I started bike commuting almost by accident. My car was in the shop for a week, my office was 6 miles away, and I figured I’d ride my old mountain bike rather than deal with Uber surge pricing. That was three years ago. The car’s been fixed for a while now, but I still ride to work most days.
It wasn’t an environmental awakening or a fitness epiphany. I just realized that 25 minutes of cycling was better than 35 minutes of sitting in traffic getting annoyed. Here’s what I’ve learned since.
The Health Part Is Real
I accidentally lost 12 pounds in my first three months of commuting. Wasn’t trying to — wasn’t dieting or doing anything else differently. Just riding 12 miles a day, five days a week. My resting heart rate dropped from the low 70s to the low 60s. My doctor noticed before I did.
The mental health benefit surprised me more than the physical stuff. I arrive at work already having done something active, which puts me in a better headspace than arriving after fighting traffic. And the ride home is genuinely therapeutic — whatever stress the workday created gets pedaled out before I walk through my front door. My wife says I’m noticeably less irritable on days I ride versus days I drive.
The Money Is Surprising
I wasn’t tracking this on purpose, but after a year I added it up. Gas savings: about $150/month. Parking downtown: $180/month that I no longer pay. Reduced car maintenance (less mileage means fewer oil changes, brake pads lasting longer): maybe $50/month averaged out. That’s roughly $380/month, or about $4,500 a year.
My commuter bike cost $800. Maintenance runs maybe $200/year — new chain, brake pads, tires occasionally, annual tune-up. The bike paid for itself in under three months.
I still own a car for grocery runs, weekend trips, and the occasional day when the weather is genuinely terrible. But it sits in the driveway way more than it used to, and I’ll probably be able to keep it years longer because of the reduced mileage.
How to Start Without Overthinking It
Ride to work once. Just once. See how it goes. If it’s terrible, you tried. If it’s fine — and it probably will be — do it again later that week.
Plan your route for safety, not speed. My commute by car takes the main roads. My commute by bike uses residential streets, a bike path along the river, and one stretch of bike lane. It’s slightly longer in miles but feels much safer and more pleasant. Google Maps has a cycling mode that prioritizes bike infrastructure — use it.
You don’t need special gear to start. Regular clothes work fine for rides under 5 miles. For longer commutes, a change of clothes at the office and some baby wipes handle the sweat situation until you figure out if your workplace has showers. Mine does, which I didn’t even know until I started riding.
Good lights are non-negotiable, even if you only ride in daylight right now. Seasons change and eventually you’ll be riding in the dark. A solid front light and a rear blinky cost $50 total and make you visible. A decent U-lock ($40-60) keeps your bike secure while you work.
Start with one or two days a week. There’s no rule that says you have to commute by bike every day. I ride 3-4 days a week and drive when it’s pouring rain or when I have meetings across town. The flexibility makes it sustainable instead of feeling like an obligation.
Ask your HR department about bike commuter benefits. A surprising number of companies offer something — secure bike parking, shower access, maintenance reimbursement, or even a monthly stipend. My company gives me $50/month for commuting by bike, which I didn’t know existed until I asked.
Three years in, the thing I appreciate most isn’t the fitness or the money. It’s that my commute is something I look forward to instead of dread. That alone makes it worth trying.
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