You bike commute to worrk? YES.
Even in the in the winter? YES.
In the snow? YES. (Its snows in NH in the Winter!)
In the cold? YES. (Winter in NH is usually cold).
(Photo op on todays commute)
Yes. Yes I do.
Heres the top reasons why I will contine to bike commute – and be viewed as weird by those in cars.
1 –RED LIGHTS.
Sitting a redlights while you can SEE your destination but can’t get there? Frustration! With a bike, you can walk the crosswalk, or blow up a sidewalk.
2- PARKING!
Bike commute = Easy and free parking! (pull to the office , lock the bike to a rack or bring it in with you). DONE.
No more paying meters with a limited time, circling the block to find that perfect spot -or any spot.
Not paying $80-150 a month for a rented “space“.
3- TRAFFIC!
(Soul sucking traffic)
While the cars sit, Bikes don’t.
Riding right by cars in a line of traffic is a sadistic adventure in “told ya so”.
Even while sitting in traffic, you can see – breathe better on a bike.
You feel less confined. (BTW that equals more free).
4– EXCERSIZE.
Speaks for itself.
I will add ….the mental health benefits of “movement” are under rated.
“Sitting” in a car?
No thanks!
5 -SAVINGS.
(as in money)
Gas, tires, insurance, accidents, tolls, oil, car washes, worry of theft, damage – you name it – all reduced greatly or elimanted completely.
6- SAVINGS.
(as in time).
Most city bike commutes report the same or less time spent on the commute!
My commute is only one mile. It takes 7 minutes by bike.
By Car it takes 7 minutes.
The bike 7 minutes does not include the car additional time sucks such as traffic, accident delays, warm up, ice scraping or snow clearing time.
(the former is the authors least missed activity!
7 -SIMPLICITY.
Its simple to ride and maintain a bike.
Its also simple to pack the bike bag with lunch, mount and ride.
8- COMMON SENSE.
Owning, maintaining and driving an all wheel drive, $40,000 plus , 3900 lb car or SUV and commuting under two miles a day is t simply not logical,.”efficent” or even a enjoyable!
(More thoughts on this here)
In Summary:
Driving a car through the downtown Concord NH (or really, any city) seems silly – if you have a short commute.
Welcome to the R3volution.
(You are NOT Alone!)