I love my bike, I can’t really stress this enough. Every morning, I ride to Starbucks on my green Raleigh Venture, a comfort bike with collapsible side baskets, over the rear tire, that hold one bag of groceries each. Not only is my ride pleasurable, I’m saving in so many ways.
To begin with, I’m saving the environment. With the wind in my face, I coast the short one-mile distance and feel terrific that I’m not wasting gas or polluting the air for that one-mile coffee run. I try, as much as possible, to ride my bike for any short trip or errand; usually under 2-miles is a no-brainer bike ride. I am also conserving fuel, my husband and I only purchase gas about twice a month. Of course, it helps that one of us works full-time from home and the other (me) loves riding my bike!
Me biking through the park. I love my bike!
Another reason to love biking, it reduces the wear and tear on our one, shared vehicle. I love my Honda Element and want it to last a long time. It’s the vehicle that inspired our love of camping! So, the less we drive, the less maintenance is needed on our car. We also save money on required maintenance by keeping our annual mileage under 14,000 miles.
One of the most recent money saving reasons to love my bike: I didn’t have to purchase a parking permit at the state college I’m attending. Although, it helps that I live in Southern California where we seldom have inclement weather, I can ride up to the building where my class is held and not fight over a parking space, or walk a mile to class. That $300 is money that stays in the bank.
Since I get a lot of cardiovascular exercise by riding my bike, I can forgo a gym membership. I’ve never really liked gyms to begin with, so this was more of an added bonus: firm legs and rear that I can be proud of. Last year I rode so much, I even noticed that my arms were firming up, that wobbly chicken wing-thing was beginning to disappear into a well-toned muscle. Not only am I saving money on exercising, I’m saving money in the long run by staying active and healthy.
But what really takes the cake is that biking keeps me sane. Meaning, it reduces any stress I might have that day. Whether I have a million things to do and am stressing because I only accomplished 3, or if I had a rough day teaching small children to read, I can jump on my bike and my thoughts are soon someplace else. Being outside, enjoying nature, biking along at a moderate and comfortable pace keeps my insanity at bay. And that is priceless!
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- The Money Bloggers Network » Money Bloggers Network Roundup #3 - [...] House in the Valley tells us why she loves bicycling Biking for More Bread, discusses the benefits of owning ...
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Little House, you’re an inspiration. I going to put some air in tires and go on a bike ride later.
Thanks Susan,
I hope you ride soon!
-Little House
I’m also in love with my bike. Between car payments, parking in a busy city, gas, and maintenance my bike saves me about $500 a month! It also makes me fit, takes me into interesting places cars can’t go, and gets me rockstar parking.
Only thing that stinks is violently crashing it, horrible drivers, and when it rains, but I feel it’s still worth it.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post over at Financial Samurai, I appreciate it.
@Ryan – Thanks for stopping by! I am in total agreement, horrible drivers make biking a little unsafe. If cities were better planned and had bicycle infrastructures, then biking would be WAY better than driving!
Hi,
I think your blog is great. I am a cyclist also and commute to work at this time 2 days a week. I really enjoy just being on my bike and…for all the same reasons you ention in your post, biking for bread. I enjoy all the categories on your blog. Keep up the great work! I am putting together a blog now but it’s just not ready to go live. Take care, Michael
@Michael – Thanks for the comment. Is your blog specifically about biking? I see that your link mentions Santa Clarita; great bike paths there!
Super post! I just came across your website and am really liking it so far! Good job! (Back to looking around.
)
~M.
@Michael – Thanks! I’ve checked out your blog before too and I love all the bicycle pictures. It’s a very inspiring blog and I love the fact that you both ride so much. I’m curious, though. Do you live in a bike-friendly city? Thanks for stopping by!
Hi LH,
Good luck on your 1000 mile goal, I know you’ll make it!
We live in Roseville, CA which is outside of Sacramento. It’s no Davis or Portland, but we’re making a go of it! Our hope is that the more people that replace car trips with bike trips, the more bike-friendly EVERY city will be!
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Friday Morning Commute- Crystal Clear =-.
On a related note, have you seen the Rowdy Kittens website? They are our dear friends and are planning their tiny house as we speak!
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Friday Morning Commute- Crystal Clear =-.
@Michael – Thanks for the support.
@Michael – I visit her site every now and then. I’ll have to check back to see which tiny home plan their choosing. I know she’s featured quite a few companies, like Tumbleweed Houses and Dee William’s Pod homes.