Why do you commute?
 

Well the thread may exist already but i specifically would like to hear from people on why they chose to commute. Whether you commute just a few days out of the weeks, only on nice days, and especially if you commute everyday rain or shine year round.

What made you start commuting?
Did you start for:
-Weight loss/ heath reason?
-exercise?
-To "go green" and be more environmentally friendly?
-To be friendly to your wallet and save gas money?
-Its more convenient and quicker than your car?
-It looked fun?
-You simply love to ride bikes?
-You dont own a car/ you got your license taken away?

etc..... Or any other reason... Also, has this reason changed over time and have you continued to commute now for other reasons?

Me personally, I love bikes and have grown up around them, also I have recently become more environmentally conscious about my carbon footprint. In Addition, the exercise and gas money savings is a great little bonus as I am a college student. I most days to college and to work at my retail job and other I race cross country MTB on the weekends. Bikes bikes bikes!

No car/driving license is the main reason for me. I have yet to pass my test, and even then, I won't realistically be able to buy a car, since I'm going to university this October. I am currently working for a year between school and university, but it would cost a significant fraction of my pay for the year to buy and run a car for the remainder of that year once insurance, fuel and road tax have all been factored in.

I also ride recreationally, and I have a feeling I'd commute by bike even if I could afford a car, simply because I enjoy it.

Why did I commute? Because I lived some distance from my work.

If the question is, why did I commute by bike then the answer changed as time went on. I started because it was quicker, in Central London where I was then living, than going by public transport. I continued, even when living elsewhere, and over much longer distances, because I discovered I loved it. I liked other things about it - the fitness, the feeling of well-being, the lack of expense and hassle compared with the alternatives, but they were additional benefits rather than motives. I just loved it.

because i'm 42 and need to keep moving.

because my longest commute most days is less than 5 miles, and it's silly to waste the gas unless i have to.

and, i just love to ride a bike.

Just for fun. All the other stuff is just a bonus.

My wife and I live in the city and share one small car, which I never see. So it's either the bike or the bus, and both get me there in the same amount of time. On nice days, I ride a bike. :)

All of the above, but mainly because weekend recreational riding just wasn't enough to scratch the itch.
I would not say it's more convenient or quicker than my car, but it sure is less frustrating and nerve-wracking than dealing with rush-hour traffic on the highways. I ride through parks, campuses and trails now for about 60% of my commute.

Why do I commute by bike?

1. I don't own a car.

2. Round trip train fare is $7.60, so no train ride = free lunch.

3. Bicycles completely rule the universe!

Because riding a bike is fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d0X7...hannel&list=UL

I commute by bike for many of the reasons you suggested, but mostly because I can't think of a compelling reason not to.

Al Gore came to me in a dream and told me to...

But the real reasons: wanted to save money, wanted to lose weight, good way to juggle one car between 2 people, I got to buy new toys (defeats purpose of point 1 I guess), and I've always loved bikes.

Just for fun. I actually like driving, but driving during rush hour isn't fun. It's almost always nice to go for a bike ride, and my ride to/from work is pretty easy.

I commute because it is so much fun to ride a bike.
I ride in good weather.
But I also try if the forecast isn't that bad, if its just a chance if showers.
I don't go out in the rain - yet. Hopefully will get a fender-able bike soon and start venturing out in all weather Spring thru Fall.
I don't know how to do winter yet. But hope I can figure something out by next winter.

Why do I commute?

I ride a bike for exercise and fun. And I commute to multi task and save time, by combining riding and commuting.

Morning commutes help to get my body working and prepares me for the day. Evening commutes help to pedal away all the stuff I've had to deal with at work. Plus I get some extra miles in. Plus I save money on fuel and vehicle expenses. Plus there is a big empty space in my office that only my bike can fill.

I commute because I have to work.
I ride a bike to work because it's fun.
I ride a bike to work because I sold my truck and now live car-free.
I ride a bike to work because it keeps me sane.
I ride a bike to work because because it has become part of my identity.
I intend to keep the bicycle as my primary mode of transportation for the rest of my life.

1. Fitness
2. Fun
3. Freeway Burnout.

I ride in for a few reasons. In no particular order, they are:

Time on the bike - I would spend 20 minutes commuting by car in the morning. It takes 25 minutes to commute by bike. On nice days, it's just a bonus to be able to ride in the morning and in the evening.
Health - It keeps me active, gives a little exercise
Money - Each day I commute I save a little less than $2.00 on gas. It doesn't seem like much, but three days a week for a few months starts to overlap in full tanks of gas

I don't ride in the rain, or when it's too cold. But when it's sunny, I'll usually make the commute, for the reasons above.

Because I'm in no hurry to get to work and sit on my ass all day.

DING DING DING!!! I wasnt looking for a correct answer in any way, just everybody's personal reasons, but this response just made my day!

I could have written the same thing. Except I'm 44. :)

Hey! you're me.

I originally started commuting to save money. Now I do it for the above reasons.

I first did it to save money from parking tickets. Then I got hooked on how convenient it was compared to a car. Then I lost a couple of pounds and liked it even more. Now that being "green" is all the rage I feel almost fashionable.

Yea I agree, I almost feel trendy now,cant wait for the farmers market to open up for the spring/summer in my town and go get some delicious fruits and veggies traveling by bicycle of course. Living in a suburban neighborhood, this makes me feel as close to a suburban hipster as possible haha

For me, this is easy - it's all about the Benjamins...
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=248191

It much easier to keep one car with fuel in it to run the kids around and for my wife to get to work than it is to keep 2 with fuel. Especially with gasoline being above $4. Running two cars is just to much for my budget to handle, but it can handle 2 cars occasionally. It also cheaper to get on my bike and ride to work than pay for a gym membership. And how much time do you have to spend at the gym to make that work for you? It lots of little things, but mostly it is for the green in my wallet. :thumb:

I drive on the weekends, but that is mainly because I'm taking a few kids along or buying items to large for my trailer.

I like to ride my bike