Sentinel04

Well, I could, but I guess I won't.

So my fiance works a couple blocks from where I work (Arlington, VA Rosslyn). I get free parking, she does not. You can probably see where this is going.

She'd have to spend $200+ a month to pay for parking at the Courthouse metro stop (she works there). If we carpool, she'd have to pay nothing.

Ideally, we could both bike to work. She's even expressed interest in doing, though she's never ridden a bike before. To go from never sitting on a bike to commuting 5 days a week in all weather is quite a transition. Though we live right off the WOD trail and it links up with the Curtis trail, so at least it would not be street biking (she's terrified of doing that).

Ah, well. It was fun while it lasted.

bikegeek57

and what's the problem with the trails? how far a trip? why not?

chipcom 

So start working her up to commuting by bike...it's not like it takes years...or even months.
So what was the problem again?

mtnwalker

Why not let her drive your car and park in your parking area? She gets free parking and you get to keep riding in to work.

vaticdart

This.

CCrew

Where are these gold plated parking spots? I'm @ Courthouse, parking here is $120 a month and others nearby are cheaper yet.

It's not that you "can't" it's that it's easier not to.

FreddyV

I just don't get it. You're using your girlfriend as an excuse to stop bike commuting?

Johan13

why not have her park at your work and then walk to her work?

Doohickie

Why can't she ride the train?

dlester

Beyond all the other things people have posted, I don't get why, since she has expressed interest, that you can't bicycle in together once or twice a week to start, then work her gradually up to every day as she progresses.

augustao

And give up the comfort of an automobile? Next thing you know people will be riding bicycles to work.

chipcom 

BarracksSi

Maybe the Metro stop closest to home is the one in Rosslyn.

Sentinel04

Well, first off, my work has made it clear that my parking space is for me only. Stupid, yes, but they make the rules.

Secondly, I do plan on working her up to commute via bike. I am just preparing myself for her possible decision to decided against commuting via bike.

Thirdly, she can ride the train, but if I drive, she'd save time and money.

Lastly, this really comes down to what I think is obligatory for a future husband to do. What is more important, me biking to work (which I like doing) or saving my fiance money and time?

That said, I've been a big bike proponent for a while now, so it is my hope she'll bike in with me. That is the route I will pursue.

Sentinel04

I have no idea, that is just what she told me what it costs.

ItsJustMe

Personally I'd wait until spring then start working her up. I wouldn't start out anyone in the middle of winter. Bite the bullet and drive for a few weeks, then pick a nice spring day to start.

Of course, nice spring days often mean as-yet-unrepaired potholes and maybe crazy drivers, but you can't have everything.

RaleighComp

After a few months of driving you'll be irritable and fat and the wedding will be off. Then you can get back to riding.

Lots of fish in the sea.

Doohickie

Wouldn't one person riding the train be cheaper than two people driving together? I don't know, I'm asking. (I was in DC recently but haven't looked at that from a monthly perspective.)

You have to take care of your future wife, that's for sure. However it doesn't mean you need to give "everything" up to do that. As a longtime married guy, I can tell you that you need to balance her needs (convenience in parking, time), your needs (desire to bike to work) and the needs of both of you (budget/money). Don't discount the health benefits of riding; it's easy to put on pounds if you cut the activity out of your day.

It sounds like she's willing to work with you on it though; you'll work it out.

jeffpoulin

Is that a trick question? I think you'll find out soon enough that what's best is what makes both of you happy. One person sacrificing what he/she likes just to make another person happy doesn't work in the long term (in my experience anyway).

2su

couldn't... you still bike, she drive, and you both meet in front of your building where, you then get in the car and drive to your parking spot? - - i think so!

josephjhaney

So bike to 1 block from your work, have your SO pick you up in your car, put your bike on the rack on the back, ride the 1 block to work in your car, viola problem solved. You get to bike, she gets the spot. Simple, no?

I saw this thread, I was thinking you were injured or something, "can't" is obviously a cop out "don't wanna" would be much more accurate.

josephjhaney

Must have been typing at the same time.

Joe

colleen c

+1

Dragging her out in the cold wet weather this time of the year is ground for divorce before the "I do".

Second option is let her drive to work while you leave earlier and bike to her work place before she arrived. Then place your bike in your vehicle with front wheel removed or a rack and you drive the few blocks to your work place parking in your space. Your company cannot say much about this. Then reverse the order when going home.

Edit for: oops, 2su just mention this idea. Me too slow.

Artkansas 

Look at the solution of this problem as a rehersal for marriage.

You need to find an answer that satisfies you both, with compromise, but where neither is really giving up any core items.

Make sure that there is no hidden agenda, such as her wanting to drive together to work to fill some preconcieved notion.

annc

It solution so obvious I can't believe no one has mentioned it yet. Simply switch jobs. That way she'll drive without paying for parking and you can bike to work.