Please anyone reading this don't wear headphones, you've removed one of the most useful senses for knowing where there's a potential problem.<p>I'd love to cycle to work, the only problem is it's a 160 mile round trip, so it's not too sustainable. I've thought about cycling the journey from my house to the train station but then I've got the additional problem of dealing with a bike on a busy train (two trains really), storing it at the office (small elevator) so I keep getting the bus. If I ever work closer to home I think I will, everyone I know that does is in much better shape than me and generally a bit more awake at 9am.
I have been bike commuting for nine years. The biggest things that change since the initial rush of delight?<p>First, as time goes on, you care a lot more about safety. Newbies may write about how they can meditate or listen to music while riding, but experienced riders know they must always stay alert. You shouldn't be meditating, you should be focused on potential dangers.<p>Second, the weight loss? Not as big a deal as time goes on. Don't ask me the medical reason why, maybe it's the same phenomenon as when people who haven't worked out for years start a program and quickly lose 10 pounds of water weight but then find the rest is harder to lose. Commuting usually doesn't involve the intense aerobic activity associated with road racing.<p>The 300 dollar bike you are satisfied with? I didn't stay satisfied after a few months. After trying many options (too many) I took Sheldon Brown's advice and ride a touring bike, with disc brakes, fenders, rack, and panniers.
One thing that I love about my bike commute is that it takes 50 minutes by car, in good traffic...up to 90 minutes if traffic is bad. When I ride by bike, it's always 65 - 70 minutes. I might lose 30 minutes of my day, but the 2.5 hours of total fitness more than makes up for it, not to mention the boredom of sitting in a car idling on the highway...which has obvious environmental impacts.
My ride to work is over an hour each way. Been doing it every day for years here in the northeast U.S. A mostly residential route. Funny thing is if I take the bus, it takes the same amount of time.<p>I started doing this out of a distaste for cars and statistics show that driving is actually much more dangerous then biking.<p>Weather-wise, I far prefer snow to rain. The hardest part is cold feet in the winter - never found a great solution. My advice is, if questionable weather is a deterrent, dont bike those days. But dont let it stop you from biking at least when it is nice out.<p>I do a single ear headphone with audiobooks (note I am not in a city). Gotta have something to listen to or I would be bored to death. Music can drown out important road dangers. Spoken audio has enough space and quiet that emergencies easily get my attention.
I agree with almost everything said here. When I was living in San Francisco, though, my bike commute was only slightly longer than my bus commute (not because I am that fit, only because buses in San Francisco are terrible). SO MUCH less stressful! I did notice one thing, though: I wasn't reading as much or listening to podcasts as much anymore.<p>I live in NYC now and fortunately I'm a very short walk to work. I can't wait to buy a bike and start riding again, though I'll need to figure out how to fit one into my tiny apartment ...
The problem I have with this is I tend to uhh sweat more than a normal person. (Not because I'm out of shape, just because I sweat a lot...) I don't think I would feel comfortable biking to work simply because I would then smell all day and that's not exactly something I want to happen.
You should really wear a helmet 24/7!! Also body armor. Listening to music on a bike is clearly suicide. Please do not take ANY risks. At all, ever.<p>Also, become an entrepreneur. Take the plunge. Live your dream.
Others have mentioned it, but it's worth saying again: please don't wear headphones while biking in a busy city. It only takes the one time when you need swerve around that parked car's open door and but can't quite hear the car that is about to pass you...
I also happen to bike to work and it's indeed a refreshing experience.
