Why do you commute by bike?

[Oxford]

Of course, this question should be answered with a question:
"What does it cost you per week to own and operate your car/s?"

<snip>

Am sure there's a stack more reasons, and if cycle ways were better developed and safer, cycling numbers would increase dramatically.

Absolutely, took some convincing with the wife, but we became albeit for a month, a one car, one motorbike (me only) plus bikes (me only) family. We are buying a second car again but the current car will go to a daughter taking us back to where I want to be. One Car, One Motorbike. Car for wifey as she has no transport options and is on 24hr call, moto and bikes for me (and for me to take wifey for fun weekend rides on the moto).

[BrisVegas]

I need the exercise.
It's cheaper and just as fast as public transport.
To allow us to get rid of one of the cars.

[find_bruce]

Because I hate car drivers and I am doing everything in my power to ensure their frustrating and interminable trip will take at least 3 seconds longer - or at least I am sure that's what they think.

It seems the only thing they hate more than me occupying any piece of "their" road is the twisty windy downhill bit where they can't catch me - I may be old and fat, but I am only old fat and slow on the uphill bits.

The reality of course is a bit less dramatic - because I can, it's quicker, cheaper, more convenient, good exercise, I have a safe route, I have showers & storage at work.

[martinjs]

Good question!, fear of dieing young, fear of old age and the the feeling of being alive cycling gives me.
49 years of age and feeling better then I did 5 years ago, riding to me is a means to an end, long life and happiness and so for it's working in spades.

Martin

[discrepancy]

Because my camel hates the early starts.

[themerlin]

Because the $10 I save a day on public transport goes towards a new bike.
I need to off set carbon by sticking it in frame.

[themerlin]

How far is your ride to work anyway?

[goneriding]

And another of the reasons

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-commuters-delayed-after-train-signal-failure-20110711-1h9gx.html


this cements it!

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/major-train-delays-face-commuters-tonight-20110711-1hacz.html

[Marto]

Because it is fun whizzing about on a bike. There are lots of other benefits, but it all stems from that.

How far is your ride to work anyway?

20km in, 22km home. There is not some tectonic shift every day, but I go a different way to avoid some dodgy right turns etc.

[MattyK]

appended to my last post:

[waynohh]

Average speed by bike: 28km/h
Average speed by car: 20km/h

Add showers to that and it takes the exact same time about 1 hr.

[Comedian]

Commuting by bike is the only way to go. Quick, fun, and convenient. It seems like a long way to start but after a bit it gets easy and you wonder why you haven't always been doing it this way.

[Oxford]

Average speed by bike: 28km/h
Average speed by car: 20km/h

Add showers to that and it takes the exact same time about 1 hr.

I wouldn't drive a car as its CBD and the parking cost would kill me, but it would not be slower, Brisbane traffic is not that bad just yet. We do have motorcycle parking so the intention is to come to an arrangment (with other moto users inthe office) where I will ride the moto once a week to carry in the weeks clothing etc.

My usual cop out if I do not ride is the bus. I have compared both options and this is how it pans out. Either way if I start at 6am the following occurs:

Bus. Iron shirt/trousers, shower, shave, dress, walk around the corner (150 metres) to bus stop, catch first bus at 6:31am, depending on buses may change near the city to get a bus that stops outside the office, otherwise its about a 500 metre walk at worse to office, arrive between 7:10 and 7:20. Cost ~$9.50

Bike. Ride (from the house), arrive at cycle centre, shower, shave, iron shirt/trousers, dress, walk 200 metres to the office, arrive between 7:10 and 7:20. Cost ~ $4.00 (not including wear and tear on bike)

So less walking when I ride, free daily exercise, although there is wear and tear on bike I do not need a gym membership or some other thing to encourage me to exercise so I actually save money there as well. Best of all it is time neutral.

[BRLVR.v2]

Because you don't keep fit driving a car!

[martinjs]

Good question!, fear of dieing young, fear of old age and the the feeling of being alive cycling gives me.
49 years of age and feeling better then I did 5 years ago, riding to me is a means to an end, long life and happiness and so for it's working in spades.

Martin

Just a quick follow up re some others reasons, being in a country town and although I'm only 7.5k's from work, here at least anyone at my distance or further out would be quicker if they went by car or motorcycle due to our roads being mostly 100kph speed limit and lack of congestion.
So other than fitness and saving money on car, I actually lose time by riding to work. Harder to convince out of townies to commute by pushbike.
My morning ride is between 20 to 30k's so I have to go out of town more to get the wanted distance. Not such a bad thing.

