As cycle commute distance increases, so do food costs. Still cheaper than driving IMO, especially with the incalculable health benefits. Will vary of course with the individual, and the style of riding (eg fast vs liesurely pace).

For example, most times I commute as a sprint (7 or 10miles) into work-then will eat a very large meal within 1 1/2 hours. Plus lunch later into the shift.

I have no car and I'm poor. It makes sense and it is the source of my disposable income-- jesus, if i had to make a car payment plus insurance, gas, and repairs-- no thanks.

Even owning a car outright has it's own issues as they are almost always out of warranty.

I think you must be using the "new math".
How many $600 dollar cars don't require extra repairs? What about registration, the potential of getting a ticket, etc?
Most public transit systems have monthly passes available at a savings. In Dallas it's $40 per month, or $480 per year.

I think you are also working on the flawed asssumption that low-income people (or any people for that matter) do what is in their best economic interest. Even the most run-down houses and apartments will sport cable or a satellite dish. People don't act rationally, they operate on perceived/ingrained cultural "needs", even if it means screwing themselves.

I think you should maybe rephrase that. "I have no car and I'm economically poor". I could almost guarantee that because you cycle, you are far from poor in many other ways.

I find this statement interesting because the poor are driving cars. It's easy to own a car and even those making under the poverty level will qualify for a car loan easliy if their credit is good. In fact, bankruptcy and poor credit will qualify you for a new car if you can put a couple of thousand down.

The original poster thinks the poor are not cycling becuase motor transport is inexpenive. Yet, I see many "poor" individuals driving new cars and these folks are working as retail clerks! Go figure.

Try using the calculator at www.bikemetro.com. It really works out to saving a ton of money by commuting, and burning a lot of calories in the meantime. SBhikes has it right: you save money by not spending it on gas. Plus, I lost weight and I have a TON more energy for work and life.

Love it!

However bear in mind you incur those costs EVERY year.

With a bicycle you have one major cost at purchase and minimal upkeep costs... In fact, I am doing a major overhaul on a bike I have ridden over 20 years and that overhaul, including tools is about $300. I bought the bike in the '80s for about $1200; add in tires and tubes at perhaps $60 a year and my bike costs total about $2700 for 20 years, or $135 a year... that is less than the cost of your annual gas bill... and gas is going up every day.

Seems like simple math to me.

this is my main motivation for moving somewhere warmer like florida (here in denver, co you have a few days when it gets a little too icy / snowy to even think about being on a bike)... I would love to sell the car and just rely on the bike, but the weather and extremely crappy public transportation are holding me back.

I'm also curious how I would handle the dating scene without a car. It would be strange to ask a girl out, then let her know that you cant pick her up because you dont own a car.... I know it shouldnt matter if she's worth keeping, but it could still make it interresting to say the least...

peace-
shaun

Sounds like you're stuck in the 50s or something...
Don't people just decide to meet at a certain place and transport themselves there separately?

Do people still do it that way? Wow...

I think your last line says it all. In fact, I dated a couple women (at different times of course) during my no car days... married one of them... and she even kicked me out of her apartment one night at midnight... one of those early relationship things. Rode my unlit beach cruiser all the way home in the dark... some 14 miles. We still laugh about it.

A bit of planning and forethought has to take place... item one is ensuring that she knows you do not drive, you only ride a bike. That may just be part of your "alluring charm." Then make plans to first meet at places you can easily ride to without needing a shower... local art and music shows, small charming local restuarants. (no point in turning her off by arriving as a sweaty mess) I knew this local guy that rode a penny farthing in period dress to "special occasions;" it really was charming and "too cool." Of course he lived in a part of town that had lots of small shops, restuarants and galleries... so it really worked for him.

Later either she rides and you go together, or she drives and you ride to her place first (at a certain point showers at her place become "OK") or she picks you up. Big evenings can be done by taxi or better yet, rented limos... (no woman can resist being picked up in a rented limo).

There really is no reason that two people can't have a long wonderful relationship on two wheels. (or really a pair of two wheels) Complications may arise much later after the birth of a child... But that is a far distant bridge to cross much later...

BTW that woman I married... I loaned her money to buy a bike.... we later did several long rides together as part of our "courting." Just the other day we were joking... she still hasn't paid me back. (20+ years )

The last few posts reminded me of this old song...

