This applies for my commuting riding. My job would pay my commuting costs if I used public transportation. They don't pay for my cycling costs, which includes $50/yr for bike locker and about $282/yr for the use of the fitness center at work for showers, and some winter biking clothing I might not buy if I were not commuting. For me the health benefits make it worthwile.

I don't own a car and overall it is definitely cheaper using a bike and public transit here. Even if you don't have high parking and registration fees, which we have here, a car will need a an oil change periodically. Every three months was what I remembered. Other things come up for sure on an used car bought for $1000 or less. I've owned a couple of sub $3000 dollar cars. I now own and maintain three bicycles. I bought the last bicycle only three months ago, but I'm sure the combined yearly cost of maintaining all three will be less than half what it cost me to maintain one used car.