FWIW many moons ago, I made a detailed spreadsheet of various commuting methods specifically for my commute, including mixed mode commutes, and I also rated each on exercise, robustness (in case of storms, bad weather, etc) and reliability (how often the commute would be disrupted, whether by traffic, train delays, flat tire) as well as total trip time. Of the 20 or so options I examined, cycling was clearly the cheapest, coming out at 37c/day (rate is based on basic tire/tube/lube replacement). Driving came out at $2.34, but was the fastest and also the most robust and reliable, and did not include maintenance/insurance etc because I own the car and drive other places than work anyway. (One of the slowest and most expensive was to drive to the metro station, park, and then ride the train - which is what I did for years! The very slowest was to walk 3 blocks to the bus stop and transfer to the train station)
I come to the office only ~200 days in a year, so $400 isn't a great saving over a full year in my book. I can easily blow that on cycling parts and gear in a year, especially across 3 bikes. Also I do extra sets of laundry every week for my cycling gear. Detergent ain't cheap.
Originally Posted by
tractorlegs
And the feelings - don't get me started on the feelings - sailing on two wheels through the pre-dawn air, everything silent and crisp and new, just the sound of the tires on the pavement - Is there anything else that feels like that?
Nope! That's how we become addicts
