Originally posted by hayneda
I wish my reasons were more altruistic. I've been an avid cyclist all my adult life. I simply started bike commuting to get to ride more.
I think that John Forrester (Effective Cycling) is right that many folks that bike commute (at least in the US) do so because they enjoy cycling and it lets them cycle more.
That describes me exactly. I started riding to work because I was training for a triathlon and needed more saddle time. I found that I was more likely to blow off my bike session if I drove to work and then had to drive home and get my bike. This spring I've been meeting up for training rides before work. (I tell people in the office that I have a 30 mile commute even though I only live 4 miles away.)
But even though I started for less than altruistic reasons, bike commuting has made me something of a conservationist. It makes you think about all the resources that are directed the way they are because of the car. At a minimum, I know that I don't have to contribute to all that.
Plus, when I fuel my vehicle, I'm supporting local farmers and ranchers, not the House of Saud.