Calculator Calculations

174 lbs is the average weight of an adult in the U.S.

SOURCE: Gallup, In U.S., More Would Like To Lose Weight Than Are Trying To, J. Jones, 2009

Equation for calories burned by bike

  • 0.061 calories burned/minute/lb of body weight (while biking at 12 mph)
  • 5 minutes to bike 1 mile
  • 0.061 (5 miles x 5 minutes/mile = 25 minutes) x 174 lbs = 265.35 calories burned
  • 0.061 x 25 x 174 = 265.35
Miles is the variable; all other values constants.
Source: nutristrategy.com

Equation for calories burned by foot

  • 0.042 calories burned/minute/lb of body weight (while walking at 4 mph)
  • 15 minutes to walk 1 mile
  • 0.042 (2 miles x 15 minutes/mile = 30 minutes) x 174 lbs = 219.24 calories burned
  • 0.042 x 30 x 174 = 219.24
Miles is the variable; all other values constants.
Source: nutristrategy.com

Cost savings

  • Cost of driving is $0.50 per mile.
Source: IRS business rate for mileage is 50 cents for 2010

Greenhouse gas emission equivalent  (CO2e)

CO2e refers to carbon dioxide equivalent. It is a measurement that takes into account other greenhouse gas emissions like methane, perfluorocarbons and nitrous oxide and measures them in terms of carbon dioxide.

  • The average car in the US gets 19.8 MPG* and produces 1.192 pounds** of CO2e per mile.
*Source: 2005 Highway Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Division
**Source: http://www.google.org/recharge/index.html

Equation for CO2e kept out of the atmosphere when using active transportation

  • 1.192 x miles of active transportation =  CO2e not emitted into the atmosphere.