Well, not sure how much help I'll be, as I have two options: bus or bike. Between walking a 3/4 of a mile to the bus stop to avoid a transfer, and then a stop and go 35 to 40 minute ride vs. a 30 minute bike ride, the bike kind of sells itself. Honestly, I just get the bike out and get on it before I have time to talk myself out of it. Just do it.

I don't think about it, riding is just how I get to work. I don't think about it any more than I think about getting in the car. I very often don't really want to go to work, but I do anyway.

As often as not, I go to work because it gives me a reason to ride for a couple of hours a day. Now that it's getting warmer I'm taking alternate routes to increase my mileage.

When I was commuting regularly, 7+ miles each way, it just became my default mode of travel. I had to come up with a good reason to drive.

+1 - true

in my opinion motivation is personal. meaning mine isn't going to be yours. also while other people can help motivate you, the truth is I think it must come from within yourself. without wanting something yourself, someone else can only try to motivate you. for example beer money and pizza are good motivators to get people to help you move. ugh I hate contardicting myself.

One of my strategies is to *not* check the weather. If I did, I would be taking the bus every other day. So far in 5 weeks straight of riding, I haven't gotten so much as a sprinkling of rain. I check the temp so I know what to bring, but as far as precipitation I've learned to disregard that, despite working for a TV news outlet.

I often lose the motivation. What helps is reminding myself that I am saving at least $10 everydays by riding. I then promise myself something nice(within the $10 price rangethat I just saved), maybe a nice cut of steak, a nice dinner somewhere, a fat J at the end of my commute. Whatever it is, makes it all worth it.

OP, you have a 2011 Salsa Vaya
Why would you want to drive?
Just think of the fun you are missing?

This, but for the past 30 years. A couple of years ago, I had neck surgery and wasn't allowed to ride (on the road) for a month (I rode the rollers each day instead!). Even though we have a fast and convenient light rapid transit system in Greater Vancouver, and even though it was November-December and getting cold and icy, I was still completely sick of waiting around for the bus (to the LRT) and fighting my way thru the crowds on the LRT. When I first started my working career back in 1978, I'd take the bus, dressed in my suit, to get to work. Well, after two weeks, and catching a cold on the bus (I NEVER catch colds), I reverted to taking the bike to work and haven't looked back. I just DETEST public transportation; I guess that's my primary motivation. And I drive a diesel-powered car, so I don't buy as much fuel, but it's still $150 or more per month to park a car downtown, plus you're stuck in traffic getting there. So cycling to work is just a no-brainer. Even when it's snowing, I'll take the bike. I hate public transportation that much!

Maybe I'm just antisocial; I really enjoy the time by myself on the bike, not having to wait for the carpool to arrive, or for the bus to arrive. Not worrying that I'm out of the house on time (I just take a shorter route). I even stretch out the route to work so I get a longer ride!

Plus I've always been irreverent and anti-establishment. So far, taking the bike has been a really good way to screw the system. However, I have noticed that they're putting up secure public bike facilities with showers and monthly charges, so it won't be long before riding to work becomes part of the establishment.

And then there's the heroic motivation. You hear about these guys who do these arctic expeditions that take months. Big deal. I've been riding a bike in every kind of weather condition on a regular basis for years. Some days it's been so cold and icy that you wonder if the bike will stay upright, but I've got the distance to work I've got to cover. On the expedition, you've got the choice to wait out storms. I think daily commuting has elements that are about as challenging as going out on an extended expedition. But you don't advertise it. You just quietly go about dong stuff that not even 1% of the population would consider. This gives you a lot of self-confidence, without the arrogance of a loathesome public display.

Not riding is just not an option!

Luis

Bike commute by choice. Motivation is the alternative is a 65 mile drive (Part of my commute is commuter rail) Another motivation is that when you get past your initial out of shape phase, it's fun.

No problem with motivation. I have a strict policy of not riding when it's significantly below freezing, when the roads are wet/icy or when precipitation is likely. I just don't enjoy riding in those conditions. The rest of the time, even though I have a company car with free fuel, I ride.

I don't think the OP understands how strange this question is to someone like me. Riding my bike is like walking...its just what I do when I want to get from point A to B.

+1

I love riding that bike you are right. It is a sweet set up too. Often I leave at 5:30 and get to work at 5:50 on the bike (read and enjoy morning coffee), but 6:45 arriving at 7:00 in the van. I like riding when there is no traffic.

