Commuting - Why do you bike commute?

I see a lot of post about which bike, or how to this or how to that... But I wonder why people commute. I get the question all the time. Infact, sometimes, people assume that they know why. "Oh, you must be an eviromentalist", I get called a greenie. Some say I must be a "fitness freak". Other people have even asked me if I had somehow lost my liscence. It's funny.

But I wonder, why do I commute? Why do you?

To improve my fitness. To lose weight. The challenge.

I am at the same point I was for fitness walking 4 years ago. I started parking my car 1/2 mile from work and walking the rest. Did it once in a while. I have been walking from 2 miles out 4 times per week for the last couple of years. I am now starting to bike in from 2 miles once in a while and plan to increase that like I did the walking -- and save a lot of miles off the van at the same time :).

Kevin S.

Originally posted by William Karsten
Infact, sometimes, people assume that they know why. "Oh, you must be an eviromentalist", I get called a greenie. Some say I must be a "fitness freak". Other people have even asked me if I had somehow lost my liscence. It's funny.

Whenever people run up against someone or something they don't yet understand, they always try to make a stab at it. It's like some archeologist digging up some ancient jewelry and trying to guess what kind of spoon it must be. We is what we is, but some folks are still trying to figure us out.

I commute now because it's a great way to multitask: I get in 10 hours of aerobic exercise a week and 10 hours of commuting in the same amount of time I used to spend just doing the 10 hours of commuting.

I used to commute when I was younger because it was just the most practical mode of transport for a city-dweller with limited funds.

I stopped because I acquired a family, a horse in the suburbs, and a serious career and, eventually, diabetes, heart disease, and other maladies of sedentary middle age. Yes, I was seduced by the Dark Side.

I got my fitness back through my old love, cycling, and once I was in decent shape it became obvious that bike commuting not only was practical and desirable, but that if I'd kept doing it in the first place I'd never have gotten into that mess.

I commute because I feel great when I do and terrible when I don't. I'm currently sidelined with an injury, and very grouchy.

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
a horse in the suburbs,
RichC

You know those horses, they can really change a life. :D

When I'm in a car, I get an attitude like some invading Visigoth and dammit, nobody better get in my way or else I'll KILL you with my CAR!!! That freak's brushing her hair, doesn't she see the light changed? **HONK!** Get out of my way you stupid #&$%# before I get out of this car and wrap my hand around your.....

That's why I started commuting. There's too many of those types out there. Also,
1. Nice lookin' legs get many compliments.
2. Keeps me from smoking cigs.
3. I'm profoundly more observant on a bike than in a car. Your dull neighborhood looks much more interesting from a bike.
4. 20 minute drive to work, 30 minute bike ride to work.
5. Water is cheaper than fuel.
6. I accomplish great feats daily by climbing colossal hills.
7. Wakes me up better than coffee ever did.
8. Helps trim off the winter layers.
9. Builds endurance and increases metabolism.
and the most important reason of all
10. Because I can.

1 There is no other way I would ever get in any significant regular excercise.

2 Saves $10 per day on parking and auto costs.

3 Nobody is going to put a dent in my car if it stays in the garage.

4 Keeps the road salt off my car in winter.

5 Auto traffic lurches to a halt here when it rains or snows. Only a bike can get through under these conditions.

6 Nice feeling of accomplishment

7 I get to experience the seasons -- light, dark, cold, hot.

8 Its the only time I go outside during the week.

9 It feels so good.

10 When one of the cars goes into the repair shop, there is no hassle or disruption.

11 I enjoy rush hour.

It's simply because it's the best option. Driving a car is out of the question. I'm not buying another money pit just to sit in jammed traffic in it. The bus? Forget it. I don't think I'd live long enough to get into the city by bus. The train isn't too bad, but it gets depressing after more than a couple of days riding it in a row.

In fact, I get more comments from my colleagues if I don't ride my bike.

I do it for:

1. fitness

2. the fact that I can say Im not overweight, but 95% of my highschool buddies that cant understand why I commute are overweight.

