Commuting - annual income, and willingness to bike commute

I hope this thread won't be considered offensive, though it might be a sensitive issue.

what is your annual income.
is it below, or above average? (depending on where you live)

I was just curious, since most of you are americans, how many here in this commuting sub-forum, who actually can afford the newest mercedes, bmw, or even a ferarri, but chooses to commute by bike?

I am one who commutes on a bike by choice - I have a 2005 model year car, which I paid cash for, and which sits in the garage most of the time. My top 3 reasons for bicycle commuting:

1) I have a history of heart disease and by integrating exercise into my daily routine, I do it. It is too easy for me to skip going to a gym or and work a bit longer, which is what led to my heart attack.

2) I enjoy the fact that while bicycle commuting I am a part of the environment - I smell the roadkill and bakeries on my route, I see the wildlife, I say hello to other cyclists and pedestrians. When I drive the car, I seal myself inside, turn on the radio and am generally unaware of the environment.

3) I do not like to support the oil industry (the car that I do have gets 48mpg) fossil fuels are evil on so many levels, and by riding my bike I am not encouraging them.

None of your business.

If you look at cycle commuting in London, you'll find a fair spread of income groups. Its not something people are doing for economic reasons. No-one sane commutes into London by car - some 80%-90% of the morning commute into central London is by tube, train or bus, and the recent introduction of a congestion charge (£8 a day to drive in central London) has further reduced the incentive to car in to work in the morning. So most of us are biking to avoid using crowded public transport and/or stay fit. I'm a director at the organisation I work for, and I'd guess that the other cycle commuters into our office reflect pretty well all the grades in our business - from the top of the office to junior admin staff.

You would have been better off posting this thread as a poll...

Something like this:

1 $0-25K
2 $25K-50K
3 $50K-75K
4 $75K-100K
5 $100K-125K
6 $125K-150K
7 $150K-175K
8 $175K+

%85 of Americans fall under a household income of 25K to 75K

I happen fall into catagory 4...but my 2 year old is slightly autistic and my teenager is bipolar...medical stuff for them adds up quick. My wife and I also quasi-support my in-laws...as both of them have medical issues. My wife doesn't work...she stays home with the kids...by choice. I'm still considered middle class in my locale...and I live in a very middle class home. All this is not to say that I'm not content with my life...because I am. I've always believed its important to be there for your family and kids too...they come first. :D

I commute the whole way to work twice a week...halfway any other day of the week that it is not raining, on a DS MTB my wife bought me for my birthday 2 years ago. When a little extra cash becomes available next spring...I'll get a suitable road bike. Until then...I'm content with what I have and have no problem waiting. I'm doing it for fitness first. The economic benefits second. It is nice saving wear and tear on the car and money for gas my riding a bike...but for me its not the primary reason

The most I'd spend on a car is $20,000...and thats pushing it...its probably closer to $18k...and it will probably be a newer minivan once my Plymouth Voyager takes a crap. I don't think I'd ever purchase a some of the higher end cars you've listed even though "technically" I could afford one. I'll still be commuting though...I want to ride everyday I can. I mean, biking is alot less expensive than golfing right? :)

Oh yeah...I'm %100 Polish (yet don't speak a word of it...so I'm genetically biased when it comes to economic matters LOL)

and the recent introduction of a congestion charge (£8 a day to drive in central London) has further reduced the incentive to car in to work in the morning.
A congestion charge???????

How does that work out? "Toll" booths at the city gates? Thats preposterous! :eek:

Of course...if congestion charge means parking fees...$8 a day is a bargin compared to downtown Chicago parking rates...a steal compared to O'Hare airport parking rates.

My income doesn't affect my decisions on commuting. It may affect whether I buy "extra's" I may or may not "need".

Income has no bearing on my bike habits. What does is my feelings about driving. I just effects the kinds of bikes I ride upon.

I am some where in that average 25000-75000 range.

