it's bike vs. subway. the car never factors in.

+1

That's how long my commute is, and on the rare occasions I drive I feel absolutely ridiculous.

Because I enjoy riding, I go through a nice park and residential area of town on my way, and because I feel good when I get to work. I feel more connected with nature and the outdoors. And also, because, after 15 years of daily driving, I have come to hate the drive.

The cost savings and health benefits are not a consideration for me. I need to keep the car, so the cost savings are insignificant. I have not lost weight since commuting, my blood pressure has not gone down, and my cholesterol has not changed. My commute is 10 miles each way.

When I started commuting about four months ago, it wasn't meant to be a complete lifestyle change. It was meant to save money on gas and parking and incorporate some exercise into the daily routine (I was getting a bit pudgy). Well I will eventually save money (I've wound up spending a good bit on the bike and gear), and I'm in much better shape (25 pounds shed over a few months). I didn't expect that I would love traveling to and from work as much as I do (prior I was at best indifferent, at worst frustrated by traffic). I've wound up completely altering my wardrobe and appearance... some changes related directly to cycling and others unrelated, but it really has been a tremendous lifestyle change. And I expect it will continue for a very long time.

For health reasons and for savings. When we moved to Juneau and were shopping for a house, I didn't want a place too close to work, I wanted a decent bike ride between home and work. The 6.9 mile distance seems to offer a good balance in time in commute and getting a decent workout. I don't worry much about not getting exercise because it's baked into my daily routine.

On the saving money side. I find that the savings in terms of gas is actually fairly minimal. When I was riding my mountain bike, I was surprised how small the savings was in terms of gas. 2400 miles per year, divide by 20 miles per gallon = 120 gallons saved times $4 something per gallon, say $500 per year. OTOH, I was spending a fair amount on maintenence on my bike, about $200 a year. So what a net saving of $300 per year...

EXCEPT

I don't own a second car. If I were commuting by car, I'd own another car. We have one car, my wife drives that. I rarely if every have the option of driving a car to work. So if you figure not owning a (second) car for 20 plus years the savings easily rise into the tens of thousands.

Before: I was going from a big climate-controlled box (house) to a small shiny climate-controlled box (car) to a big gray climate-controlled box (work) and back every day, getting fat and high-blood-pressury and burning a poisonous product produced by companies who actively used their profits to work against my better interests. I was out of shape and had no connection to nature.

After: I look forward to 6 miles each way of whatever mother nature can throw at me. I like my commute now, both the connection to nature and the physical challenge and experience of it. I have zero road rage. I have lost 35 pounds and been high-fived at the doctor's office. This is the best shape I've been in since the 90's. I have moved my belt loop 2 notches smaller, close to a 3rd now (at some point may need new clothes, will be a nice problem to have). I haven't saved a lot of money, but at least I'm now supporting producers of useful biking stuff rather than oil companies.

It took some adjustment, some reorganization of my routines, some purchasing of useful accessories like panniers, lights, and such. But I am in the groove now and loving the bicycle commuting and all the benefits. I wish I would have tried it sooner.

I commute in two ways with the bicycle. My commute is 14 miles each way in the Appalachian mountains so I do it about twice a week when I can, sometimes once, and somtimes none :(.
But I keep a Walmart Schwinn Avenue locked to the a bike rack at work because we have about 6 other offices in town I routinely visit. So even when I have to bring my car (due to bike tires cut up, broken spokes, etc..until its gets repairs or other reasons) if I need to go out locally I just use the Schwinn. I leave it 24/7 here on a bike rack. It's a 24 hour service and we have our own security team. If something happens to it, I got an old Walmart 7 speed Avalon I'll put over there and lock up.

This is my main reason. I only live 3 miles from my job, but commuting by MBTA can take 45-50 minutes. Plus you locals know there's always a chance of a train dying in the tunnel, delaying everyone by 20+ additional minutes.

The commute by bike is approximately 18 minutes... 15 when it's cloudy and the sun isn't sucking my will to live.

Your post made me chuckle. :)
Even though we're the same age, I cannot attest to the same reactions from women and teenagers, but like you, my doctor is happy.

When I was a kid, we had the typical one car family. I was expected to find my own way to any activities. "Soccer moms" (or in my case, "baseball moms")were not invented yet.We learned how to fix and maintain bikes at a very young age. Except for a short and misguided hiatus when I first got my drivers license, I have biked to work and stores all my life. Kudos to the green people out there; but it's not my thing.... I like to eat, and want to stay healthy. Also great stress relief.

I couldn't agree more that sitting in a stopped, idling car seems like a monumental waste of time and money!

True. My bike route is parallel to the freeway, with a slough between the two. The slough is a protected area, so I get to see a lot of birds there. Since I'm new here, all the birds are new to me, and therefore quite interesting. If I'm on the freeway driving home from work I'm invariably in traffic, and I can see the trail so its more irritating to be stuck behind a car than usual.