3. I get a thrill out of the idea that not many people can make the commitment to do commuting day in and day out.

4. Feels great, keeps me going all day.

Originally posted by Allister
(ok so I'm a pedantic prick, but I note you're not averse to a little pedantry), [/B]

Should you be labeled board pendantic then?:D

I got your point!!

Some interesting replies here.

Of points that I like - the one that indicates how more observant you are on a bike than in a car... I'd have to agree that I've learned more about my nieghborhood, and in general about people while riding a bike. My *car* is exposed, so I see more than others in thier cars, but, I'm less and less inclined to drive.

Why do I commute?
I think the car says too much about me that I don't want people to assume about me.
I like city streets.
I don't want to end up fat bald and lazy.
I'm gonna be bald (biking won't solve that..), but I don't want to be fat.

Originally posted by PaulH
11 I enjoy rush hour.
What??? :confused: You enjoy rush hour?

I do it for the same reasons as everyone else.
Primarily for the exercise. I get zero at work. :(

Saves a few dollars??
What I don't spend on repairs and gas I spend on bike stuff. :D

Originally posted by William Karsten
You know those horses, they can really change a life. :D

Yeah, well, we ate it. All that red meat is really bad for you, so I had to start riding a bike instead.

RichC

Originally posted by William Karsten


Should you be labeled board pendantic then?:D



That would be pedant, not pedantic, and yes, I guess I probably should be.

Originally posted by RonH

What??? :confused: You enjoy rush hour?

I do too. If you ever want to realise the superiority of a bicycle over a car, then rush hour is the best time to do it.

Firstly for the exercise

Secondly for the fun of being outdoors

Thirdly because I get a kick out of freaking people out. :p

Not sure why I commute, but like Allistar, I get a lot of comments on the rare occasion I drive to work.


It started out as a challenge to myself, it developed into a way of life, now it's a habit and I get addicted to things easy :)

Do any of you sense that your not being taken seriously because you are in a grown up world using a childs method of transportation?

Originally posted by threadend
Do any of you sense that your not being taken seriously because you are in a grown up world using a childs method of transportation?

Well, removing the playing card, clothespin and spokey beads probably improved my credibility. :D

No, but I have had people whispering behind my back, asking each other if I had had lost my driver's license...

I commute because:

1. The expense of driving a car is an undue stress on my tight budget. I sleep better at night without it;

2. Because I'm a rebel at heart. Always have been.

3. Because I can.

4. It builds fitness into my day the natural way.

i love the thrill of skimming along with mid-morning traffic as it streams towards the heart of the city. and the reverse during the early evening.

i can set myriads of different goals for myself (avg. speed, top speed, avg. cadence, "feel", timing) each day and try to better the day before which gives me a small feeling of accomplishment by the time i get to work or come home.

on the commute home, with just a little detour, i can ride to the base of the golden gate bridge and sit and mediate; this is a reward unto itself.

many people have mentioned fitness/exercise; cycling is the one of the few aerobic workouts that i have found that doesn't bore me to sleepy tears.

i like feeling more a part of the environment rather than just moving through it.

too many weirdos on MUNI: our municipal busline!

bt

I ride my bike everywhere I go in my small little town, it's only 20x18 blocks big, and it makes no sense to give money to Hussein when I can go just as fast around town with my bike. I only use the guzzler when I absolutely have to. I only live 10 blocks from where I work at a mechanic garage. Trust me, I am the leanest one there, cept for the tweekers, and I would imagine that they would have a heart attack if they ever got on a bike, the rest are fat and lazy, sit around smoking cigs or that funny green stuff. They all take pride in their hotrods, that can go from 0-mach4 in so many seconds, but when the rod breaks down, they just use their cells phones, "come get me". Just for gags once, I came out with an old bike of mine, dropped it off, and left him there. I was put on paid leave for a week so the guy wouldn't kill me. Non-riders will never understand. I always carry my bike in my pickup when I do use it, so if it does break down, and I can't fix it right then and there, I just hop on and ride back into town, get the parts I need, and then go back out and fix it.

1. Can't afford a car and really don't like driving anyway. I'm just a nasty person behind the wheel.

2. Transit is depressing and frustrating.

3. When I'm on the bike is one of the few times in the day that I am completely comfortable with who I am and where I stand in relation my surroundings.