Last month I sold one of the family's two cars and bought a bike. From the family side of things it was an economic decision. We are saving 500 dollars a month. Personally, I am in much better shape just from one month of bike commuting and I am always looking forward to the next ride. I feel like it is a win-win for everyone.

My income, just as others have said, has no bearing on whether I commute to work on my bike...and I do commute to work on my bike. My income has no real bearing on the kind of bike I ride...my common sense has a huge bearing on that.

average with above average debt. Doesn't matter to me. I would ride even if my finances were perfect. I'd just own more exepensive bikes :p

It is hard to find a place to park around here. Motoring is slow, and unpleasant during rush hour. Also, when it snows, huge traffic jams form, and it can take hours to drive a few miles. Riding a bike gives me needed exercise and connects me to the changing seasons and my environment.

Paul

It's about quality of life, not cost.

55k takehome a year. i really dont care about saying, it's public knowledge for anyone who knows my rank-Im in the navy. I'm in san diego, so it's probabally right around average, dont really know. I agree with data junkie, if I made more, I'd still ride. I like it too much.

Well, let me sum it up in one sentence. I'm a student. ;) I bike because I have to (well I guess I could walk or ride the bus), but I also enjoy it.

My exact income is my business and I refuse to be placed in a class but let me make this statement;
I have no debt. My vehicle is paid for, my home is paid off, I have no credit card debt, no more student loans, no nothing going out other than monthly living expenses. With this in mind I could support my family and myself on minimum wage with plenty of cash left over for the frills in life.
I bicycle commute because I chose to and could easily pay for other (easier) means of transportation if I wished.

The key to being financially happy is to never fall into the credit trap that is being pushed on us. My father, who probably earned less in a year than I spend on Gatorade taught me that. I have been saving for retirement since I was 19 years of age and will retire a happy man. And I'll still ride a bike.

average with above average debt. Doesn't matter to me. I would ride even if my finances were perfect. I'd just own more exepensive bikes :p

Ditto

Average with my only debt being my house. I've never had a car payment in my life (always bought used and cheap). I'm generally a cheap SOB except for when it comes to bike gear that I used every day. I used to drive to work when I made half of what I do now so my salary has nothing to do with my desire to bike commute.

Income is not a factor to my bike commuting as well. It's the fun of the bike that keeps me on it.

--A

Above average household income, below average debt (with management plan to be rid of it in 2 years.) I still ride my beater 16 year old bike from back in college. I could afford a new bike, but why bother right now? The one I have works fine. I'll ride it until it's really really dead, then I'll get something new.

(It's actually becoming really really dead, bit by bit, and I'm slowly accruing the parts to build a new bike.)

Above average income, average debt (mortgage and a car payment). The money factor isn't there for commuting, I do it because I like it.

My wife is a stay-at-home mom. Ironically, if she were to have a job that contributed additional income, I wouldn't be able to commute like I do.

2 X the average household income for Canadains. Primary house and cars are paid off. No debt other than investments.
I commute for the excercise, enjoyment and a bit for the environment.

I'm in the range that could afford a new or late model car with the payments and insurance, but I'm not the least bit interested. Instead I bike/bus to 100% of the time, and if I do need a car on occasion (mostly to go to Home Depot or mountain trips) I'll use my sig. other's car, and I pitch in for gas.

Most important - the money I save not having a car goes to more important things, like improving my house and traveling, two things I enjoy doing a lot, and are productive physically and mentally. Paying upwords of $400 a month for a car is neither.

Yo soy estudiante. Tengo que andar mi bicicleta.

$50k-75k

I am fairly comfortable financially, over $75k. I have a 10-year-old (bought new) car in good working order (no mechanical or even aesthetic issues) and putting gas in it doesn't put any significant dent in my wallet. I could also easily afford to buy a new car though I don't think I ever will again since I don't give a damn about cars anymore, I'd just buy some old heap that would haul me around.

I'd be cycling even if someone gave me a Mercedes and free fuel and maintenance. Cost of operating a car does not figure in any way in my decision to commute by bicycle.

