Hello,
I just started commuting this week, it is my third week on new bike.
My commute is 6 miles one way and pretty flat (I'm OK with that)
Most people seem to think a bike is a toy but if you are riding to work every day that is a game changer.
Of coarse if commuting is the goal it takes more than just a bike, got to have other stuff and it all cost money, helmet, lights, lock, something to haul stuff in, pump, flat repair stuff and OMG where does it end. Did I mention I don't have a money tree in my back yard.

My car ride to work took me about 15 minutes on mostly a four lane race track, aggressive driving and drivers, since it is what I have always done I never really thought about how aggravating the obligatory commute is.

My bike commute takes me 35 minutes, have to stop and cross 3 four lane rodes of death but other than that it is casual neighborhood ride. I do stop (rolling stop unless there is actually another car around) for numerous stop signs as well. But it is peaceful, easy, not stressed out. When I get to work I am wide awake and in a good mood, not always the case when car commuting.

But I'm preaching to the choir right?

Happy to be aboard, sure wish I had figured this out a lot sooner.

Welcome to the other side.

Welcome newbie. Yea, my wife can tell if I drove instead rode. Nothing like getting home from a bike ride instead of getting home from work. What are you riding?

Welcome TBone. You've just started, yet seem to have discovered both the benefits and the downsides (yes, it does cost and yes, it does require maintenance). My commuting routine is so ingrained that I feel uncomfortable on those rare days when I have to drive to work.

Welcome!

Gear doesn't have to be fancy (see our current lights thread with a discussion of the super cheap Chinese lights via Amazon) and a lot of the clothes you need are normal athletic or outdoorsy stuff you already have, unless you want to get bike-specific

Hah, yup. I'm cranky when I drive.

Well sure it costs in the sense that it is not free, but it's less expensive than driving no matter what way you cut it. A couple tanks worth of gas money will cover all the accessories you truly need...lights, lock, helmet.

Actually, you do have a money tree. Keep track of how mich you are saving in fuel, maintenance, and parking fees. The initial investment might seem like a lot but You will save more than enough to offset it.

I am riding a Giant Escape City. I really should figure out how to get a few pics in here but I don't have a photo bucket account.

welcome to the forum

I've been commuting the same basic route for 25 years. Car traffic keeps getting denser and driving to work gets more frustrating; the bike commute hasn't really changed much, and in fact where it has changed, it is because of fewer cars and even quieter streets as the city expands outward.

Welcome, ride safely and enjoy!

Is this it?
Looks great. When you start tacking on miles after work because your having so much fun and want to ride on the weekends too for kicks ... n+1...

Well, I figured that at $2.50/gallon, the fuel costs of driving to work would run me about $115 per year. I easily spend more than that on my bike and related gear.

Before I started cycle commuting, I walked to work (did so for over 10 years). Cost of shoes (new pair every 6 months) easily exceeded fuel costs.

Yes, I know that I am excluding cost of vehicle maintenance, insurance, etc.; however since I use my truck for other purposes those are costs that are not affected by whether I commute by bike or drive.

My situation is based on having a short driving commute (less than 2 miles one way). I imagine that there is some distance beyond which I would spend more on fuel than on my bike needs. My bike commute is about 7 miles one way and chosen to avoid traffic (and get some exercise).

what kind of light do you have? I recommend the ThorFire Led Bicycle Lights 1400LM XM-L2. fantastic rechargeable 8800mAh, I feel I get more respect from cars at day and night.

I bought a BrightEye 1200 lumen light for $45.00.

Is your parking free? Where I work it's $10/day, so that adds up very quickly. I could probably justify a new bike every year.

I think the IRS estimates the average cost of driving/mile to be $0.55, so I'd say that your estimate is a bit low. Or you could use that to justify spending more on gear

This, right here.

Also, although I have spent lots of money on gear (SKS fenders, Axiom rack, Ortlieb panniers, Cygolite front light, Radbot 1000 rear light, expensive rain gear, etc), it lasts a long time. I have yet to wear any of it out and I have been collecting it since 2004.

The expensive gear is more of a choice than a necessity. I like the cycling gear as much as anyone and I'm a sucker for whatever will make it easier or more comfortable or more interesting, but I can and often do commute with nothing more than the bike and whatever athletic clothes I'd have had anyway. Other than consumables like chains, tires and cassettes, chain oil, the expenses basically end wherever you want them to.

OP you're dead on right about the reasons "peaceful, easy, not stressed out. ... wide awake and in a good mood..." and I'd just add "fun". My driving colleagues have such a hard time accepting these as real reasons, that I think of them as our "secret" which you're now in on.

You discovered a wonderful, well-kept secret.

Welcome! Bike commuting brings joy to my life everyday.