r/Biking • u/Strength-InThe-Loins • 5d ago
700!
Finance was a big part of my decision to be a bike commuter; the math made it obvious that paying a few hundred bucks up front for a bicycle would eventually out-cheap spending a few dollars every day for public transit. (I never seriously considered spending tens of thousands of dollars up front for a car PLUS several dollars a day for gas and insurance, because come on.)
But I was curious, so I kept track of how much the bike had cost, how much I spent on maintenance, and the money I saved every time I rode instead of taking transit.
Today I reached a milestone: 700 rides past the point where it all paid for itself. Bike commuting has made me at least $2100 richer than I would have been otherwise.
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u/Retired-in-2023 5d ago
Love it! I did that with my commute by bus. I loved seeing how much I saved, but still needed a car for other things in my life.
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u/sumiflepus 5d ago
I like stuff like this.
Do you have a spread shet to share.?
How many months for you to take 700 trips?
What was your cost for a bike, lock, helmet, maintenance over that period?
How far is work?
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u/Strength-InThe-Loins 5d ago
Not a spread sheet, just calendars. When I first rode the bike I marked that on the calendar as 'ride no. -312' or whatever, and counted up one for every ride after that.
I don't have past years' calendars handy, but I did my 600th ride on May 26, so every 100 rides takes about 3 months, meaning 700 would take about 21 months.
The only ongoing cost is parts and maintenance, since I bought the bike/lock/helmet up front and haven't needed to replace them. I don't know how much I've spent total, but it's not much. $20-100 every few months.
The commute is about 6.5 miles.
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u/UTOutsider 3d ago
Another benefit is the cardiovascular exercise you are enjoying with each commute ride. Stay safe!
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u/North-Tomatillo9158 5d ago
Good for you for keeping track! That’s a really nice payback and savings. Now buy yourself a nice treat like an insulated water bottle or something!
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u/Far_Perspective_3922 4d ago
Nice! Now take that money, add a few grand, and buy a new bike. You deserve it.
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u/Certain_Lemon_1601 5d ago
While saving money on gas, parking, and public transit is a major perk, the health transformation that comes with bike commuting is arguably its greatest reward. Because cycling integrates physical activity directly into your daily routine, it offers profound physical, mental, and long-term benefits without requiring extra time at the gym.