Martin

Martin

[Hamster]

Why do I commute? Four reasons really:

1. Fitness;
2. Health;
3. Saves Time;
4. Saves Money

Let me explain. The fitness reason is obvious, nothing like peddling a heavy mountain bike for developing the heart, lungs and legs. I have see far too many guys younger than me come down with all sorts of life-style related health problems.

Almost 10 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with all the associated health issues (obstructive sleep apena, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and failing kidneys) . Currently, apart from the blood pressure medication I am off all medication. The bike isn’t the only reason for the turnaround but it is a large part of the reason.

Well riding the bike turns a 30 minute drive into a 45 minute cycle so I’m actually down ½ an hour per day. However I have achieved my daily exercise so no need to go to a gym or for a walk or anything else. All things considered riding the bike is at worst time-neutral and probably saves time.

As I still own a car so the only savings I get are less fuel, reduced wear & tear and less frequent servicing. On the cost side there is bike servicing, clothing, replacement tyres, tubes etc. I figure that riding is probably only cost neutral. However, I don’t need to join a gym and taking a longer-term view the economic benefits of being healthier far outweigh the cost of an occasional bike tyre.

Oh, a fifth reason is that the sunrises over Moreton Bay can be truly magnificent.

[Lizzy]

Most if not all of the above! Sitting in that freeway logjam would crack me in a day. I arrive calm and energised instead of harried, frustrated and moaning about parking.

[Xponti]

Why?

Because I own a bike
Because I would rather ride in the rain than ride in a train
Because it keeps me fit

But most of all BECAUSE I CAN!

[Mugglechops]

Of course, this question should be answered with a question:
"What does it cost you per week to own and operate your car/s?"

<snip>

Am sure there's a stack more reasons, and if cycle ways were better developed and safer, cycling numbers would increase dramatically.

Absolutely, took some convincing with the wife, but we became albeit for a month, a one car, one motorbike (me only) plus bikes (me only) family. We are buying a second car again but the current car will go to a daughter taking us back to where I want to be. One Car, One Motorbike. Car for wifey as she has no transport options and is on 24hr call, moto and bikes for me (and for me to take wifey for fun weekend rides on the moto).

I went back to one car and one motorbike in 2008, then last year I went to 1 car. My wife drives the whole 3kms to work (she only works 2 week days so I use the car if I need it)while I ride 13km. Still can't convince her to start cycling.

Going back to having a moto soon because I miss having one. Will just be a weekend toy though and not a commuter.

[il padrone]

My wife drives the whole 3kms to work (she only works 2 week days so I use the car if I need it)while I ride 13km. Still can't convince her to start cycling.

Forget cycling, that is walking distance. Get her to do it - for her health and exercise, tell her it'll keep her slim

[zephy]

interesting reading.... living rurally i've no real idea about traffic, pt or commuting..... I work from home so walk to work but ride 10-30km a day for all the reasons mentioned plus the fresh air, the feel of gliding along the road effortlessly (doesn't happen often - particularly on the heavy old mtb!! but sometimes) and the shear pleasure of just being phyisically able to cycle..... just being "out there"....

plus "I have a dream" of either riding to Perth or up to Darwin... bugger it, to ride to Perth AND up to Darwin


.

.

[Oxford]

My wife drives the whole 3kms to work (she only works 2 week days so I use the car if I need it)while I ride 13km. Still can't convince her to start cycling.

Forget cycling, that is walking distance. Get her to do it - for her health and exercise, tell her it'll keep her slim

Seriously IP are you married? That is going to be one ugly conversation.

[il padrone]

Seriously IP are you married? That is going to be one ugly conversation.

Well, yes. But it's my wife who is the one that pulls the bike out to do the shopping, ride to church and who goes for a regular daily walk.

[Mugglechops]

I have been trying for 4 years without any luck to get her to ride or walk.

Have given up now.

[Oxford]

Seriously IP are you married? That is going to be one ugly conversation.

Well, yes. But it's my wife who is the one that pulls the bike out to do the shopping, ride to church and who goes for a regular daily walk.

Yes but you are the exception it would seem. I wish I could get my wife interested in cycling, but not to be unfortunately, she like the moto version only.