Why do you commute by bike?

[BeerRider]

I love commuting by bike, apart from when it rains, because I hate going to the gym and the exercise I get from it helps offset my other enjoyments in life...... Food and beer!!

The main reason would definitely be the health benefit. I don't want to come home after work and have to get down to the gym to do a bit of exercise. This way I do it on the way to work and back, essentially giving me more time at home.

Last year I was working for a company which had a gym membership attached to the job, which I tried to use, but hated going to the gym. I started riding in 2-3 times a week which was 50km one way. It was a great start to the day and gave me a sense of fulfillment that the gym never gave me. The other two days I would catch the train 2/3 of the way in and then cycle the last 15km. I always finished work quite late, so it was better to catch the train home than test people's night driving.

[Dropbear20]

Because I can...I love riding and wanted to do more than 1 ride on Sunday morning. Yes, there are a heap of other reasons but really I commute by bike so I can ride more.

[Milar]

I'm almost embarrassed to say I've only started cycling to work full time this year. I've been at this house for over 5 years and at the same job all that time. My work has secure bike storage, shower and change rooms.If I go direct, it's 8.5km and a very safe route by Sydney standards. I now ride the "long" way which is a touch over 11km So why do I do it?

I'm finally fitting exercise into my schedule for virtually no time cost (3 kids under 5, demanding job, house renos and community work takes so much time)
We don't need to pay costs for owning 2 cars (~$5000 pa - nice tax free increase!)
I am more environmentally friendly
My wife loves the new body

So the real question for me is why did I think I couldn't do it earlier? To be honest I don't know anymore

Yes rain sucks, and cold mornings aren't my favourite but they are a small price to pay. Now I just need convincing to ride for fun and not just transport... maybe next year!

[Seventeen]

why? somtimes i wonder why too? for me a good ride home after work clears the head

[maDKient]

Because I love it.

Then there's health, environmental, practical, and emotional (see above ) reasons.

[themerlin]

The money is more of an issue if you need to get into the city. Saved me $500 in a few months and that's only doing 3 days a week.

[GingaNinja]

Because my wife wrote off her car and so now is using mine.

I love it that I "have to ride" but my wife keeps on giving me options out. It's not hard to resist because I do love to ride, commuting is great because you have a set destination and a specific purpose. And it gives me an excuse to enjoy a chocolate bar during the day. Pity my wife won't approve of me heading for a regular massage. Damn the papers reporting "happy ending" shops.

[tman]

Simply coz I love riding my bike. Its only a 5km commute and I can only do 2 days a week, unfortunately. The other three I drop the daughter off at daycare but I have on occasion dropped her off and gone back home to get to work by bike!

[gretaboy]

I commute for a number of reasons:

1) Distance is 45k's from home to office so I am saving heaps on petrol.

2) The exercise is great for the Mental health side and physical side..slowly dropping the weight

3) Dont have time after work to get to a gym or such due to family and such

4) Am loving the challenge of cycling and trying to better my times


Downside is that due to my route, I am pretty much risking my life every day due to the roads not being designed with cyclists in mind

[thomashouseman]

Simply coz I love riding my bike. Its only a 5km commute and I can only do 2 days a week, unfortunately. The other three I drop the daughter off at daycare but I have on occasion dropped her off and gone back home to get to work by bike!

Get one of those bike kiddie trailer thinghamies and leave it at daycare and pick up in the afternoon on the way home.

[Oxford]

Simply coz I love riding my bike. Its only a 5km commute and I can only do 2 days a week, unfortunately. The other three I drop the daughter off at daycare but I have on occasion dropped her off and gone back home to get to work by bike!

Get one of those bike kiddie trailer thinghamies and leave it at daycare and pick up in the afternoon on the way home.

yep did that myself for a few years, kids enjoy it, good workout for you and of course you get the thrill of riding everyday.

[blossy84]

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.

It's the opposite in our house too.. I wish I could get my husband to ride with me or even walk with me, but he prefers to keep the couch warm.

[blossy84]

I ride because I want to, because I like to.

[Hux]

Riding for me freshens my mind before and after work. Plus how can you compare the joy of riding against the mindless train commute

[Oxford]

Since I wrote that comment that erin quoted I've been hit by a car and suffered spinal injuries so have been banned from cycle commuting. so now I keep a bike at work, moto in and have a ride around the city path network before work. not quite the same but still feel better at work and at least the moto is still all the convenience of bicycling and half the price of public transport (BCC has free daily parking for motos in the CBD).

[Mulger bill]

I ride because I want to, because I like to. Because I must!

Fixed that for you

[jules21]

because there's no publicly funded rehab program for bike commuting.

[blossy84]

I ride because I want to, because I like to. Because I must!

Fixed that for you

perfect... thanks

[tman]

Simply coz I love riding my bike. Its only a 5km commute and I can only do 2 days a week, unfortunately. The other three I drop the daughter off at daycare but I have on occasion dropped her off and gone back home to get to work by bike!

Get one of those bike kiddie trailer thinghamies and leave it at daycare and pick up in the afternoon on the way home.

yep did that myself for a few years, kids enjoy it, good workout for you and of course you get the thrill of riding everyday.

thought about it but her daycare is further out, I have extra stuff to lug and I don't know that I trust other motorists enough to ride with her in tow. Am slowly working up to it though!

[teak81]

The exercise. And to keep the kilometers down on my car.

[Livetoride]

I think the the question should be, why wouldn't you commute by bike....

[SCF]

The exercise. And to keep the kilometers down on my car.

me too.

[dino_onabike1969]

a year ago my car packed up...i decided to purchase a bike and commute to work...the look of disbelief people's faces was comical![it is a 54km round trip commute and i work as a chef so the work hours are long and tiring!]i can honestly say i went through the whole denial process of "you won't catch me in lycra" etc...blah blah blah...this lasted about two weeks!!lol!
i have commuted in all weather conditions this year and there have been some tough days!however the feeling of riding and experiencing the freedom of the road etc..is incomparable!i have ridden around 13000km to date and if the gods are smiling on me i will continue on!!!love my bike!see you out there!!Black Giant TCR 2 Composite....dino...

[Comedian]

a year ago my car packed up...i decided to purchase a bike and commute to work...the look of disbelief people's faces was comical![it is a 54km round trip commute and i work as a chef so the work hours are long and tiring!]i can honestly say i went through the whole denial process of "you won't catch me in lycra" etc...blah blah blah...this lasted about two weeks!!lol!
i have commuted in all weather conditions this year and there have been some tough days!however the feeling of riding and experiencing the freedom of the road etc..is incomparable!i have ridden around 13000km to date and if the gods are smiling on me i will continue on!!!love my bike!see you out there!!Black Giant TCR 2 Composite....dino...

Great story Dino

[westab]

This morning I was wondering why I commute - the answer today is because I must.

Usually it is because I want to - but riding to work in the rain is OK - cleaning the bike is not fun.