4. Stress relief and the release of pent up agression.

5. Physical health.

6. Mental health. (See 1 through 4)

7. Easy parking.

8. Individualism.

9. Freedom.

In no particular order:

I hated driving.

I don't need a car, so why waste the money and polute the environment?

The school kids on the train drive me to thoughts of murder.

My puppy fat turned straight into middle aged spread so getting some exercise seemed a good idea.

I enjoy it.

I like to see the wildflowers in the hedgerows.

Richard

I commute just because I like riding a bicycle, I ride it everywhere. I don't give much thought to all the other reasons, as far as excercise goes, if you ride many miles per year, you will get into shape. If you ride a loaded bike, you'll be in better shape. I just hope I can still do this when I'm in my 90's.

My commute is kind of a hodgepodge. Depending on where I am working that day, weather, amount of time available, and how tired or sore I feel, I can run, bike, take the bus or drive to work.

Running is my favorite commute. It is about 4 miles and 35 minutes to work and about 5 miles and 45 minutes home. I take a different route out and back. I bike this when I feel tired or sore. The bike commute route is about 6 miles and 25-30 minutes each way.

I also work at a place about 20 miles away. I have biked this before. It's about 1.5 - 2.0 hours each way. I do this only occasionally now, I hope to more as the summer progresses. I can drive this in about 20-30 minutes and the bus trip takes just over an hour. As I ramp up my running mileage, I may even take the bus there and run home. I would like to try that at least once. I have done runs that long, but never with a 15lb pack on my back.

As to why I don't just drive my car like normal people do: At first I did this for reasons of fitness. You can work in a good deal of "training" on a daily commute. Next, I began to loathe and despise my automobile. I realized that the whole "driving experience" for me was mostly an exercise in frustration. I came to appreciate the simplicity and self-sufficiency that bicycling and running afforded me. I now enjoy my commute. I am more relaxed, I can pay more attention to my surroundings and I feel much better about myself and others. My neighbors think that I have lost my mind, adults mostly, I think the kids, especially the younger ones, get it. Most of them still bicycle just for fun.

regards
Dan

To smell the roses, so to speak. Spending one's professional life squeezed inside a concrete box is enough torture without adding into the mix the antiseptic ride to and from work in the car.

I got to missing the smell of life, the woods, the creeks, the honeysuckle, and discovered I could recapture it all via commute to work. Also, I have racing in my sights as a longer term goal, and the daily commute enables me to knock out some training.

Cheers.

Originally posted by Allister


That would be pedant, not pedantic, and yes, I guess I probably should be.

Touche`!

I guess I should learn spell then, should I attempt to label someone!

I take it you don't swing from anything (per my original spelling).

Originally posted by Rich Clark


Yeah, well, we ate it. All that red meat is really bad for you, so I had to start riding a bike instead.

RichC

I've eaten horse before. Chewy, and kind of a maltish after taste.
Better than puppy, but not by much.

Now ostrich, there's something to behold!

Ostrich to me tastes somewhere in between a california condor and a bals eagle, with a hint of spotted owl.:D

Originally posted by William Karsten


Touche`!

I guess I should learn spell then, should I attempt to label someone!

I take it you don't swing from anything (per my original spelling).

Um you've lost me there. Pedantic is an adjective, pedant is a noun.

...

O, I see. Checking back I now see you originally spelled it 'pendantic', which up until now wasn't a word, but I suppose it could be the adjective form of 'pendant'. Usage: 'When he noticed the fraying ropes on the bridge, Indy thought to himself that this could all get dangerously pendantic very quickly.' Personally I prefer 'pendulous', but that's just me.

(ps. that should be 'learn to spell'. I'm really getting the hang of this pedantry malarkey)

[token on topic content] I second the thing about the free parking. I remember once when I had to go to the other end of town for a 'do' after work. I rode my bike rather than walk 'cause I'm a lazy bugger. I cruised up to the car park, which was full and had three or four cars waiting in line for someone to leave to free up a space. They couldn't go in, and they were blocked from backing out. They just had to wait, and wait, and wait.

