It seems that every day, there are people reporting their first commute, or that they are getting ready to commute for the first time. How long have you been commuting?

On, then off, then on again for the past 4 years... So happy to be back "on".

i started in june this year

I started 6yr ago. At first it was minimal-1-2d/wk, less in the winter. 4 yr ago, I became a regular. 2 winters ago on this forum, someone posted a monthly challenge in the winter months. The goal was to see if you could shoot for more days bike commuting and the prize was self satisfaction. Thanks to that challenge, I increased my riding to 3-4d/wk year round, with more frequent 4d/wk in the summer (I work 4d/wk).

Since the end of March, and I see no reason why I would quit anytime soon. Best decision I've made in a long time!

Yeah, exactly. Same time frame, too.

I did it for about 6 months a year ago, but then quit when I changed jobs and had to go farther plus lost my shower/locker. I just re-started 6 or so weeks ago. I still wish I had a shower and a locker though.

I started a week or two after Hurricane Katrina, when there were reports that NC's governor was going to ration gasoline.

The thing is--and I feel terrible about this--I should have been doing this for 3 or 4 years prior to that. I work in the same building now as I did then and have essentially the same job. I don't know why I didn't start sooner; I even commuted a few times but just never really decided to do it full time.

Since 1999.

I answered more than 5 years. Before retiring from my buisness I two part commuted bike/car for 7 years. I retired, and did no work for 5 years, but last year took a volunteer job that I commute to.

I started last summer, so I'm right around the one year mark.

Your poll doesn't even come close 5 years? Yer still a newbie! You probably haven't even learned how to trip the lights yet You're still counting the time in weeks!

240 month's of at least one time each month for which I have records. I've commuted to work the whole time I've been on this job which is 96 months more but I don't have records for that. I've got shorts that are older than what most of you have been commuting

Since April

I started in late February. Of course, it's summer vacation now, so I won't commute again until the end of the month.

What's with the polls lately?

Evidently everyone over 40 is essentially the same age, and everyone who has been commuting more than 5 years, has been doing it for 5+ years.

I've been doing it for 12 years.

I just started, but realize I should have been doing this years ago (since I live and work in the same places as three years ago).

Today I got home in about 23 minutes (4.2 miles). It takes 15 to drive home (because I kind of have to go around a longer distance in the car).

So it makes no sense to drive (unless I can't ride for various reasons).

My goal right now is to commute three out of five days. If I do more, great. But three is a good goal right now.

How about since about 1976. On and off, with 7 years car free. I bought a car after my son was born. I dated my wife (before we were married) on a bike. I've changed jobs, and I've moved, and I still bike commuted. Some employers were good with it, others just tolerated it. No one said I couldn't.

That's more than 5 years, BTW.

Started in 1973. Not nearly every day, except for the eight years I was in Atlanta. More of a Three Season Commuter now. About half the time for those three seasons.
Double check my math, but that, too, is more than five years.

I just like to ride my bicycle(s). Have been commuting to work for just over a year. Sometimes it is too hot to commute by bike so I ride in the mornings then drive to work. Just like to ride my bike somewhere for some miles every day.

I've just decided not to be so obsessive about it and my pleasure in riding has risen proportionately...those 'chilly' 'rainy' winter days are the best...

This is the attitude I want to have with this. Just making it a part of my day when I can.

Oh, and this fall will be my first. I walked through four years in college while some people around me cycled. Always wanted to, but never went and bought one. Now I'm going to grad, I decided not to let any more time slip away. Got a car, but also got a bike. Gonna use the two to get around.

11 years man and boy

Told my wife when gas hit $4 a gallon it was either a new bicyle or a new motorcycle...she said she could live with the bike, so I've been on it everyday except once when it lightening like crazy.

I rode to school from '73 to '76. To work since 1984. Every day since 1985.

I just returned to commuting but at one time I commuted for about 10 years straight.

I've started commuting seriously this year since the price of fuel is so high. Even though it's only 4 miles to bike in, it's nice to save some fuel and time. I can actually bike into work at the same amount of time as it would take me to drive with traffic.

Does anyone know if Google maps has bike paths added in? I thought it be kind of neat to show all the routes I've done over the summer.

Michael