5 Reasons You should Start Bike Commuting (Bike Vs. Car)

If you are reading this you may still be a skeptic and don’t really want to switch your four-wheeled friend with a bike or maybe you are just considering buying a bicycle but you are still kinda unsure. Well, you are in the right place, as we are going to give you five of the most important reasons to start biking today!

Bike commuting helps society in many ways. Denmark takes the lead in bike commuting, even so that, in 2016, Copenhagen announced that there were more bikes than cars on the streets! [Bicycles outnumber cars for first time in Copenhagen, 2016]

For some of us that is a hard thing to imagine. But we are here to tell you WHY.

1. It's Cheaper

According to a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of owning and operating a vehicle in 2021 is around $9,666. This includes costs for buying a car and for maintenance. Not to mention the hidden cost that is constantly lurking, such as car insurance, general maintenance, repairs, gas, etc...

Of course, this all depends on the actual size, brand, and other factors.

2. Health Comes First

This one is a bit obvious, but doubtedly one of the most critical factors. 

To get down to the basics, any kind of exercise changes the chemicals in your brain. Physical activity triggers a release of domain and serotonin production, which increases your good mood, and daily amount of vitamin D [Apa.org, 2021]. Other than that exercise plays a crucial role in mental health, appetite, and sleep regulation. Positive impact on your long and short-term memory, meaning it improves your cognitive functions. 

In essence biking is a good way of getting your daily exercise which will essentially make you happier. 
 

3. Commuting is easier

Traffic jams, accidents, road repairs, etc. are some of the things you are dealing with when having a car. These things are also often unpredictable and inconvenient, especially when you need to be somewhere NOW. 

Not to mention the endless search for a good parking spot. Riding a bike eliminates those obstacles. Sure you can have an innocence like a flat tire but this is easily fixable on the go, as well as all the major repairs on a bike are well detected before you actually need to go somewhere. 

4. Reduces Pollution

Did you know that every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2? [US EPA, 2018]

Transport accounts for around 30% of global carbon emissions, and 72% of these emissions come from road transportation – from cars, vans, lorries, buses, and other road vehicles. [LeaseCar, 2020]

Bike commuting thus helps society with combating carbon global emissions, a problem that our society today is facing with large concerns. Not only that but in general commuting with a bike will have less tear on the public roads, meaning less traffic and noise throughout the neighborhoods. 

5. Fun

Finally, you can easily go on a small adventure, and explore new allies and ways. Find a new shortcut or just drive across a park, Why not?

Biking presents you an opportunity in finding new routes, instead of being bound to your typical car roads. You get more engaged in your surroundings, it makes you actually look at what is happening around you and experience it.