+1

Because I see heaps of healthy people having fun and I wanted to be like them.

My commute is part positive mental health care, part weight loss tool, part no license and car, part a dislike for public transit, but mostly because bike riding is such great fun.

I started commuting because I love to ride. I began back in the mid eighties. I didn't know anyone that commuted by bike at the time and had no clue what I was doing. Took a dry run on a Saturday on my Schwinn Varsity to check out my route and that was that. I originally only rode during the summer when the weather was supposed to be nice. I was also asked quite frequently if I needed a ride home and was typically met with a puzzled look when I refused. Eventually they figured it out and a couple of others started riding in as well. Years later I changed jobs and moved to another town and had to train my new coworkers that I ride in because I love to ride, no my license is not revoked and I'll be ok and won't melt in the rain. 8 years ago I started training for a triathlon and discovered spinning, joined a gym and stopped commuting. I spent more time spinning inside than riding outside. One beautiful summer morning as I'm driving to the gym I thought this is crazy, I should be outside. I am now gym free and have not done a swim/bike/run event in a long time. For the last three years I bike commute as often as I can and will ride in winter as long as the roads are clear. I have two coworkers who have decided to bike commute sometimes as well. I can't think of a better way to start or end a work day.

Battle of the bulge, HBP, love to eat, love to ride and figured if my 65 year-old boss could do it, then surely a man of 40 could.

Force of habit.

That's the long version of my reason; I Like to Bike.

It's practical, and fun.

I commute because;

1. exercise / fitness
2. Tired of paying the MTA (They will raise fair next year again)

I'm a mountain biker. I commute on my bike 2-3 times/week so can keep up with my buddies when we ride in the woods.

One side benefit is I find it very relaxing after a stressful day at work. And I have lots of those lately.

I'm not anti-car. In fact I own four. One regular kid hauler and three older collectible cars. Those are fun too.

I began riding to save money ($4.50 / day parking at metro). Once the money was not as big an issue, I kept riding for exercise (although I gained some weight over this winter, I'm still over 20 lbs lighter than I was 3 years ago). What keeps me motivated, though, is fun (I am in so much better spirits on the days I ride the bike).

I average 2-3 days a week, about 30-40 miles (depending on route) daily round trip and I ride at least 1 day a week year round, but I freely admit that I avoid riding in rain when I can help it.

In order of priority:

1. So I can drink more beer and eat more gedunk.
2. To avoid paying for parking where I work
3. It feels good; before, during, and after
4. It energizes me coming to work and calms me going home.
5. I avoid things that happen to others, like traffic and high gas prices.

-G