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4 reasons I commute by bike

This is my bicycle there are many like it but this one is mine.

Since roughly the beginning of summer I have been exclusively riding my bike to work as opposed to driving.  I'm starting to see that I may not need that second car to get from my house to my job everyday.  Here is a nice little four part list of why I've decided bicycle commuting is for me.



Its good for my body

It is recommended that adults have at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise per week.  Without biking I'd have a hard time justifying taking time away from my family or job to go run on a treadmill or do whatever other boring thing people do to stay in shape.  Biking to work takes me about 15 minutes down hill, coming back 20 something minutes uphill...  I'm sure I have 150 minutes of moderate intensity excessive in there somewhere ;)

It's pretty incredible to see the difference I have in endurance after just one week of picking up the bicycle again.  Not to mention its a lot more fun than going to the dreaded gym.


Its good for the planet

Commuting by bike allows me to not need to burn fuel to power my 3,000+ lbs car 6.6 miles every weekdays just to get my 200 lbs body to and from work.  Not driving those days reduces my CO2 emissions by almost one ton per year.


Its good for my wallet

Again commuting by bike allows me to not drive my car everyday.  This cuts down on both fuel costs and maintenance.  It costs me about $0.60 to drive my car a mile (big whoop right), but over the course of a year that could add up to over $1,000.  If I had a nicer, less fuel efficient car, had to pair for parking, tolls or if I had a loan on my car this would be considerably more.

My ultimate goal is to make it through the winter without commuting by car.  Mostly to show myself that I really don't need it so I can go ahead and get rid of it.  If I sell it this will put money in my pocket which I can use for better things like paying down debts (buying freedom), buying flowers for my wife, etc.  I'll also have to stop paying insurance on it making my monthly budget slightly less tight.


Its good for my sanity

I tend to be one of those people who requires a little solitude every once in a while to stay sane.  Biking everyday gives me 30 minutes everyday doing the mindless task of peddling my feet allowing me to alone with my thoughts.  (Unless I'm trying to avoid being hit by a car while turning that is.)

Its also just plain nice to spend some time outside.  I tend to stay indoors unless I have a very good reason to go outside, realizing that I spend most days in my house getting in my car to go to work, which is indoors, then getting in my car to go back home, totally missing out on the benefits that fresh air and sunlight bring.   Biking to work (and having kids) gives me a good reason to spend at least some of my day outside.


Update:  I did end up selling my car.  Now I have no choice but to bike... Or bug the wife into driving me ;)

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