Why Bike Commute?

During the next few months I'll be writing a column about bike commuting. The articles are intended for those who don't bike commute and would like to know more about how to get started and to learn some tips on how to do it well.

The choices we make - I've been bicycle commuting for the past 23 years. Early on I decided that I would live close enough to my office to be able to bike commute. Over the years I was often tempted to move further out into the country to enjoy a little more space and fresh air, but in doing so I would have contributed to the problem I was fleeing, and I would not have had the time I desired to enjoy my new home because I would have been sitting in commuter traffic for hours a week.

A little riding each day adds up - I've lived within 4 miles of my workplace for most of this time. I've logged approximately 35,000 miles on the bike: 6 miles a day for 5 days a week for 50 weeks a year for 23 years.

Reasons to bike commute - There are many reasons to bike commute. The first and to me the most important is that it's fun. I look forward to the ride each day. I especially enjoy returning from work on a cool, clear day.

Here are some other reasons:

It's inexpensive - Some initial costs are involved, but compared to driving a car or using public transit, it's much cheaper. On gas alone I save about $60 a year. I drive fewer miles in my car and qualify for a lower insurance rate. Maintenance and wear and tear on my car are much less than if I drove. There are no bike tolls either.

It's good for the environment - Short car trips are the most inefficient trips made. The car doesn't become efficient until it has warmed up, and for a commute of less than 5 miles the car never properly warms up. According to the EPA, ½ of the 900 million car trips that Americans take each day are less than 5 miles long. We generate a little more CO2 when riding, but that's about the extent of the "pollution" generated.

It's an easy way to get a workout - Even on short commutes you can get a decent workout. A 20-minute morning and afternoon aerobic workout has a tremendous beneficial effect on your total fitness. And here in Northern Virginia we can ride year round. Sometimes the roads are covered with snow, but that doesn't last long. With the proper gear, riding in cold weather is probably more comfortable than riding in hot weather.

Live too close to commute? - One of the worst excuses for not commuting by bike is that the commute is too short. If you want a longer commute, there's always the option of finding a longer route to work, either on the way to work if it's cooler, or on the way home when you don't care if you work up a sweat.