A really good secret is one that hides in plain sight.
Now think about this for a moment. You are driving around town, running errands, shopping, visiting a friend, and going to and from work. You are rushing from here to there and you see one. One of those people, you know, the ones who slow traffic down. Slow you down. You are irritated, your blood pressure shoots up, and you grip the steering wheel tighter. Finally you are able to maneuver around them and speed along your way. Your very expensive (in terms of gas costs) and sedentary way.
Oh those spandex clad, two wheeled terrors of the road. Or are they?
What if those people who are riding bicycles are on to something?
Actually they are, on to something that is.
I have recently taken up commuting to work on a recumbent trike. Not as sleek and elegant looking as one of the top of the line bicycles but it is a very comfortable, get the job done, kind of bike.
So how does this save money?
Well the first and most obvious is gasoline. You will no longer be paying your hard earned cash to big oil companies. Companies which are frequently making headline news for polluting our environment. Here is just one example examiner.com big-oil-asking-to-violate-local-air-polllution-regulations-again-this-week
The next cost savings is upkeep and maintenance of your vehicle. The automotive insurance agency AAA (triple A) does a cost analysis of owning a car, they update this once a year. Here is this years brochure in PDF YourDrivingCosts2013.pdf and here is one of their articles, cost of owning and operating vehicle 2013.
Owning and operating a car is becoming more and more costly. Does it really make sense to pay so much money to pollute the earth?
I personally live just over 18 miles, one way, from my place of employment. I make it work.
Here is what I have discovered. I have lost weight, I no longer have to pay weekly for gas, I garaged my car and cancelled insurance. My total cost savings per month comes to $275.00 dollars. That is just for the obvious stuff. The hidden savings are $0.00 spent per month on a gym membership, savings equal to $20.00 and up (depending on the gym and add on features). I have found that some ailments that I had been going to the doctor for have disappeared. So fewer visits equal money saved on co-pays and prescriptions.
For me, I am looking at around $350.00 to $425.00 a month in cost savings. It's like an extra weekly paycheck.
I noticed that I have more time to browse my neighborhood, slowing down and stopping to smell the roses, relatively speaking.
Your personal situation is different from mine. So you will have to look at this realistically.
The first thing you need to consider is how far you have to commute. Maybe, for you, instead of using a bicycle to commute to work you can use it to run errands, shop, visit a friend, and etc.
Does your family own more than one car? Sit down as a family and list all the ways you use your vehicles. Now come up with some alternative solutions. Reduce your car obligation to one.
Look at alternative types of bicycles. They have all kinds, such as bicycles equipped with an electric assist to help you power up steep hills.
Cancel your gym membership. Start riding your bike and reap the health and cost saving rewards.
My personal favorite is the Terra Trike. You can see one here. Terra Trike.
Become familiar with your states laws on bicycle rules. Most states consider bicycles as vehicles, thus giving cyclists all the rights and usage of the roads. Excepting of course where it is posted as forbidden such as interstates.
Some people are investing in a product called a Velomobile. A little out of my price range thus far but it is a perfect choice for enclosed comfort and they look really amazing. You can see one here. Velomobile.
So work on weaning yourself from the Big Oil teat and you will not only free yourself and your finances, you will also get fit and healthy.
Side note:
I track my ride through an app called Mapmyride. According to the data I am burning through 2,200 to 2,500 calories a day. I moderate this with increased nutrition and hydration. By keeping up a steady commute/exercise regime I will be at my goal weight in two months. That is something no gym or fad diet can ever deliver. The terratrike can support up to 400lbs. So before considering expensive and dangerous bypass surgery, get a bike or trike first and give it a try.