I'm making enough that I don't need to ride if I don't have to, but the extra few hundred a month I save from riding is nice.

Around 64k, commute to work on a bycicle. Do I have to? No. Do I like to do it? Yes.

I work full time and am a student. I would not be able to afford the same quality of life I have now if I factored in a car, (and all the extras that go with it,) and a health club membership, (cuz of all the sitting I did in the car. :) )

I've been bike commuting since the second grade when my income was roughly $13 per year. I have bought 5 cars and one motorcycle in my life. Most died of lack of use and neglect. My American Eagle/Nishiki bicycle has out lasted all of them combined.

Quite above average household income and savings. Zero debt (that $20 on the credit card doesn't count). Both members of household ride bikes cause it's so damn fun and good for ya. Cars are just too much of a hassle, and we both hate hassle.

Just because I'm an American doesn't mean I can "afford the newest Mercedes, BMW, or even Ferrari." Far from it. Is that really what you guys think of us? And how is it your business what anyone's income is?

I am a fulltime student with a low-paying part time job, so money is an object. I am saving hundreds of dollars a year by biking, but finances were more of an additional benefit than a compelling motivation. I really just hate fossil fuels and couldn't afford an electric vehicle (public transportation is inadequate locally), so I bought a bike. Once I have a positive net income, I might get an electric car (by the way, does anybody know who killed it?)

Income: not enough. Way not enough. About 18k a year. I'm working on raising that, but it will take a bit of time.

I commute because it feels great to work out and keep my body functional. My clients get a benefit, as if I stay fit, my massages are better; if I keep my stress down with exercise, my massages are more integrative.

I work for a bike shop, so you all know I'm pullin in a couple hundred thousand a year;) The bicycle to me is a total imersion lifestyle. BTW my wife's into bikes also, but she has the GOOD job (we're doin allright:) ).

Was bike commuting when I was penniless; still doing it now that I am not.

My household income is $20-25k annually. I got out of college debt-free (screw get out of jail free, this ought to be the card in monopoly) but my fiance didn't. I picked up a little debt in the process of moving out on my own (and getting a macbook pro...but I deserved it for using a POS during my undergrad...I'm proud of that debt)

I bike because I spent 4 years of my undergrad trying to figure out how to solve the energy/pollution/human survival problem. I decided at the end of that, when I hadn't been accepted anywhere for grad-school, that I'd start being applying the solutions to myself and bugger-all with the rest of the world till I got more credibility.

Now I'm hooked.

I am car-free by choice. I rode when I was a student, and now that I'm earning well I still ride. It has nothing to do with income, everything to do with lifestyle choices.

Whatever anyone does do not buy into the whole charge it pay for it later concept.
My wife and I married when I was 21. All the dang credit cards and eventual medical bills have us under a mountain of debt. It's never too late to fix it but it will take forever. :rolleyes:
It is rare when I do not beat myself up for this. However, credit cards deliberately market to the financially inept youngster. Too bad it took until my late 20s to figure it out. ugh
Even smart people do really stupid things.

Canadian. Above average income, no debt.

I love riding to work, and absolutely hate driving there.

I do use my car to drive to the airfield on weekends, and to tow my glider around. I'm just not quite strong enough to pull a 1000lb trailer :-(

$35K gross annual here (- house costs, 403b, etc). i road to junior college every day (except 5) for 2 years, grad there 1982. now i own a 1993 honda civic cx, and a 1987 dodge ram-50 (small truck). i have commuted to work every day this year (except 8 days :-/ ) this year, lost 30lb, completed another 100 mile club century today, and sometimes the commutes are the highlights of my day!
i am at age 46, riding at about mile 3.5K this year, so far.
Willingness: just do it! (i love non-restraint to the cage)!!!!!!!!

Just because I'm an American doesn't mean I can "afford the newest Mercedes, BMW, or even Ferrari." Far from it. Is that really what you guys think of us? And how is it your business what anyone's income is?

