Petrichorwheels
Senior Member
My main use for a car - were I to have one - would be to go to the German discount supermarket for my groceries. There isn't one within easy walking distance, nor is there a bus service to the nearest one. So until last summer I'd been getting a taxi - either there and back to the nearest, or bus to another, and taxi back. It used to be a weekly expense of £10 - £15 but since getting my bike last summer and fixed up with roomy racks and baskets front and back, I think I've gone the taxi route maybe half a dozen times in nearly 18 months, which by my reckoning means the bike has paid for itself and anything else I get from it - pleasure, for instance! - is free.
great nitty.
Bought a brommie years ago and reckon that it paid for itself in not a lot of time in shopping trip savings.
Don't use that bike so much now but the principle holds. I still shop by bike.
Quality panniers, even though price might seem bonkers at first, also well worth it if you can afford them.
My Ortiebs have been going strong for near on a quarter of a century - also paid for I reckon.
I see a German theme here - quality lugging stuff, cheap(ish) non ponced food prices.