Part of why I ride is that indeed, the cost of vehicles and the maintenance, fees, gas, etc. required for them is too large of a percentage of my income that I am willing to spend. Owning and operating a car requires a financial sacrifice that some see as a necessity, and for many it may very well be. I'm not one of those people. I can afford a car, but I value the money I earn, and would rather spend it on what I deem as priorities over vehicle ownership/maintenance. When I try to explain this to those that ask about my choice of being car free, I am met with reactions that vary from epiphany to pity. I do own a car, a nice Jeep, that's paid off and I've kept in great shape. Sometimes folks that have never seen me drive a car find out that I have one parked in my driveway at home and exclaim "wow, you actually own a car?!?" and it does leave me with the feeling that they figured I ride a bike because I have to, not because I want to.

Mostly, though...riding a bike is just a more fun way to get around.