Great replies and I enjoy/appreciate the various responses. Not looking for motivation from anyone, but was wondering if many lose it here or there. Sounds like the answer is "no" ----- and maybe I ought to appreciate the fact that I can ride anytime I want (Florida weather is great year-round even in the summer - mornings that is), live fairly close to work, and have a good route (3 miles of MUP and 1.3 of quiet residential streets). I also keep my bike in my office (have no one bothered in the elevator for 8 years so far in this building).

Yes, it is very much the same for me. Cycling has been my primary mode of transportation, or at least a major part of it, for most of my life, and it is just about as much a part of who I am and how I live as anything I do. The motivation issue is often more one of justifying why I should use any other method of transportation, and I am a often bit bummed when I don't get to ride for some "practical" reason.

I just got back in the saddle yesterday after taking a two-month break. With my wife finishing up her MA and an eight month-old to help out with, it's been impossible for me to get to bed by 9 or 10 to get up at 4 am to prep for the ride in. For me, sleep is everything for daily 22-mile rides. Not really a matter of motivation...more like necessity.

For over 7 years, it's not really been an option; no car. But there HAVE been days when I was less than enthusiastic about the ride.

But I found out that, on those days, just 'gutting it out' and riding anyway, resulted in a better ride than on many days I looked forward to!

Over the last 6-8 months, it's been more a matter or NOT WANTING TO GET OFF the bike at work! LOVE the ride, HATE the destination.

It has been over 6 months since I caught a taxi into work, and then I had to carry too much stuff for my bike.

I dont have a car, but taxis here are cheap, about USD$4 for the 12.5 km trip to work. When I leave it is very very easy to get a taxi, just walk the 100 m to the end of my little street, never wait more than a couple of minutes. Getting home is a tad harder, I ahve to walk about 500 m and may have to wait 3 or 4 minutes.

I just ride. Even when I dont feel like it, I do it anyway. After a km or two I am loving it again. I have 3 different routes to work, only about 400 m difference between them, I change it up often enough to keep it interesting.

z

Like another poster, at some point a few years ago I came to the realization that I had never gotten to work on the bike and wished I'd driven, and conversely every time I drove I wish that I had ridden.

That's when I flipped around and made cycling the default, regardless of weather or whatever else. I only drive if I have a need to carry heavy things or people, or go on distant errands (more than an extra 5 miles or so of riding).

I feel your pain. My wife has a twenty minute drive to her 9-10 A.M. starting job. I have to get up at 4:15 catch a train, or 4:00 if I decide to bike to the station (bike usually travels there fully assembled in the trusty ol' Vibe). No kid, just an other who is constitutionally opposed to being out of bed before 7:00

I traveled to Xiamen on business several years back and was really surprised at how good the taxi's were.

I find that riding is usually motivation within itself. I enjoy the change in scenery and sounds. The exercise is usually appreciated at the end of the day. When its bedtime, I have no problem sleeping. My appetite is always regular and predictable right along with my other bodily functions. My skin tone is great. I look, feel, and think younger than most people twenty years or more younger than myself. Riding regularly and commuting has its own rewards...

PS.

Though sometimes we tire....

Motivation is key!

I don't ride 100% every day, but I try to come close to 75-80%. I guess I don't really need motivation. Tons of reasons to ride instead of drive, even with 10-11 mile each way... 22ish round trip. The days I drive are days I go to the store & refill my food at work.

Quoted for truthiness.

I got some unexpected motivation this weekend. I was talking with two of my children and asking what we could personally do to "save the world." We do a lot at the house and work and try to get us to reduce our impact. We ride bikes and the bus often even though riding the bus here makes people think you are a nut - or have a DUI. When we have to go to meetings outside the office I load up 8 people in my van so we can all go in one vehicle (as opposed to the normal 5-8 cars going to the same spot!). I put together a "sustainability plan" at the office. I have solar on the roof at home, super insulated everything, etc. Ride bike to work more than half the time. We have a family of five and have a water bill and a power bill of a family of two.

On Sunday I was filling up my van (was forced to drive it otherwise would have been on the bike) with $4.29/gallon gas and we had another conversation in the van. I asked the kids how long they think the tank of gas would last me/us (27 gallons at 18 mpg). They said a month - I said I bet I can go longer! So, I’m on the bike today at work (and all the rest of the day Sunday) and the rest of the week so far. A little challenge or goal goes a long way with me. It helps remind me of what is important and lets me weigh some of my day to day decisions. Have a 6:30 P.M. public hearing tomorrow that will prove a challenge - as I don't know when it will end and buses home are only once per hour, but it is all part of the challenge.