So I saved a $1.68 today by riding my bicycle to work

[smithenhiven]

I decided that I'm going to ride my bicycle to work as much as possible this summer. My initial motivation to do this was to get back in shape, and to prepare myself for the "Pittsburgh MS150" (which is a 150 mile bikeride that benefits Multiple Sclerosis) Then I thought about the money I'd save since I won't be driving my car.

My round-trip from home to work and back is 16.8 miles, and my Accord gets right around 30 mpg, gas around here is right around $3.00/gallon, so I figure I just saved $1.68.

So if I ride to work 4 days a week (although I work 5 days a week, but I'll give myself one day per week off incase the weather might be bad, or I need my car to transport stuff, or if I just don't feel like pedaling to work) for the next 16 weeks, assuming gas stays at $3/gallon this summer (which it most likely won't), I'll save around $107, plus I'm sure I'll drop a few pounds in the process.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by smithenhiven

I'll save around $107, plus I'm sure I'll drop a few pounds in the process.

And less pounds = easier to ride Not to mention muscle growth and extra energy

I find that when I do my regular rides... I eat like there's no tomorrow (perhaps offsetting my carbon output?)... But as soon as I stop (well, within a day) - my metabolism drops back significantly and, pardon the expression, my bowels aren't too happy either

But don't forget the savings in wear/tear on your vehicle too (as long as it gets a little attention). But really, given the health side of it - can you put a "savings" on better quality of life?

[MetroMPG]

Nice going. 17 miles is no small commute, either.

[Hockey4mnhs]

you guys are so lucky my work is 22 miles. thats way to far for me. i try to ride my bike to the small town down the road (3miles) but theres nothing there so i rarely ever go there

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Hockey4mnhs

you guys are so lucky my work is 22 miles. thats way to far for me.

Too far for electric assist?

[jdham137]

You also need to consider that not driving is the ultimate in fuel efficiency. I haven't been riding much and need to start again now that spring is finally hitting Maine. If you have a very long commute, try this. When I lived in Virginia I had a 38 mile commute, 2/3 of it on the highway, so biking was out. So what I did was I put the bike in the trunk, drove till I got off the highway, parked the car in a grocery store parking lot, and pedaled the rest of the way. This was after 9/11 when the lines to get on Navy bases were miles long and I did it just to avoid traffic. That was before I became "FE Aware."

John David

[MetroMPG]

John David - I know a guy who does something similar to that.

In the summer he drives in from the countryside with his bike on the back of his car, parks at the marina where he keeps his boat and then cycles another 10 km or so round trip to his office.

[repete86]

Wow! I try to bike when possible, but I can't bike that far. It's consistently over 90 degrees out now with humidity really high. I miss winter....

[QDM]

Wish I could ride a bike on my 28 mile daily commute, up and down hills, but that's just too far for me. My engine assist bicycle works nicely though and gets roughly 120 mpg.

Q

[Snax]

I've ridden to work every day for the last 2-1/2 weeks, and about 50% of the time for the previous 6 months before that. Yeah, it's only 5.5 miles round trip, but it's not helping me lose weight per se. I think I'm replacing fat with muscle though, as I've lost almost 3" around my gut and I'm more comfortable at higher and higher speeds.

I also like the fact that I'm able to jazz up my metabolism twice a day without overdoing it. Sometimes that means 8 minutes on the way to work, and 15 minutes into a headwind (why is it always a head wind?) on the way home, but it's making a difference.

The money we've saved is over $3000 during that time since we got rid of a $450/month payment by selling our second vehicle.