With the never-ending increase in fuel prices, and a similar increase in my waistline, I’ve tried picking up commuting to work by bike. I’m into my second week, and I love it. Here are the top 10 reasons to commute by bike, in no particular order.
- Be Productive. Do you find yourself saying you never have time to exercise, but then spend 30-60 minutes in your commute? Commuting by bike combines your commute with exercise — two birds with one stone.
- Exercise. 20 minutes on a bike can get you 4-5 miles and burns 225 calories. A round-trip will burn 500!
- Save money. You’ll save $300/year in fuel alone if you bike a 10 mile round-trip commute just 3x week.
- Relieve stress. My 25 minute, 5 mile ride is a great time to transition from work to home. And I have a good excuse not to be answering my cell phone.
- Meet people. When you bike, people wave at your. You meet other bikers. I can’t remember the last time I met someone while driving, and the only signal I ever got involved a middle finger.
- Save time. My commute by car would normally take 15 minutes on a good day, 30 on a bad one. Biking takes 22-23 minutes, regardless of what type of day it is
- Keep cars off the road. Because sometimes it isn’t about you.
- Help the environment. Ditto.
- Get Zen. This may sound fluffy, but I feel more “connected” to things biking. I notice the environment around me much more, if not for safety reason, but because sometimes I’m going up a hill at 8 MPH.
- You can speed to your heart’s delight. 35mph in a car may not be fun. 35mph on a bike is every time.
Not ready to commute by bike? Then consider making any destination by bike — picking up groceries, running an errand, or even going to the gym.
Other bloggers have similar top 10 lists.
