12 reasons to start using a bicycle for transportation
Economic instability and ever-increasing climate change are just two of the many reasons riding a bike is an excellent alternative to driving.
Photo: Lighter Footstep 
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The two main things I notice on the days I ride on my Hero Octane are: 1. How much energy I have all day long. And 2. How peaceful and relaxed I am during the ride--unlike when I don't ride. I am also an avid environmentalist who receives extra motivation from not using gas or oil.
I recommend it to EVERYONE! It's peaceful, good for the earth, and good for you(r body and mind)!
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I live in Copenhagen and have been commuting since I was six yers old. My best reason to take the bike is: It is the most easy and fastest way in Copenhagen to get from A to B
I live in Denver, and have been bike-commuting on and off for about two years. My route takes me through a combination of high density, narrow roads to low density, neighborhood streets. In the past few years our Mayor (now Governor) has really pushed a bike-friendly agenda, and as a result we now have many miles of wide, dedicated bike lanes throughout the city, and especially through downtown. We also have a law that cars must give at least 3 feet of space to a bike. My commute is 6 miles one.... More
I am a native of California, but have spent my last 30 years in northern Illinois. The coldest weather I ever biked in was 7*!! Even the firefighters were surprised when I road past them onto the bike trail. That was 17 years ago. Now if it's below 30* I check the wind first before I decide to ride.
My layoff and consequent death of the vehicle during my last two years of my degree program brought me back to biking. I hadn't biked out of necessity since my teens, only recreational. It took awhile to adjust -- adjust to buying groceries in small enough amounts so as not to make my bike tip over, for instance. After a year, I am in better physical and mental shape than ever. My lungs have a larger capacity and so I'm less winded. The only two concerns that remain are vehicular traffic.... More
Treat cars as the enemy and never let your guard down! Btw, cars really are the enemy. While you're huffing and puffing up that hill, they are spewing excessive amounts of poison for you to breath.
I use to ride my bike to work, because I lived in Florida and it was less than a
mile away. I can't ride 21 miles in rain, snow, etc. on Long Island. There is
hardly any public transportation here, if you took the train, who picks you up?
should be about an hour and a bit, would change your life~!
I live in Canada and ride everyday. Dress for the weather and get over it!!!
In the Netherlands the cars have to watch the people on a bike very carefully. Because when there is an accident, the biker is allways right!
This is amazing for me, since here in eastern europe cyclist are abused by 4 wheeled monster suv's and idiots on the road. Biker is always right... it makes sense because what cyclist would want to have a crash with a 2 ton car? You guys are way ahead of your time.
I would love to ride my bike to work. I live in Hawaii and the weather is wonderful ...
BUT there aren't any safe bike paths that keep bicycles away from cars that go far enough or to and from the right places.
A person might be able to ride their bike to work if they live in Moosebreath, Montana. But most of us live in cities, and with people eating, talking on cell phones, having sex, shaving, brushing their teeth, texting, who has time to pay attention to the road, never mind the cyclists trying to ride on it. People in cars simply have no interest in extending any courtesy to cyclists - ride at your own peril.
Your driver's license was issued on the condition that you drive safely. It's not about courtesy, it's about your obligations under the law. Motorist kill 40,000 people every year. You, not the cyclist, are responsible for the perils you create with your car.
Many thanks for being so considerate. Maybe, if everybody gets some reason, people will actually pay attention to others on the road. This will increase safety a lot, and not only the safety of bikers.
Lets face it, Americans are simply too lazy, out of shape and over weight to ride a bike anywhere. Then there is the fact that they have moved as far from work as they can get. They have all the reformed smoker excuses that I can stand to hear. Lets just go and kill to get some more oil.
People will start riding when gas goes to $5 a gallon which not too far off especially here in the San Francisco Bay Area, California
I guess that's why bicycle sales are in excess of $6 billion annually with over 15 million units sold. I suppose your 'lazy Americans' buy all of these bikes and let them sit in the garage...
I just got a bike today to do some commuting and I would like to thank MNN for this article and the one 2 weeks ago about the 10 best bikes for commuting and why they are so beneficial. Thanks, again.
#3 is wrong. A proper maintained bike means keeping parts properly greased and your chain oiled. That oil and grease will drip on the road especially if it's raining. Also bikes emit carbon dioxide from the riders heavy breathing.
#9 is wrong. Unless you are traveling the same speed as traffic the only way a bike is faster is if you are breaking the rules of road by riding in between stopped cars. This is extremely dangerous and will get you killed.
I bike to work a lot. The.... More
#3 - A bicycle emits no carbon dioxide, no matter how hard the cyclist breathes. The cyclist's breath and exhaust emissions both contain carbon dioxide, a comparison akin to the way a rubber ducky and an aircraft carrier both float on water.
#9 - It's perfectly legal and completely safe to pass a line of stopped cars or take a lane among motor traffic. It's far more dangerous to hug the curb in a narrow lane and encourage motorists to squeeze by a few inches away from your elbow.
Lighting systems are incredible now. I run 3 blinkers in the rear, double headlight in front, the total weight is under a pound and total price is less than $200.
#3 is indeed, in the literal sense, wrong. Per driven mile though, the amount of oil leaking from a bike is not even remotely comparable to that of cars. Due to their weight, btw, the same thing holds for the amount of rubber coming off the tires.
With proper bike lines (I know they are rare, but that COULD change, now couldn't it?) your point about #9 is wrong. I bike, in a dedicated bike lane, past cars in a jam almost every day...
