Cycle Commuters Aren’t Born – They’re Made
Saturday, July 26th, 2008
Posted by Chris Gravel
For most of us learning to ride a bike was right of passage as a kid. Magically one day you can balance on two wheels. Immediately you are overwhelmed with a sense of freedom that you can go faster and further than ever before. For me this magic never really went away except for a short period when I started to drive a car; for most people that’s about where their love affair with cycling ends. I suppose mine could have as well if it were not for moving out of town to go to university. Because of this, I no longer had regular access to a car. I soon realized that I could get around town and campus much faster and easier by bike anyways. I immediately dipped into my savings and bought a decent bike. When I did borrow a car, I was late for class more – looking for parking, received parking tickets, and had less spending money as gas was using up a good chunk of it.
It wasn’t long before I was working full time and had a 30km commute to work each way. I, like most people hopped in my car and drove 2hrs a day back and forth to work. For the first three months before I moved closer to work I was just about losing my mind by the time I got out of my car, so frustrated with traffic, the stress of driving and the feeling of being trapped in this metal box. What did I do to unwind after the stress of the commute – grab my bike and hit the trails. I would pedal uphill for 40 minutes and then skip and surf downhill, riding an adrenaline wave. I would return home relaxed, positive, and able to deal with another day at work and the commute.
Once I moved closer to work it wasn’t too long before I started riding my bike on nice days for fun and exercise. 1 or 2 days a week turned into 3-4 and sometimes 5. I was getting in better shape, happier, and more productive at work and saving $30 a week or more in gas. Once my son was born I knew my wife would need the car more than I did and frankly for anyone with a family, leaving a car sitting in a parking lot for 8 -10hrs and paying for parking is such a waste. I was now a full time cycle commuter and didn’t even give buying a second car more than a second thought.
It’s been about seven years of cycle commuting for me now and I have not regretted it. My in-laws and friends kept trying to get me to buy a second car or tell me how I was risking my life. I have been called crazy, a bike nut, obsessed. There has also been a lot of really positive comments but admittedly until this recent gas price hike it has been a bit of an uphill battle and this is in what most Canadians would say is our most bike friendly big city.
So what can I offer besides this story of cycling persistence? Well perhaps a few key tips on how to make this transition easier and some observations about modern life that we take for granted.
Learning to Drive
Remember how intimidated you were! It’s scary as hell until you get used to it. The dangers are still real, but you have gained experience making it safer, becoming numb to the risks involved and driving is socially acceptable. By this logic cycling is no different except that it is not as socially acceptable. It will take you some time to get used to it and in most cases the risks are lower and your health improves from increased fitness. It doesn’t matter what you drive, it doesn’t do anything positive for your health. So if your scared, take a bike handling and safety course. Start easy on paths and the seawall and build that confidence.
Route planning makes all the difference
I cringe every time I see some one riding down Oak street at rush hour on a bike when their is a bike route 2 blocks away. Find a route that works for you that lowers your risk, reduces stress and traffic. Bike route maps are readily available at bike shops and online. Ask other cyclists or bike shop staff to help you plan your route. There is even a new online tool to help you do this! You can even search for the greenest routes with the least traffic.
Get the equipment you need to be comfortable and safe
Clothing – In Vancouver it’s rain gear. Get yourself waterproof breathable pants, a jacket, and shoe covers. If you get to arrive to work with dry feet and clothes, you wont begrudge the ride in or better yet the ride home.
Bike set up – fenders, gears, and decent brakes. An upright heads-up position is best for comfort and visibility or if you are wearing a pack. If you carry a load every day, get a pannier it will carry what you need and keep it dry without putting stress on you back.
Bike choice – There are more choices now than ever making it easy to get exactly what your looking for. It’s more personalized than car shopping these days and they all get amazing mileage. If you are going far or uphill, speed and bike weight will matter more. If you are abandoning you car or want versatility to lock it up; get a good lock, buy something conservative, and insure it.
Going Green? Biking is more green than any hybrid car choice
Switching from driving a car to riding a bike is, by most accounts, the single most significant eco friendly decision you can make. Feel good about riding a bike, you are helping save the planet and yourself from climate change and harmful emissions. This year alone, I will have reduced my CO2 emissions by 1600 KG. That is the weight of your car or a million liters of CO2!
Do it for the Money
Who cant use more money? Every one of us has some level stress related to money and not having it to do the things they want. We spend countless hours thinking of how to make more, where to invest, and best places to shop. Look at those numbers or run your own. You will be shocked at what your car costs you.
Some conservative yearly estimates
Car               Bike
Annual payments  $3600          $300
Insurance              $1800          $75
Gas                       $3000          $N/A
Maintenance         $400            $100
Clothing              $N/A            $125
Gym                   $300           $N/A
Sub total             $9,100         $600
$8,500 more per year in your pocket to spend on whatever you want. Even if you had to rent a car a few weeks a year you would still have thousand left over.
Common misconceptions?
My commute is to long
If your commute is greater than you can ride a bike – work up to it or move. Most Canadians have made poor choices on where they live at the expense of owning a home. Few of us realize that that commuting time, energy wasted, expense, and emissions are reducing their quality of life more than the gain of having that bigger place in the burbs.
You have to be young and fit
Not true. Cycling may help keep you young and fit, but you can start cycling at just about any age. I see lots of 50 and 60+ yr old cyclists and cycle commuters.
Is Cycling the answer NO, but it does beg some good questions about the common lifestyle choices that we make and it is a great way to see the world around us, reduce carbon emissions, and save money. You might just find yourself smiling as you pedal and engage in conversation with other riders or simply saying hello. When was the last time you did something like that driving a car?
July 31st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Chris, great read! Informative and engaging! The cost break down is great! I live 1 block away from work so my commute is mostly on foot, however I ride everyday for fun.