "Not only does biking save money and keep you fit, I'm going to prove it's the fastest way between any two points in NYC."

April Green, who works at an art foundation, is counting on the MTA to get her there first. "New York is a transit town, and my bus-subway combo will get me to Union Square with time to spare."

Emmanuel Fuentebella, a photographer, has a sobering view of his chances as a driver. "I know the car has never won, but since gas is $4.50 a gallon this year, don't I deserve a break?"

According to 2000 Census figures, New Yorkers have the longest average commute in the country, about 45 minutes. However, the average bicycle commute in New York City only takes 30 minutes.

Cycling is booming in NYC with more than 130,000 taking to their bikes every day. The NYC Department of Transportation will have doubled the bike network by 2009, and new innovative lanes like the protected cycle-track on 9th Avenue are growing ridership even further.

Transportation Alternatives is a 6,000 member non-profit organization advocating for better bicycling, walking and sensible transportation in New York City.

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