5 Reasons To Start Bike Commuting

May is Bike To Work Month, so I thought it would be fitting to do a video on the Top 5 reasons why you should start commuting to work by bike.

[BikeTouringMike]

My daily commute is about 18 km (11 miles) one-way. It's pretty flat and almost free from cars most of the way. What is your commute like? Would love to hear about it below!

[kdstoffel]

I bicycle commuted for 15 years. Rain or shine, I rode about 26 mi per day with a total of around 6500mi per year. It took only slightly longer than the same distance by car with all the traffic. I’ve never calculated how much money I saved on fuel, but my car is a ‘08 model and only has around 48k miles so I have a substantial savings there too. The amount of exercise, fresh air, and enjoyment was priceless. I strongly recommend anyone who lives within a 10-15 mile distance from their workplace to consider bicycle commuting. It’s a great way to fit exercise in an otherwise busy life while simultaneously reducing stress and clearing the mind. An additional benefit is that you’ll always be well conditioned for touring.

[mikeaustin]

I decided to try "bike commuting" eight years ago. It was either ten miles round trip or sixteen, depending on the route. On days with poor weather (I live in Oklahoma City) I would drive my truck. After a few months of this, I decided to do to my truck what Cortez did with his ships---get rid of it. I was now forced to ride to work come Hell or high water. And so I did. Storms, snow, freezing rain, 50 mph wind gusts: I rode the bike through it all.

I retired two years ago and still do not have a vehicle. I bike everywhere. I have even taken up bikepacking, traveling over 2000 miles with bike, tent and stove. Getting rid of my vehicle and riding my bike was one of the best decisions I ever made.

[markstevens]

I love commuting to work by bike. It’s how I originally got into riding. I’m able to ride to work 2 or 3 times a week. My commute is 12kms each way and quite hilly. It’s been great for my fitness.

[donaguitar]

I totally agree with you Mike, I have been commuting by bike for some years now, I started with 20km each way but mostly along the canal then I moved and now I have 12 km but it is with some climbs, not to steep but hard enough. I find it relaxing, surely with the possibility to shower at work and change clothes, this is a great advantage. Unfortunately since Corona we have to work at home, so no more daily bike rides. But I make rides in the weekend to compensate. And in the city at rush hour the bike is faster than car or bus, I had a neighbour who worked in same area as me, he took his car but when we started at same time I was at work after my ride and shower when he arrived, so I convinced him to ride a bike, we rode together for a while and he was delighted, never took his car after, so I am pleased that I made my contribution to nature by making him change from car to bicycle.

[iangraham]

Less stress by bike. When I use to teach I felt less stressed by commuting to school by bike and an early morning commute when the sun is rising cannot be beaten for uplifting the soul. Thankyou Mike.
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[BluecollarBackcountry]

Great points Mike. I'm retired and don't have to make that commute but I think the world would be much happier and healthier if more people tried getting around on their bikes.

[c_steve_j]

I had been wanting to do the commute to work for quite some time but just didn't do it. So a few weeks ago I did a ride to work and back on a weekend day. One, to see if the route I picked was safe and two, to see how sweaty I was going to be when I arrived at work. Both were acceptable. But, summer is not here yet. And I don't have easy access to showers. But for the past week I have been commuting to work and back. Other than 2 small road sections my ride is very scenic on trails. 17 miles (27.5 km) one way. It feels so good to start and end my day with a bike ride. Thanks for the nudge!

[WheelsonaBike]

Thanks for another great video! I used to commute by bike pre-pandemic (10 km each way) and that's the one thing I miss most about working from home now.

[iamjoestafford]

I work at The University of Manchester, and when I first started in early 2016 I realised it would be much easier to cycle there than to drive or get the bus - I only lived about 3km away. I fell in love with bike commuting instantly - you are so right about all of the benefits it brings. When we had to move house, I made sure we chose somewhere close to an off road cycle route - so even though we were now about 11km away, it was a very easy ride (apart from some of the on road sections - Manchester roads are very bad for cycling).

However, in 2019, my partner's career meant we had to move about 65km away from work - so I had no choice but to start driving again. Oh, how I miss riding to work! I hate sitting in traffic, I hate the expense, and I REALLY hate feeling less healthy. I've been working from home for much of the covid crisis, but when it is over, I either want to move back closer to Manchester, or get a new job closer to where we live - I really want to start riding every day again!

Your videos are great, by the way - so informative and interesting. I have only ever cycled in Sweden on one holiday, but I absolutely loved it - it is much safer and more relaxed to ride in than England, which has a similar population density to The Netherlands but almost none of their safe infrastructure for cyclists! I hope to go back one day and see some more of your beautiful country.

Tusen tack!
Joe

[snowberry]

My commute is about 10.5miles. I have only tried it On a weekend because of the massively busy roads. Traffic is ridiculous and the roads congested. Plus big hills!

[Rlaplante]

Great recap and reasons for bike commuting.

[SVaya]

Hey Mike, thanks for the video. I live in a small town...2.5 miles to work. I often take “the long way home”. It’s the best parts of my day!! I have been riding my bike to work for years! Cheers!🚵🏻

[sipapito]

I ride 30 km both ways and I love riding in the dark in the morning then as you said it’s fun time after work!
One suggestion for all of those living far away, put your bike in the car remove the front wheel, then ride half way park on a safe spot take bike out and ride to work!

[kookamunga]

I biked to work for years . Non cyclists always come out with the body odor excuse for reasons not to commute. I never had a body odor problem because I stay away from garlic on workdays and also wear antiperspirants. Another trick is a sponge or cloth bath at work. I would wipe my armpits and crotch areas with damp paper towels and then with dry paper towels at the bathroom at work but only needed to do this on hot days . Sometimes I would take another pair of clean socks if my feet got too sweaty .

[bruin]

Unfortunately, bike commuting for me is infeasible. My one-way trip from home to work is 59 miles/95 km with 1, 700 feet/518 meters of ascending. The alternative is to ride to a train station (1.5 miles/2.4 km), take it as far as it goes, then ride the remaining 38 miles/61.2 km) (1, 300 feet/400 meters of ascending) to work from that final train station. But, I can't see myself riding ~80 miles/129 km every day to/from work. :-/

[martinofficer]

Love to bike to work, unfortunately it's on fast A roads with no cycle paths/lanes. Have been hit by a car, shouted at, sworn at etc etc. On a good day it sets me up for the day, when I experience agro, it destroys my mojo.

[DDeutz]

Hallo Mike, my way to work is 24 km and over 300m upwarts. So i cant´t ride every day. But in the last 15 years i road over 600times to work. And like you said: it´s good for the enverionment, the wallet and for yoursef. Have a good one 🤓👍🙋🏻‍♂️

[Terrierized]

Fitness, De-stress, oxygenated brain.... thanks Mike

[slowp]

I don't work anymore. When I have mentioned that more folks might want to bike to work, here are the reasons to not do it. It's too cold in the winter. It's too hot in the summer. It isn't safe (there are no bike lanes or trails in the area). It takes too long. At the end of the day, I am tired and don't want to bike. I don't want to get sweaty.

I think I may have missed a few other reasons to NOT do it. When I did work, I tried to live where I could ride to work even though my work was physically demanding, and I usually had to go uphill to get home. It did wake me up in the morning. I now try to ride my bike to go shopping and run errands, but in this area, one has to get creative at some places when it comes to parking and locking up the bike. We have a long way to go.