Anyway, I cruised up on my bike, breezed past them, locked my to a handy rail and walked out. As I passed the guy at the front of the line, who looked like he'd been sitting there a while, I gave him a big smile and said 'I always get the best parking spots.' The look on his face was priceless.

Because driving is not fun. In fact, I get to work usually very p***** off, due to the behavior of motorists.. Bike lanes hopefully seperate me from those motoring primates.. I get sick of the race to the next red light, especially when half of that block is chocked with traffic, and you can't really speed even to the next light. MaKes me feel great when my bike can speed ahead of stopped traffic at 22 mph- unfortunately I have to breath their poisonous residue..
Because I can do it, and get to work feeling better and with a better mental attitude. In fact, I feel superior to the motoring co-workers, when I hear them complain about how awful and rude the motoring public is. Keeps my mileage way up beyond what is possible for my cycle buddies to complete.. My cycling log often is over 700 miles, as a result of my commuting..
Favorite t shirt to taunt my motoring co-workers with - as I have mentioned here before-
"Blow up Your Car...... Ride a Bike," the lettering is ringed about a wrecked car, with its wheels falling off...
A part of my cycling log indicates how much gas I estimate, I did not buy this past month, as a result of my bike commute..

I do it for the following reasons:

1) Helps me log in many miles (20 miles extra a day).

2) The route I take to work brings me through off road, and some serious traffic even though it's 10:00pm.

3) Keeps me/Gets me inshape.

4) Keeps my brain thinking positively - encourages me to get even more exercise and think about nutrition and eating healthy; like a chain reaction.

5) I love riding.

6) Saves me approx. $100 a month on TTC (Toronto's public transportation)

7) Never really respected drivers. Don't want a license. Don't want a car. I live in a huge city so everything I need is at my fingertips. The farthes I would have to ride is maybe 2 hours(extreme).

8) I know it's better for the environmet.

often in So. Cal. we let the rare rain discourage us. Totkos..That means you bike commute even in your tough winters. Proud of you..

Primarily because I enjoy it, but it keeps me fit, and de-stresses me.

I don't mind riding in the winter but I do ride less often. Sometimes the snow and cold make me to madddd. On these occasions I prefer to hop on the TTC and let someone else deal with those %&*#@%3$@ car drivers.

1) I like the strength and fitness it gives me, on and off the bike. I'm hooked.

2) It's fun and an adventure.

3) I like being different from the crowd.

4) I love the challenge.

5) The financial enslavement of driving is not necessary. The way driving destroys the environment is unacceptable.

6) Nutrition is no longer a strange word to me--I really am what I eat.

I like to arrive at work feeling fresh and smelling ripe.

Originally posted by RegularGuy
I like to arrive at work feeling fresh and smelling ripe.

I don't know about this. If you smell ripe after a nice long ride like I smell "ripe" after a nice long ride, smelling "ripe" is probably not a good thing.

I started commuting because:
1) Why pay for a car when you don't need to?
2) Why keep a car around that you're not going to use when someone else who actually needs it can get better use out of it?

I keep commuting because:
1) It gets me out in the nice fresh air and not couped up inside of a hot, sticky car.
2) I don't have to pay for gas or car insurance.
3) It's great exercise and leaves me feeling energized all of the time.
4) I love it.

Smelling "ripe" is definately a downside. I'm pushing for some showers/locker rooms on the facility where I work. My way of dealing with this now is by simply not caring, and I am having tremendous success.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
often in So. Cal. we let the rare rain discourage us. Totkos..That means you bike commute even in your tough winters. Proud of you..

Especially in Fallbrook... :P

This is pretty neat. I like the stories so far!!!

to hosehead and regular guy, I too had the same prob of being overly ripe when arriving to work, I was using a stick deoderant, and it did not seem to last very long at all, and I would have those not too sightly pit stains. I switched to a spray deoderant and antipersperant, and have had excellent luck. Rarely do I smell even remotely ripe after riding to or from work, except if it is 90+ degrees outside, then it's expected. I use right guard sport, and it seems to be the best thing I have found so far. Just be careful, once I had the trigger pointed the wrong way, and sprayed it into my right eye. The stuff dries on contact and is definitely an irritant, and was impossible to fluch, as it stuck to the surface of the eye. this just happened to be right before I was to take a bus load of senior citizens on a 180 mile trip to denver. I finally had to stop at a rest area and flush my eye, as the coating was "floating' around in my eye, and making it even harder to see. I now double check to make sure I have the thing pointed in the right direction.

