Cycling: Save Time and money (Cycling in General)

Member Name: keeperofthematri

Product:	Cycling in General
Date:	23/06/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Save times & money

Disadvantages: Exposed to the madness that is the British Weather!

How many of you drive or take the bus to work? How many of you complain about being stuck in traffic during "rush hour"?

Have you considered cycling as a cheaper & quicker alternative?

I live around 3 - 4 miles away from where I work &, as I don't drive, have the options of either walking, cycling or taking the bus into work.

The bus fare costs £2.10 for a day return of £8.00 for a week. So, if I take my alloted holidays as well as some flexi-time let's say that I work the equivalent of a 45 week year. £8.00 x 45 weeks means a cost to me of £360 per year. On top of that there's the time you spend waiting around for buses to turn up as well as the travel time for my journey which, would, in general, take in excess of 30 minutes.

In contrast, the cycling costs are minimal. You may need a new tyre, inner tube, puncture repair outfit or some lubricating oil from time to time but this is small change compared to the costs of travelling by bus.

Cycling to & from work gives you the freedom to leave as & when you want ~ no waiting around for the next bicycle to turn up! My journey to work takes anything from 15 - 25 minutes depending on:-

+ how many traffic lights I get stopped at
+ whether I get stopped at the railway crossing
+ which way the wind is blowing!

So, even if the cycle journey takes the maximum amount of time I'd save 10 minutes on the minimum amount of time that the bus journey takes. In weekly terms that's a minimum of 50 minutes & over a working year of 45 weeks it's over 37 hours saved on travelling time. Of course, this figure is even higher if you add in the amount of time taking walking from home to the bus stop, from the bus stop to work and vice versa. Then there's the bus waiting time as well.


So, here are my cycling tips.

+ Wear a cycling helmet at all times

+ Ensure tyres are fully pumped up, brakes work & that the chain is well oiled.

+ Don't use mobile phones or ipods

+ Wear bright clothing & ensure bike lights are switched on in darkness or fog.

+ use cycle clips if wearing trousers.

+ wear trainers or flat shoes (no stilettoes for you ladies!)


There's a bit more about cycling in my "What's In Your Bag?" review.

Summary: Get fit, save time & money.