Dude, if you don't think it's anyones business, then stay out of the thread.

I dont commute yet, as im still planning out my purchases of the right panniers, lights, fenders, clothing and everything else I need to do it right. I have a high anxiety level, and dont want to start off commuting before I have everything I need. Financially, Im doing fine, could be doing better, and am single with only student loans as debt. I have a honda civic that gets solid mpg, but I want to commute because it will give me more alone time with my bike. If I ride to and from work, I can stop at the gym to just lift, as I will have my cardio out of the way, and I wont feel like I havent had my riding fix. There are days now, that I dont get on the bike, and it makes me feel like crap. One other reason I am going to start commuting is theres a shower in my office building. SWEET!!!

As an MD I make enough to buy a really good bike...or another car. Actually, I initially chose my house (in 1987) because it was near the subway and I wanted to take public transit to work, but since 1992 I have been cycling most of the time (about 120-140 days out of about 200 days at the office annually). I still take the subway in snow and ice. I ride a cheap bike because I've had several stolen, and because I like older steel frames.

Just because I'm an American doesn't mean I can "afford the newest Mercedes, BMW, or even Ferrari." Far from it. Is that really what you guys think of us? And how is it your business what anyone's income is?

Yes, that is what most of the world thinks about Americans.

My exact income is my business and I refuse to be placed in a class but let me make this statement;
I have no debt. My vehicle is paid for, my home is paid off, I have no credit card debt, no more student loans, no nothing going out other than monthly living expenses. With this in mind I could support my family and myself on minimum wage with plenty of cash left over for the frills in life.
I bicycle commute because I chose to and could easily pay for other (easier) means of transportation if I wished.

The key to being financially happy is to never fall into the credit trap that is being pushed on us. My father, who probably earned less in a year than I spend on Gatorade taught me that. I have been saving for retirement since I was 19 years of age and will retire a happy man. And I'll still ride a bike.

One of the few wise people on this forum or in this country!!! By the way, I'm in the same financial situation your in! I may not drive new cars or live in a multi million dollar home, but I own what I got, and have no credit cards debt or student loans, the only loans I have is for rental property. And all you forum people, you can do the same thing; but people in America want every toy they can get and it's got to be better then the neighbors toy. Unlike what the bumper sticker says, the one with the most toys in the end does NOT win!

I could commute by car, but it seems like such a gigantic waste of money (insurance + gas + repairs + parking + gym fees). By combining my commute with riding, I can afford to buy a much nicer bike and much nicer equipment. It's about choices.

We have an average family income for Norway, somewhat over a 100 k $ but only one car which my wife needs for her job. The few times I use it I nearly get a heartattack by watching the bicycles pass my car as I am stuck in traffic. I know that I would be home by bike well before my car so it is pretty absurd for me to want to drive regardless the costs.

A congestion charge???????
How does that work out? "Toll" booths at the city gates? Thats preposterous! :eek:

Sort of. The congestion charge only applies to the very centre of London (between 0700 and 1830, Monday->Friday). There are cameras on all the roads where the congestion charge zone starts, cross the start of the zone and your number plate is recorded and you have to pay £8 by midnight on the day of travel. Pay the following day and it's £10, fail to pay then and a £100 Penalty Charge Notice is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle ...


Of course...if congestion charge means parking fees...

No, it's a charge for driving into the centre of London. If you want to park then that'll almost certainly be extra!

the recent introduction of a congestion charge (£8 a day to drive in central London) has further reduced the incentive to car in to work in the morning.

City officials in Portland are watching how it goes in London. I would not be surprised if some high density, high traffic city cores in North America go with this at some point. In Oregon, we are spending less and less on infrastructure because of declining revenue from state property & income tax and less money coming from Washington. Fees charged at the user end (car regisration, driver's license renewal charge, even lottery tickets, etc.) are what state and local governments are implementing to make up for the revenue shortfall. I doubt it will be widespread, but I imagine Portland will have something like it in 20 years.