I was joking about smelling ripe. In fact, when I commuted, I was working at a place where I could catch a shower.

For years I commuted because I could not afford a car and the bus was much slower. Even now motor transport is almost too expensive and buses ae even slower. I get the social contact I crave at a reasonable price. And the release of stress I need. And some of the other reasons.

After a year in Iraq I saw first hand how destructive this countries addiction to oil can be. I don't want to be a contributing factor. Beyond that, I feel so much better after being on the bike. A "cyclist" is a tag I wear proudly, people can think I'm nuts for riding to work everyday, but they are the ones missing out...

Why do I bike commute? As a teenager, I wanted some cool wheels. And considering what I could afford at the time I prefered to have a cool bike than a crappy car. The rest is history... I have a cool car now, but prefer to bike to work. And considering that I filled my gas tank yesterday at 1.37 euros per liter (about $6.25 per gallon), I'll keep biking. And besides, it's fun, and it keeps me in shape.

Cheers

Because it makes me feel good. And I hate driving. Motorists are so rude. I hate buying gasoline. It is destroying the world.

I bike commute for a lot of reasons...
to avoid poisoning the air, stay fit, burn calories to be able to eat a lot of whatever I want, I hate driving and traffic and all the idiots driving like maniacs, ...
Then there's the matter of wars for oil, peak oil, etc.

1) I'm a cyclist and this allows me to ride more often.
2) I need to get/stay in shape.
3) I'm more pleasant to be around.

-James

Because I like not feeding my savings to a 2 ton hunk of metal.
Because I don't need the abovementioned hunk of metal to haul around the 400 pound ass I don't have.
Because drivers tend to be selfish, reckless, rude and stupid.
Because I'de rather guzzle gatoraid than gasoline.
Because gatoraid doesn't come from the middle east.
Because I get to work feeling like a superhuman.
Because I can laugh at my stupid, lardassed coworker's lame excuses to drive, knowing none of them are true.
Because the smartest people don't drive.
Because my clothes will still fit me next year.
Because I always get the best parking! :D
Because in this city, I can get there sooner on a bike.
Because my bike can use any path as a shortcut.
Because bikes are far easier to fix.
Because a decent bike is worth more, runs on less, and lasts longer than a POS Ford.
Because I had a reason to laugh like I never laughed before as the drivers were stuck on the freeway going 2 PMH till their gas ran out, then were stuck with a useless SUV when hurricane Wilma came.

I ride my bike everywhere for one reason: I love riding my bike! I am really just in love with biking, just like when I was a little kid. Sure there's fitness, the environment, and all that other jazz, and those help...but when it comes right down to it, there's very few places I'd rather be than on my saddle.

1. My '93 Ford F-250 gets 9.5 mpg. Only runs good on premium. It stays home and waits for me to put
the camper on it in Spring. As a result, it only has 50,000 miles on it.

2. It's only 3 miles to work, although it's 'C' uphill for half that. Pretty good huff.

3. I used to be an over-the-road-trucker. Blew up from 220 to 268 in two years. Got scared, quit and
dusted off the old Trek. Down to a reasonably fit 232 in seven months. Very good on hills now.

4. I've always been a bit noncompliant.

5. My wife likes the tighter butt and noticeably larger quads. Problem: They make the other stuff look
even more diminutive. :cry:

Very interesting question and even more interesting ansers.

Data Summary
===============================
ENERGY
energizing fitness -- 16


MOOD
mood: upper generator -- 11
fun -- 9

SAVINGS
money savings -- 12
time savings -- 1

INDEPENDENCE
challenge -- 8

OTHER
weight control -- 2


Comments:
1-- I don't understand why more don't see time savings from commuting. Please help me understand.

2-- Weight control is very small.

3-- I don't think cyclo-commuting advocates emphasize mood boosts of biking.