The purpose of this research is to determine the potential carbon offset and incentives for bicycle commuting. 

Several peer reviewed studies have been conducted on the benefits and hazards of bicycle commuting. Selected research papers came from open access, peer-reviewed scientific literature and publicly funded research projects.

For every pound of gasoline combusted, 19.6 pounds of CO2 are released into the atmosphere.

The average US driver travels 3,220 miles annually in trips of short distance.

The average US driver produces 63,087 Lbs of CO2 emissions annually on local trips.

The estimated annual amount of CO2 released into our atmosphere by US drivers on short commutes comes to 6,733,295,325 tons.

Drivers in the United States alone emit enough tons of CO2 to equal the mass of 21 global, adult human populations.



Riding a bicycle for any distance has a minimal impact on the environment when compared with CO2 emissions per passenger mile of petroleum vehicles, which come out to be approximately 1 Lb per driving mile. 

Lower carbon emissions contributes to enhanced living conditions in local communities, as well as a lower global carbon ratio (measured in parts per million).


This research paper was encouraged by Prof. Peter Impara.

Research assistance and proof reading graciously provided by Dennis Mills.

Data collected from the US Department of Transportation, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Census Bureau, and several peer reviewed articles.