Why I Ride a Bike Instead of Drive a Car

I'm pushing 40 and have never owned a car. For meplace to park. Every street is littered with options to
the bike has always been my main mode oflock up your bike.
transportation. I didn't start out to be an bicycleWhen you ride instead of drive you get to know you
evangelist but just kind of grew into the role. I see thetown a lot better. Exploring back streets and bike only
bike as a tool to change the world. It doesn't pollute, itroutes lets you learn the inner character of a place
reduces traffic congestion, it's cheap and it's good foryou never get to know in a car. And on a bike you
you.see so much more. I've found little mom and pop
As a kid riding my bike was freedom and I guess it stillrestaurants on my trips that I didn't even know existed.
is. On a bike I'm not constrained by long line ups ofWhen you stick to the main drags there is so much
traffic. No matter how busy the roads are I've neveryou will never know about.
experience stop and go in the bike lane. On a bike youIf you are a two car family you can save around
can take short cuts through the park or a trail that isn't$5000 per year by ditching one car. The cost of the
open to cars. When I talk to people about commutingcar, gas, insurance and maintenance really adds up.
by bike they say the car is faster. Depending onWith a bike you have to lube your chain and get a
where you are riding, this may be true but time in a cartune every now and again but the costs are so much
is not productive. If you are riding in a city core you willlower that one year of commuting will pay for a nice
often be faster on a bike plus you don't have to find avacation.