Gas is Cheaper
 

I've been trying to do this bike commuting thing, but I swear that it's costing me more. There's just no way around it, a gallon of gas is cheaper than a couple decent pints of whatever is going to give you the courage and motivation to ride on these freaking crazy streets. Down a few Coronas and its off to the races, you know? But I can't think that I'm saving money, nahhh... it's all about the fun.

Insurance. Registration. Maintenance. Replacing a worn out car more often than a worn out bicycle. Do you buy your gas on a charge card on which you carry a balance w/a interest rate?

Considered any of the above?

Not to mention the more difficult to quantify benefits, like better health.

It's more expensive for me to drive.

Health benefits, far cheaper wear and tear, no insurance (other than health insurance). Getting into bicycle commuting can be expensive ($1K - $2K to equip yourself for all weather commuting), but if you already have the gear it's far less expensive to ride than it is to drive.

ditto

You folks are taking the original post way too seriously.

All that's said was, liquid courage costs more than gas. Anyone would be an idiot to actually suggest that commuting by bicycle is costlier than in a car (except for that whole "instant death in the event of a bad collision" thing, but we're talking monetary here).

Yes, but liquid courage tastes better...unless you are actually drinking Corona as stated in the original post. I would rather down a pint of gasoline than anything macro brewers currently produce.

I carry my liquid courage with me. It's in a stainless steel flask. I find 2.5 ounces is enough to last me for a week. Right now it's Fighting Cock bourbon.

Beer is for after the ride. Along with a mountain of french fries or onion rings.

Especially if you require a full gallon to go 15 miles...

Homebrews are delicious, would rather invest in some good hops then gasoline. Is this all this thread is about? I ride so I can drink more beer and not get a beer gut, nuf said.

Ya, rot gut for the ride, the good sipping bourbon for afterwards.

Absinthe for me. My roadie snobishenss is showing through here. :D

Yeah, but hops prices are finally starting to stabilize/decrease, so they may not be as good as an investment ;)

Homebrewing is without a doubt the greatest hobby ever. It actually beats out cycling, although not by much. Together, they are unbeatable.

Yes they were pricey over the summer, making beer and riding bikes go very well together.

Pray tell, how does my insurance and maintenance change if I bike-commute?

Because let's not kid ourselves, no rational person gives up their car.

Actually I am unconvinced that bike-commuting saves any money at all, if the start-up costs are factored in.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rgod/flask.jpg

http://www.trophybikes.com/catalog.p...d=-1&prodid=32

I don't drink myself, but I saw one of these last week. Mad style points in my book. :D

My car insurance was dropped to 'recreation' since I literally only use it on weekends. Maintenance.. that should be pretty obvious. Mileage decrease = less wear and tear on the engine and chassis, less tire wear.

Corona=Latino Urine=Corona Any questions??

The price of gas and car maintanance was never really an issue with me. I bicycle for my health. I am noticing some savings in my finances but thats just extra for me.
Ernest

Hmmmm, with the recent chillier temps, a nice bourbon might work for the ride home!

Since bicycling takes a little more effort than driving, I've reduced my number of overall miles per year. With that little extra effort involved, plus the bike's lower carrying capacity, I've greatly reduced the amount of purchases being made since I now give them more thought rather than getting into the SUV, driving to the store, and making a rash buying decision on something that I didn't really need.

If biking was dangerous when you weren't drunk, it's sure to be dangerous when you are drunk!

Oh really? take that over to LCF

I love to stop on my ride home, have a smoke (I smoke about a pack a month) and drink a bit of bourbon. I carry the flask in my mess bag so it stays relatively warm.

I love to stop on my ride home, have a smoke (I smoke about a bag a month).

Full cost accounting? I don't think so.

Factoring in startup all depends on what your bike is, I was(until I got hit busting my clavicle) commuting to class daily on a free beater Motobecane that my dad gave me, I had probably around $50 invested in the bike. $50 = about two tanks of gas in my Jetta, from the beginning of the semester to now I've filled up my tank once...

Not to mention the startup cost of getting a car, if we're gonna factor all that in then you should factor that in to the pro-car argument too.

Since gas prices have gone down in my area, I am not saving much commuting by bike. I still have my car, but dont use it to drive to work. I have called my insurance agent and told him my story, and I am on recreation use for my car, (I may drive on the weekend to the store).

Gas here is now $1.98 /gal... so I am only spending roughly $1 a day in gas to drive to work.

But like others have said.. its worth it for health, and its just fun. I know if I didnt have my car, I would be saving roughly $4-5 a day. That adds up.

But I understand the OP..

Well, I think I see where the OP is coming from. Insurace and Registration are a sunk cost - you don't really save money on them by commuting (unless you tell your insurance company you drive under X miles and they lower your rate). I really wonder how much $ I save. What I do gainm though, is a stronger heart, couple of lungs and the ability to blow off steam after work.

:beer:

-GG-

I'm both pleased and displeased with cheaper gas for selfish reasons. Cheaper means it costs less to fill up for the trips I need to make by car (those to work sites across town). Cheaper also means there's less incentive for people to carpool, use pubtrans, or bike, which means more cars on the road, which means a more dangerous ride.