For me, the hard part is on the morning where the ride is 10km of climbing only — it starts in somewhat traffic heavy streets and ends in a peaceful quiet forest. The good thing is that the evening ride requires almost no effort, and it's a real pleasure to feel the wind on the hot days.<p>I wouldn't do it if I couldn't take a shower at work, though.<p>(Also, piece of advice : take your breakfast AFTER the ride. Your guts will thank you for not doing it before and you will enjoy the taste of food even more)
Please don't ride with headphones in <i>both ears</i>. You cannot hear other cylists, for one, who may be passing you. In urban environments, this is particulalry problematic. Why? Because their is (1) already very limited space (crosswalks, jawalkers, doors opening, busses, etc); and (2) there is a huge range in speeds of <i>cyclists</i> (lycra-guys, delivery-men, hipsters, commuters). One ear is plenty (look at pro-cyclists).<p>In CA it is also ILLEGAL, apparently.<p>The Law: Riding with Tunes<p>Only five states regulate the use of headphones by cyclists, and generally the limitations are directed at all vehicle operators. Two of those states–Florida and Rhode Island–prohibit any use of headsets. The intent is to ensure that vehicle operators won’t inhibit their ability to hear sirens and vehicle horns.<p>The other three states that regulate the use of headsets–California, Delaware and Maryland–prohibit their use in both ears; in these states, one ear must be left uncovered. Maryland makes an exception to this law for riders on bike paths.<p><a href="http://www.bicyclelaw.com/road-rights/a.cfm/road-rights-listen-up1" rel="nofollow">http://www.bicyclelaw.com/road-rights/a.cfm/road-rights-list...</a>
My work is about 4 miles from where I live and I usually run back home and it takes exactly the same amount of time as public transportation. I would jog to work as well but we don't have showers at work. I might just start experimenting with wet naps/towels, etc soon. I think that running truly is the greatest and safest way of commuting if the distances are reasonable.
I know this is an uncool thing to say, but I hated biking to work in downtown DC. DC has done a great job adding bike lanes, but they aren't everywhere. I found it to be quite the opposite of meditative and I arrived at work sweaty and uncomfortable.
Yes! I used to live in Bernal Heights in San Francisco and commute to SOMA everyday, and this is how my commute options broke down, time and money-wise:<p>Bike to BART, BART to Powell - 30 min, $1.75<p>Bike straight to work - 30 min, free<p>Bus to BART, BART to Powell - 30 minutes, $3.50 (I think?)<p>Bus to work - 45-60 minutes, $1.75<p>Bum a ride to work - 30-45 minutes, free<p>AND biking adds many non-quantifiable benefits, as the OP states. It's the best way to clear your mind, other than maybe a long walk or hike.<p>[edit for formatting]
I am bike commuting to work for more than 6 years now. I do this through the whole year, summer and winter, everyday.<p>Always have a set of water proof clothes in your backpack. My experience is, if it rains it usually starts 10 minutes after you left home.<p>I had chronic pain in my knees probably from sitting before monitors the whole day. After one week of bike commuting to work the pain was gone.
This matches my experiences. I ride most mornings before work since I telecommute, but it's the same idea. The positive effect on my mood surprised me — it only takes a little bit of exercise!<p>As an aside, please be careful wearing headphones when you ride. There are plenty of flame wars over that (and helmets, and brakes) over in /r/bicycling.
I work from coffeeshops and such, which is inheriently flexible. I've started trying to walk or bike as much as humanly possible. It helps to have a terrible car that is frankly embarrassing to drive. I definitely feel better the days I walk a few miles.
Regarding the helmet: they truly are a no-brainer. Even the cheap 30 buck ones the OP talks about must meet the minimum federal guidelines for safety (in the US). No need for a more expensive helmet, which mainly provide less weight (avoid neck strain over long rides) and better ventilation.<p>Helmets save lives and do not have to look dorky. But you do get a bad case of hat hair.
i've been an avid cyclist all my life, you have just hit the beginning of what cycling is such an amazing activity, that an i think endurance sports go hand in hand with the entrepreneurial life. congrats on this!
Post added to our action wiki <a href="https://didthis.com/bikecommute" rel="nofollow">https://didthis.com/bikecommute</a> Thanks for inspiring us to "redo" & spread this lifestyle meme!