Daisy Daisy
Give me your answer true
I'm half crazy
All for the love of you

It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two

I don't live far from work, just a 8-9 mile round trip, so I don't really save much on gas. We own two cars (the minivan and my wife's old Prelude), but we have a pretty good deal on insurance since it's a combined policy with the house. So those are not major factors in my calculations.

But parking in downtown Sacramento is very expensive. The city garage next to my building is $170 per month. So taking nothing more into account, I feel like the bike has put an extra two grand in my pocket every year. (Hell, it paid for a Dura Ace upgrade on my race bike and I've still got a chunk of change left. )

You know, with what I save on parking, I could justify buying a brand new very nice bike every year and just giving it away after 12 months.

For this length commute, your food costs will go down after awhile...like after a year or 2 as your body adjusts to cycling. At least it did for me at first, I ate probably 30% more...now after 4yrs of riding the same or slightly longer route, my appetite is back where it was before cycling......Your mileage may vary.

A brilliant idea on the limo. It's amazing what you can think of when that extra money is floating around .

Whoa, that's definitely not the case around here. Public transport (bus) costs the same as gas (for me), and it's not exactly flexible. My car is only worth about $2,500 but I spent about $100-150 on gas per month, plus $1,200 per year for insurance. I bought a trek 820 for $75. In the first month I had to have the BB replaced and my heatset tightened ~$40, but I've saved enough in gas to cover the cost of the bike and repairs...
plus, I lost ten pounds in 10 days and haven't been healthier.

Yeah, but what about the second verse:
Henry, Henry
Here is your answer do.
I'm quite crazy
All for the love of you.

But there won't be any marriage
If you can't afford a carriage.
Cause I'll be damned if I'll be crammed,
On a bicycle built for two.

A person that works where I do got a heart by-pass last week. Her insurance picked up most of the bill, so her "co-pay" will only be about $10,000. If she had spend $300 on a bike, and used that bike ten or fifteen hours a week, she would not have needed the by-pass. Would have saved her about $9,700, and a remarkable scar on her chest.

It is a problem and a big one.

We live in a materialistic world and status is based on motor car and home ownership. One of the reasons why I'm thinking of moving into New York City is for this very reason. It's understood that unless you're doing very well in Manhattan, most people don't have cars and asking someone (male/female) out on a date is easy because they don't expect you to drive!

However, for those living in the burbs, it's not easy at all. I don't have any answers.

Women expect you to have wheels by the time you hit 20. In fact, I see loads of kids in high school driving expensive leased cars by the time they hit 18! As a young person without rich parents, it's even harder to afford a car because you're not earning much money. Yet, men are expected to go into debt to live a lifestyle they really can't afford to impress the opposite sex. What women don't understand is that motorcar ownership makes you even poorer which results in having less money to spend on them. All too often, men hide the struggle by using credit cards to pay for gifts and costly resturants since all the cash went into the car. I've been there.

On the light rail the other day, I saw a couple heading for work. They were both in their mid to late 40's and were holding hands walking down the street. The man on one hand had an old beat up deparment store bike since it was obvious he was escorting her to work. You could tell right away he was a transportation cyclist who was dating someone who couldn't care less about the bicycle. That's the person you need. I was envious.

I have no interest in dating someone who judges me based on the cost of my vehicle.

So the fact that I don't have a car works to weed them out pretty effectively. Win win.

haha...you all think it's bad... for me... car payment 480...insurance 380...gas 200/month repairs..what not...yeah the list is endless...I hate being young...makes me just want to avoid cars all together...that's over a grand a month I'd have before I got into repairs and what not....being young sucks

Economical incentive to bicycle commuting
Methane gas is harmful to the ozone layer
Farting contributes to methane in the air
Unhealthy lifestyles cause people to fart more
Bicycle commuting aids in realizing a healthy lifestyle
Thus!
One who commutes by bicycle is doing his/her own part in preventing the rapid depleting of the ozone layer which in turn is an economical incentive.

I have too much time on my hands

The Greatest Incentive (to me at least) about commuting on bike.........

it fun.

Trying jumping up a curb. Once on a bike, and then again in a buick. I am sure both would be fun, but the buick wouldn't take it to well.

I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you: Cyclists sometimes need by passes and have heart attacks. Some of us have even been known to go on to that bike lane in the sky. Of course if you only ride often enough, and hard enough--you might live to be two or three hundred years old!

Yes, that's true, but it's the quality of life, not the quantity of life, that counts. And I think we can all agree that our quality of life is better for riding a bike.