Ultra-Commuter: Long-Distance Bike Commuting in Rural America

Bicycle commuting is nothing new; it’s been around for as long as bicycles have been a thing. And it may be more apparent now than ever, with the grip on our wallets and credit cards becoming increasingly tight for a multitude of reasons, that many individuals are seeking out alternative modes of daily transportation. You seemingly can’t shake a stick without knocking into YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and people ditching their cars in exchange for a more eco-friendly and healthy commute. However, virtually none of those videos, threads, blogs, etc., look at what is, in my opinion, the most overlooked aspect of bicycle commuting: the rural rider.

The U.S. Census Bureau states that 1/5 of U.S. residents, approx. 60 million, live in rural areas, which make up 97% of the total land in the U.S. These areas are generally poorer, have worse infrastructure, and are further from services than urban and suburban areas. According to the Department of Transportation, while home to 1/5 of the population, rural areas hold 68% of the Nation’s lane-miles, and according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 98% of rural residents rely on a motor vehicle for transportation.

A few more U.S. Census Bureau statistics to take into consideration:

• 9.3% of commuters drive more than one hour, one-way.

• The average commute time is 27 minutes.

So, people who live in rural areas have the most road miles, rely more on motor vehicles, have longer commutes, and generally make less overall. So why wouldn’t they ride a bicycle to work? Maybe a better question would be: Is it even possible?

Ultra-Commuter will be a new, ongoing blog series where I attempt to answer this question, along with many others, on the feasibility of long-distance bicycle commuting in rural America.