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Sometimes it’s just not the time to ride your bike to work or school or on any other of those routes so regularly taken we call them our commute. In heavy rain or snow, when the mercury tops out in the 90s, when we have a banker’s box full of files to transport, or when we’re wearing our finest $3,000 suit, for example—these are all reasons to skip the bike commute for a day.
On all other days though, provided your destination is within five, even 10 miles of home and there are streets on which you can safely cycle, switching to bicycle commuting may be one of the best moves you ever make. Seriously.
Not convinced just yet? Here are five great reasons to consider bike commuting, and know that it would be easy to come up with many more.
1. You will save money – a monthly transit card in NYC costs $127 per month, or $1,524 per year. In Boston, an annual T pass comes to about $1,080. In Chicago, annual public transit fees cost $900 if you pay via lump sum. And on the costs go, city by city. Want to drive yourself? The average lease on a 2022 Honda Civic is about $4100 per year, plus a big down payment. And the average American spends about $3000 each year on gas.
2. You will never have to search or pay for parking again — Even when you skip the bus or train and drive yourself, where to put that car? Sure, some neighborhoods in America may still be easy and cheap to park in, but that's a rarity nowadays.
3. You will get exercise — Sure, everyone knows it’s important to get enough exercise, but who has the time? You do. Instead of sitting behind a steering wheel or jammed into the corner of a subway car, use your commute as a time to burn some calories, work those muscles, and get some fresh air.
4. You will be greener – Every time you bike to work, class, or to run errands, you are not driving or adding to the passenger load of the trains or busses, which means you are not adding pollution to our beloved planet. (Though to be fair a few of the bikes here are electric, so a small amount of carbon may be produced to charge them—it’s negligible, but we’re aware of it, for the record!)
5. You will save time – As crazy as it may sound, quite often riding a bike is faster than driving a car (or catching a cab or Uber), and much faster than taking a train or bus. On a bike, you can cut through alleys, use trails, hop from street to sidewalk, and even skirt the occasional stoplight or Do Not Enter sign and such. Not that you ever would, because you follow all laws, but… you could.
Sold on bike commuting and its many positive aspects? Then all you have to do is pick the best commuter bike for your specific needs and wants and then you’ll be ready to get rolling in cleaner, greener, fitter, faster, and more affordable style. (And yes, I tested all of these brands out first-hand. Really.)
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