ClydeClydeson

This is a difficult question because I have not bought a 'bike' in many years, just parts, wheels and tires to keep the Bike of Theseus rolling.

I don't really track my mileage. Based on an approximate cost for a comparable bike plus regular maintenance, I would estimate owning a bike similar to mine would have cost about $3000 over the past 15 years, and I estimate 15-20k km of riding, so between 20 cents/km and 15 cents/km

Litespud

My bike's 20 years old and most of the components are 15-20 years old, with >60,000 miles, so it's hard to factor that into the equation. My only real recurring expenses are tires and drivetrain components:
3 tires (~$120)/~7000 mi = 1.7 cents/mile
3 chains ($80)/~12000 mi = 0.7 cents/mile
1 cassette ($50)/12000 mi = 0.4 cents/mile
chainrings (~150)/24000 mi) = 0.6 cents/mile
Other wear items (BB, brake pads, cables, bar tape) are irregular and really aren't that expensive, so we're looking at ~3.4 cents/mile for tires and drivetrain

L134 

I use the IRS standard mileage rate.

kingston 

I probably spend $2-3k per year and ride 5-6k miles, so around 40-50¢/mile I'm into randonneuring, so a lot of my expenses go to travel, hotel and food.

This got me thinking, I could flip the equation around, set a budget per mile, say a dollar, and justify a lot more bike purchases. Then the more I ride the more stuff I get to buy.

I-Like-To-Bike

What is that for bicycles? I assume it is zero.If you are using the standard rate for motor vehicles on your tax returns, you might as well see if you can get away with using standard mileage rate for privately owned aircraft! BTW, what is your business that that has bicycle mileage related expenses? Commuting back and forth to your regular workplace isn't a legit business expense no matter what mode of transportation you use.

Troul 

newspaper delivery services can use a bicycle as a deduction.

shelbyfv

GlennR

I'm around 40¢ per mile... I have 27,000 miles on it.

Wileyrat

I used to fish.....A lot. What with my whitewater raft and rowing frame, trailer, and all the rods reels, tackle, and associated gear, I can tell you that my cost per mile is a LOT less than my cost per fish.

caloso

FWIW, my employer will reimburse bike mileage at the IRS rate for approved business travel (not commuting). I've never claimed it, but I have claimed a Jump Bike fee a few times to attend meetings across town.

rsbob 

I learned restoring classic cars to never add up receipts. Just like my wife doesn’t add up her plant purchases. It’s a fair agreement since she will never come close.

Smiles per mile is my measure

Koyote

I spend most of my money on bikes and beer, and then I squander the rest.

GlennR

Hookers and blow?

tomato coupe

Don't know ... don't care.

spelger

downtube42

When I first acquire the bike, unless it's free, cost per mile is infinite. It goes down rapidly from there as I ride. The curve bends as maintenance cost occur, but gets smaller and smaller over time. Eventually there's going to be a minimum, bumped up from time to time with maintenance. If I keep it long enough, there might be a spike as it's upgraded. Presumably, both miles and costs end.

We're not discussing savings here, nor other costs related to bicycling. For me at least, I suspect those numbers far surpass purchase and maintenance costs.

I-Like-To-Bike

Sure legitimate expenses but not fanciful "mileage rates" made up from imagining that a bicycle is a motor vehicle and has the same cost of operation.

BTW, does anybody make enough money delivering newspapers by bicycle to pay any taxes?

debade

I am reading this before falling back to sleep so if interested OP can find the online calculator comparing cost tof commute by auto and bike. It will help answer the commuting cost question not the hobby/fitness one.

John_V 

I'm more concerned with enjoyment per mile than cost per mile.

Milton Keynes

Naw, he said "squander."

mstateglfr 

All my bikes are built up from the frame, or even built the frame. Ive swapped around components so much I have genuinely no idea what anything costs overall, much less per mile.
Ill guess $.023456789/mile.

indyfabz

I have no idea because I don’t keep track of costs or good track of miles.

aplcr0331

He said squander. So, I'm guessing things like rent and car payments.

Wilmingtech

My cost per mile was super low until I bought power meter pedals and a Garmin 1030 plus.

Troul 

You might be able to find that news... in a newspaper.