Is a bike a good way to save money?

[MegaMagma39]

I'll bet if you did all your errands on a bike you would buy only what you truly need since you would have to haul that item home - saving money. Not only that but there are health benefits to biking - great idea!

Great point! I definitely want to bike more. Unfortunately, I have kids so it's not very likely that we can replace driving the truck anywhere, but I wish...bikes have certainly risen in price! Any tips on where to look for cheaper bikes (but still GOOD)? Even at Walmart, the bikes are around $200 each...

[Frugal]

Just found out yesterday a friend of the family had a minor/moderate accident last weekend where he was hit by a car biking in a bike lane in the local park. He was not at fault. I personally wish biking were safer. I don't feel safe knowing my family member bikes, even if he saves money. It is difficult to feel like they are safe.

If the cities would put some kind of median or divider separating bike lanes from the main road, it might help prevent accidents. Until then, I personally am not going to bike long distances on major roads, only in residential neighborhoods. That is my two cents.

[msarro]

If you live within 5 miles of your workplace its a great option, barring some significant obstacle (like having a workplace on top of a mountain). While I lived in a city and was about 2 miles away, it was fantastic. The commute was faster than driving, and it helped keep me healthier.

[Frugal]

Well, maybe so. My dad lives about 10-11 miles from work and I simply think that is too far. I mean, maybe in his 20s, if he was a professional athlete. I just worry about him biking so far when he is over 50. It can't be that safe, on major roads, either.

I think for short trips ,the bike might still be great.

[steveaz67]

I drive about 50,000 a year for work.... If it hits $6 a gallon, I may have to look at a bike. Great weight loss program.

[jteezie]

I live about 2 miles from work and RUN to work. It works great and saves a lot of money. I still own a car, but I put 3-4k miles on it per year. Just to throw out a number, I estimate I save about $10k post tax dollars each year vs the average American. You can do a lot with $10k.

You will however need a way to freshen up once you reach your destination. Luckily I have a gym and shower facilities at my work.

I did the same running routine when I went to college, but I didn't care how I smelled in class back then .

[achantforwinter]

I feel that it is an excellent way to save money. You cut out so many expenses being car free and the benefits to your health are worth it in itself.

[thefrugaltoad]

Great idea to save money. Only wish there were bike lanes so I could ride my bike to work in nice weather.

[timnz]

It depends, I was you I tired to earn more by managing my time better.

[krantcents]

I am an avid cyclist, but I would not use it to commute. I would need a shower and a change of clothes. I think public transportation may be a better choice.

[Frugal]

I agree that the public bus is a better and in my opinion a much safer option. I still worry about my dad biking to work each day. He has had some really close calls. School bus clipped him last year on a not-too-busy residential street, and almost knocked him down. His friends have mostly had some bad hits, where cars actually ran into them several times. It is not the safest way to get to work, esp. when you are competing with speeding, impatient cars on major roads who are MUCH bigger than you. A little metal-frame bike wouldn't stand a chance against a very large vehicle like an SUV.

[nick__45]

Well, maybe so. My dad lives about 10-11 miles from work and I simply think that is too far. I mean, maybe in his 20s, if he was a professional athlete. I just worry about him biking so far when he is over 50. It can't be that safe, on major roads, either.

I think for short trips ,the bike might still be great.

Unless there is a dedicate bike path as well as bike-friendly crosswalk areas, I wouldn't consider biking even if it's just 1 mile. Life is already short and hard, why would anyone want to make it harder by being bed-ridden.

There are a lot of cyclists here but these are just ego-maniacs taking up lanes. If one of them is run over, I won't loose any sleep over it as they cause car to have close-calls all the time. Unless you're in a city with dedicate bike paths or a kid riding with friends in your neighborhood, then cycling is simply stupid for people with too much time, money, and and attention seeking idiots.

[mans442]

I biked a few days a week when gas was approaching 4 bucks per gallon. I have a mid school higher end Mountain bike, which wasn't always ideal for the 7 mile one way commute. I live a the very bottom of a big, big hill, which doesn't exactly get me psyched early in the AM. I found the AM commute was more mellow, drivers were more patient, etc. On the commute home, however, people were always more aggressive. The lack of bicycle lanes here in New Hampshire makes it dicey at times. If there was a group of bike commuters going my route on a daily basis, that would motivate me more. Larger groups of cyclists tend to create a bigger presence on the road, which feels safer.

But, getting back on topic, it was cheaper. I was fortunate to have a shower at work. It's just the discipline of getting up earlier and packing the night before.

[KiwiJo09]

If things are close enough that you feel comfortable riding a bike the distances that you need to. With how far everything is for me, it's not realistic for me to buy a bike with the intention of using it outside of pleasure. I have, however, switched to taking the bus to the campus I need for school. It saves me about $4 a week. Not much, but it'll add up.

So my answer is, if you think you can swing it, why not? Even if it only saves you a few dollars, it's something.

[DaveL]

I try to work from home as much as possible to avoid a commute. But when I do have to go in, I would rather take the bus than try to bike 15 miles.