Despite potholes and a few bad drivers THIS is why I ride a bike

[downfader]

1) I save money - lots of it (over £700 worth of bus fares, running a car would be about 3x that iirc)
2) I burn a few calories (I estimated that in a 6 mile trip to work I burn about 300 calories)
3) I feel healthier (even though I sometimes have minor issues with asthma, allergies and occasional migraines I feel cycling limits these from being more severe)
4) I get to work in half the time the bus takes to get there. 32 minutes riding.
5) When the city gets gridlocked I can still get home/to work!
6) I can take a scenic route into Southampton Common. Hear the birds sing, the breeze through the trees.
7) Riding for fitness can also be quite exhilarating!
8) I don't have to pay to park a bike
9) I don't have to pay for petrol or diesel
10) My cycling insurance is part of a cheap cycling organisation membership, which is about a 10th of the cost of car insurance for someone my age
11) Parking my bike doesn't impede the flow of traffic, and I can get the thing in the house!
12) I get to feel the elements, even hear them. As such I feel a little connected to nature

 

[MikeG]

I find that riding my bike gives me plenty of time to think up lists.........

 

[ScotiaLass]

I do it 'cos I love it!

 

[gazza_d]

I ride a bike when I can cos...

1. I just love riding the bike.
2. Riding keeps me healthier
3. Riding burns calories, allowing me to indulge my other hobby eating & not feel guilty.
4. Riding makes me feel awesome, especially at the top of a large hill, or dragging a trailer full of shopping home
5. Riding saves me money on fuel & car. Dropped my car mileage by 1/3 over the last year.
6. Riding for me is often more direct & convenient than the car so quicker.
7. Riding turns every trip, no matter how mundane, into a mini adventure
8. On a sunny day, nothing beats riding though a tree lined road/path with the birds singing.
9. Apart from riding down hills,. Nothing is better than that :-)
10. Did I mention that I do it cos I love it?

 

[BSRU]

Doesn't save me any money or time.

 

[Soup890]

Reasons why I cycle:

1. I get a good nights sleep
2. I feel refreshed when I get to work and wakes me up.
3. legs feel toned and powerful.
4. I do not have to rely on anyone.
5. I can challenge myself to do better.
6.free parking.

 

[Gez73]

I commute mostly because any other option would take about four times as long and rely on Buses being on time. I also enjoy it and have a mostly rural and light traffic commute. I would not like the 'mass start' traffic light and general hassle of city commuting. Still far and away the best start to my day. Gez

 

[Hitchington]

Gives me great looking buns.

 

[glenn forger]

I always get a seat.

 

[robbiejp77]

I love the fact that I don't have to go to the gym and do cardio and 2. not giving Southbloodyeatern any of my money !!!

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

I ride because:

1. I love it
2. I don't have to wait for buses
3. I don't have to sit near people who smell/have screaming kids/listen to rubbish music up far too loud/are ill
4. I beat those buses home
5. I've lost over 10 stone in commuting by bike, and can't wait to hit my target weight
6. I'm constantly pushing myself for faster times, further distances and seeing new sights (be it training for events or just a day out)
7. I have a sexy bike, and want to enjoy it's abilities and mine
8. Going downhill is awesome
9. Not clipping out in time, yet saving yourself, gives you a mini adrenaline rush and you feel like you're a god when you stand back up
10. Scooting past the traffic is great, especially when they've not long passed you (closely or whatever).

But, I will admit, I haven't exactly saved money since cycling, what I no longer spend on bus fares, I spend on maintenance, accessory upgrades and other "necessary" bits.

Keep on pedalling though!

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

I think if you really wanted to save money you could do it. Most people though start and find they like it so they end up spending more on things like a hobby would be rather than a purely functional mode of transport.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I think if you really wanted to save money you could do it. Most people though start and find they like it so they end up spending more on things like a hobby would be rather than a purely functional mode of transport.

These costs can mislead people to think bicycles are expensive, but they're not really, because the time you spend cycling keeps you fit and healthy, thus no need to pay for gym memberships and there are fewer doctor's fees. Then you can add to this what your employer saves by having a healthy, more productive employee who takes fewer days off sick. (I just wish my employer would recognise what a benefit to them my cycling is ).

 

[DooDah]

Cycling for me is an expense on top of general life. I cannot cycle to work, have the C2W scheme, I have to have a van for my work. However, the benefits in terms of well-being and fitness outweigh the expense IMO

 

[Moodyman]

Cycle commuting is expensive to start off, but it starts to pay after a few years. It took me about 3.5 years to offset the bike, accessories and clothing costs versus train fares.

I'm now well into the black as they say.