About only being able to bike into work because.... More
Bikes may be good if you live close to work but really how much fuel do.you think your burning driving the distance you can go in a bike. Plus you have to worry about people in real vehicles running you over.. bikes are not the answer to our fuel prices and its time for your liberal leader to stop pointing his finger at bush and take action.
I have been sick far less than my co-workers all winter long here. Never felt better due to the daily cardio exercise. Anyone who rides knows the worry about being run over is less than the worry of some idiot turning in front of you by misjudging your speed or "not seeing you" despite fact you have lights and hi-vis clothing. I have tracked avoided fuel burning emissions from my biking vs. bus riding or my hybrid car-- and it has added up to over 100 tree-years worth of carbon-- thousands of.... More
why you're unhappy. Cyclists are reducing pollution, reducing congestion and not sending money to petrodictators to use try to kill Americans. They're healthier and more productive than the average American. And they have killer butts.
FYI, my commute is 12 miles each way, just under the average, and it take me only 5 minutes more than driving. And I never have to go to the gym, so I actually save time. The clincher is it saves me $3000 a year.
Like I said, I understand why.... More
Bicyclists weaving in and out of moving traffic are a hazard pure and simple. I suspect the "killer butts" part is your real interest.
Brake Hard is right. Weaving cyclists are a safety hazard, but mainly to themselves and none at all to motorists. It's a common beginner's mistake to hug the curb and weave in and out of traffic to avoid parked cars, grates, and debris. It's safer to ride in a straight, visible, predictable line, well away from roadside dangers. If the lane is too narrow for a car and a bike to share safely, ride right in the middle of the lane.
Why 12 reasons? Reasons 1 and 11 are the same. So are 3 and 8. And 6 and 12! THAT'S why I don't have a bike, redundant reasoning.
Unfortunately I don't live in one of the densely populated areas of the country. It is just not practical for me to ride a bike 23 miles each way just to goto work in an office setting. Plus there is literally NO way to get from my house to my job without getting on an interstate due to the lack of road development.
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An exon funded researcher once wrote that Biking causes male infertility. Please make a note before you bike. Thank you Exon and Mr. D Cheney.
Aside from the philosophical question as to how many people we do need, the answer to male infertility issues has been around for close to a century[sic]; the recumbent bicycle! VERY comfortable, when you find the ride that fits you and eases shoulder/wrist concerns, neck, back and knee issues.
Cost worries you? There are MANY used models available for the price of or close to, that of a new diamond framed bicycle.
If you're afraid to take that logical step, then there are.... More
I'm a big supporter of bikes, but I also believe that it is essential for ALL cyclists to follow the rules of the road and exercise caution. Groups like "critical mass" set a bad example by encouraging followers to ignore traffic laws and exhibit rudeness toward pedestrians and drivers. Living in a major city I have been yelled at, run off of the sidewalk, and hit by rude cyclists. End "critical mass" now. Riding a bike is a choice, not a political movement or an excuse for angry/unhappy.... More
no one will believe this but my husband commutes on his bike and has for about 15 years now...he also rides on the weekends...he has 75000 miles on one of his bikes...we live in San Diego- he is an officer in the Navy and is in good shape! He has been hit by cars 3 times...only once did he end up in the hospital. Minor injuries.
He will ride till he can't ride anymore. He came home on ride to work day one year and he had people honking at him and hi 5-ing him, he could not figure.... More
I've ridden a bike for transportation, but in the midwest it's just not practical during the winter months, a car is still a necessity! Riding a bike on snow or ice is dangerous, I know, I've done it! Freezing temperatures are another problem we in the rust belt have to contend with. Not everyone has great weather year round.
The icebike.com site has a lot of good information about cycling in freezing temperatures. It's not for everyone but it can be done.
specifically Nokian and Schwalbe make great carbide-studded tires for bikes. I only use them in the bad winter months, but they make a huge difference, no more fishtailing now on the crumby stuff!
In addition to the environmental/economic/health benefits, bikers tend to be a friendlier lot (tho there are exceptions of course). In Europe I saw huge crowds of bikers commuting to work and chatting with each other, being considerate and following the laws. biking is less anonymous
a couple of the riders in that photo need to air up their tires, big time....
I was just as concerned as any of the naysayers before I started riding to work. I didn't think I'd have the energy to get to work, 5 miles, or even if I did, that I'd be too tired to ride back.
3 years later, I'm riding to work well over 140 times a year and with extra trips by bike, I've ridden over 3100 miles last year, 700 miles so far this year.
To start, read whatever you can about safe riding practices; whether you're worried or not, before riding to work, try it on a.... More
Theres an excuse for everything it seems...do it or dont but why beat up on the very IDEA of doing it?? Its ridiculous...to me, those that dont bike to work or to run errands are missing out but thats their call..and i agree with the posters that are saying you need to pay attention - always - and NEVER assume that drivers see you!!
Well said. I have one neighbor who was honest. He said he just didn't want to do it. No excuses were made or contrary arguments give.
until my husband got hit by a truck!
No shower available at work.
For 8 years I biked to work when I lived in MA. Took one year off after getting broadsided by a minivan but did get back on the bike.
Now that I work for a health insurance company I can't ride because we don't have a shower. Go figure.
?? Not sure what not having a shower has to do with you not biking to work.
THANKS....FORTHEgreatARTICLE/COMMENTS..............
WHYnotTRYPUBLICTRANSPORTATION......................................
Public transportation doesn't go near where I live. Not everyone lives in "Metropolis."
Texas has Milemeter insurance company that can insure a low-utilization car for a fraction of the normal insurance cost. I have saved thousands on insurance alone. More states need that. After all, sometimes you need the car but 1,500 miles/year on a car shouldn't require as much insurance as 15,000/year.
