I just posted this in the "Isn't it too cold to ride" thread:
I have to take a bus and the subway to commute. In bad weather NYC buses are terribly delayed. There is no way to time it, schedules here are just sheets of paper without meaning. It wasn't uncommon to wait 40-60 minutes for a bus in Brooklyn or Queens in freezing weather or in rain and slush. Often I opted to walk home to keep warm. Somewhere there it occurred to me: why even bother with the mass transit? Ride a bike. I was amazed how fast I can get by on a bike and actually enjoy my commute.
My regular commute on a good day would be 45-50 minutes. In winter 1:30h or worse. Then if the train breaks down or there is any problem with the subway system it could be 2h or worse. Not to mention miserable conditions, crowded and stinky cars, lack of AC in summer, etc. My bike commute is 35 minutes on a sunny, dry day and 45-55 minutes in bad weather and Winter. Always predictable. On nice days I take long detour through Brooklyn to enjoy a longer ride and get more workout. I'd rather sweat while pedaling out in the open than sweat while stuck under the ground on a crowded train with malfunctioning AC.
Oh, and there are the "Express buses" that are like $6 or $7 each way and take 1:30h
I just feel um... happier if I commute by bike, regardless of the weather
It's practical, it makes sense to me, it's fun. There is nothing crazy about this.
Adam