I commute to stop middle age spread and to purchase one less gallon of fuel from people flying occupied aircraft into occupied buildings. I guess I bike out of vanity and contempt.

Let me pose another question to you. Out of curiosity, how do your co-workers react to you pulling into work everyday on your bike? My boss understands and commutes by bike from time to time, as do others. The ones that only drive crack jokes about it from time to time, but they mean well and it is all in good fun.

I am just curious what your experiences have been.

My coworkers have been really good about it. They can't imagine actually doing a 20 mile commute on a bike, so they're actually a bit impressed (and concerned for my mental health).

The only "bad" reaction was when I first started riding to work I wore a rolled-up bandanna as a sweat band. It was 1980 all over again. Of course, I had to listen to Rambo jokes.......

I commute because I get exercise, and it feels great riding. I also live 2 train stations away from work, so I hate to give the MTA my money for 2 stops. I have saved so much money by biking.

I get tired of being called "Lance" by people that have no idea what bikes are about.

Less expensive using a car, and a bike is easier to fix, more freedom to anywhere at your own speed.

Before I started, I was worried a little bit about reactions from a couple of people at work, but I have been pleasantly surprised when they talk one-on-one and tell me they wish they could do the same thing I am doing. I got a couple of jokes about being Lance, about my helmet and reference to some movie I never saw, but I think those are just small-talk by people who don't know what else to say and are trying to lighten up the office. Sometimes it feels like a Halloween costume every day when I walk in wearing my Bike Guy gear, but it hasn't been too bad overall. In my case, the weight loss has made it all sweeter anyways. I don't plan to go back.

Well, basically nobody says anything, which would indicate that they don't care one way or the other, and that would be fine with me.
But I know that they do care!
Due to seniority and rank I am entitled to a coveted parking space close to the building, but I don't use it, which means that one lucky devil of lesser seniority/rank gets the privilege of laying out about $650 (and rising) per annum to park in an elite space that could have been mine.
So my colleagues are grateful for my weird predilection... but almost none will emulate it.

Between my high stress job and my crazy family, the time I spend on my bike is for me, no stress, no complaining kids, no nagging girlfriend. I also save money, and I weigh the same I did in high school.

Offer to sell them some steroids.......and then leave them hanging while you walk away laughing.

*Not that I'm suggesting that Lance did any such thing.*

It's great that you're cycling, but two miles will soon start to seem pretty short, so if you are doing it partly for exercise, be sure to "take the long way home", and get some extra miles in. Also, think about walking to work once in a while. A two mile walk each way would be a huge health boost.

Seeing that today will be my first day riding home from work (I'm commuting every-other for now), I think it's appropriate to post my reasoning.

I love riding. It's enjoyable and I love the challenge. I hate cars and sitting in Hartford, CT traffic trying to cross three different highways just to go 3 towns over (on Friday ComiCon and a country concert tripled the time it took to get home). I value my health, the big big reason. The office I work in is NOT condusive to healthy life choices: literally every person aside from myself and one other person are significantly overweight (30 or more extra lbs). Company lunches are catered with extra cheese and meat pizzas, giant grinders covered in mayo and cheese, regular soda and potato chips. Basically, it scared the s**t out of me. At 22 years old, I figure habits started now will be easier to maintain throughout the years and I NEVER want to end up like my coworkers. Some of them even live in town, within 3mi and still drive to work.

Driving is expensive. My girlfriend has a giant commute and sucks up gas just by going to work, so anything I can do to lower the $500/month minimum we spend on gas alone is what I'll do. I used to commute in high school almost the same distance I will be doing now, but completely forgot. Also, I love nature and being outside, and will really appreciate the time to decompress.

I'll let you know what my coworkers think!

"Man, you are nuts riding a bike to work that far!!" Would be my first thought of what they'll say. They'll keep like that for a while until they see you are serious then they will just get used to it like a piece of furniture in the office. I look forward to hearing how your first commute turns out.

Some will think you're suicidal, some will think you're a dirty hippy, some will think you're a wannabe Lance Armstrong. We know, however, that you're just a regular guy who figured out a better way of getting to work.

I do it for the glory. And the chicks.

My commute calms me and helps put distance between me, my house, and work. It also is good exercise, and I hate oil companies so I get to screw them too in the process.

How's that working out for ya?

You calling me a wimp? :)

I had one fall on a day that was clear in the morning, with freezing rain in the evening, and I decided it just wasn't worth it to take the risk of falling again. When you fall on dry pavement, you fall "over" and you have time to get your foot on the ground and slow your fall. But when you fall on ice, the bike skids out from under you, and you fall straight down, and fast! So I will ride in any temperature if the pavement is clear (no wimping out due to cold), but never on ice or snow.

Drive to work...then Drive home...then work out??? NOO!

What a waste of time!

Skip the Drive and get the workout in! All while smelling new things, seeing new things, waking up without coffee, feeling great when you get to work, so excited to ride home after work, being fit, healthy, active--Feels so good!

Besides, living in Seattle, the traffic very very much so stresses me out!