If we're just talking about commuting only (as this is the Commuting Forum) I ride 16 mi. round-trip each day plus ride the Los Angeles Metro for 22 mi. each day (gets me over the dangerous parts of the city) at a cost of $3.00 per day (TAP card). If I drive my car, a 1st generation Honda Insight (65-70 mpg) it costs me about $3.00 in gas per day, so it's pretty even, daily expense wise.

Of course this doesn't figure in the other costs of owning the car (or bike) but since I am (in addition to bicycle commuting) a recreational cyclist, and since many of the rides I do start many miles from home, I also use the car to get to ride starts. So, big picture, I'm happy to have a car as well as my bike. It wouldn't be easy for me to give up the car since that would also mean giving up a lot of other cycling opportunities (mostly centuries and double-centuries).

The big benefits to me are the joy of cycling itself, keeping myself in better shape for longer rides and staying out of the horrible LA freeway traffic. The only downside is that my position on my commuting bike (DaHon folder) isn't as good as on my road (or mountain) bikes, but being able to fold it small is a wonderful benefit on the Metro train.

Rick / OCRR