Originally Posted by
pdlamb
First, I think you're underestimating commute distance by a factor of two. I read it as 5 miles each way, 10 miles a day, about 5,000 miles per year.
Second, by cutting down mileage on the car by 30-50%, a bike commuter can make the second car in the family last a lot longer. I paid my car off 15 years ago (but still have it). Cutting regular service by a half adds up, and the car's tires last twice as long. That adds up to real money. The only things that are not linear with miles driven are insurance and taxes.
Third, when gas prices were peaking, I found I could save $100/month just on gas.
10 miles/day x 5 days a week x 52 weeks in a year = 2,600 miles a year, assuming OP cycles every single weekday all year long regardless of weather or personal health issues with zero days off for vacation, holidays or sick days.
How do you figure 5,000 miles a year? Your gas savings of $100/ month doesn't mean much without providing any info on how many miles were not driven and what kind of vehicle you were not driving.
Obviously not driving "X" miles a year by the use of a bicycle for commuting results in less fuel used and somewhat less wear and tear, but really; even at 20mpg a car driven only 2,600 miles uses 130 gallons a year and if that is all the car is used for, a modern (say from the last 30 years) compact car suitable for commuting such as a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla should last close to 40 years with little to no major maintenance or replacement of anything but wear and tear items such as windshield wiper blades, oil and filters, and a set of tires or two. And would require no purchase or replacement of specialized commuter clothing.
Repeating the bottom line: if bike commuting enables a person to get rid of a motor vehicle, he can enjoy a significant $ savings, if the cyclist does not reduce his count of motor vehicles owned, the $ savings isn't much to brag about; either way, the physical and mental benefits of bike commuting can be substantial regardless of the $ savings amount.