Bike Versus Jet
In a modern rendition of the classic fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, a group of bikers challenged the Southern California airline JetBlue to a race. When JetBlue started to offer a $4 fare for a flight from Burbank to Long Beach, a group of bikers decided to show the world that if time is money, then flying to Long Beach even for almost free, is not as great a deal as commuters might think.
Bike Path to Long Beach
The group of cycling enthusiasts, calling themselves the Wolfpack Hustle, left Burbank at 11am last Saturday and traveled most of the way to Long Beach on the bike path that runs along the Los Angeles River. They arrived safely at their destination one and one half hours later.The JetBlue passenger also left his house at 11am and arrived at the airport in Burbank about 15 minutes later, which was one hour before the flight was scheduled to leave. Before the 20 minute flight even took off the bikers were already in Long Beach. When the JetBlue passenger arrived, finally, he still had to find transportation to his final destination.
Great Exercise, Too
The cyclists realize that cycling to a business meeting rather than flying is probably not a realistic option for most people, but what they did want to demonstrate was the ease with which a cyclist can get around in Southern California on the numerous bike paths found all over. With a bit of pre-planning perhaps for some people biking could become an option. It could save businessmen and other commuters the joining fee at the health club, too.