There are many good reasons you should bike to work, and if possible, I think you should do it.
I have no problem with cars, as life will be really complicated without one, especially in this modern world we live in.
So, they are actually really awesome.
However, I do love what a good old bike can do, especially with all the benefits that come with it.
Some of you might be on the fence about biking to work, as there can be a lot of things holding you back, but I think you will see things differently after reading this post.
Whether you are in the market for your first bike or if you have one sitting in your garage just waiting to be ridden, I want to show you some of the benefits that biking to work has and why I believe you should at least ride to work once in a while.
So whether you think you know it all or not, this simple list will make you think twice about what a simple bike can do.
Table of Contents
1. It’s Fun!
Remember that time you used to ride your bike when you were a kid?
Not everyone can say the same as things have changed, but those of you who grew up in the 90s know what I mean.
That feeling is a lot different than what we have now, but they are both equally as fun.
I might have confused you there, but let me explain.
Sure, biking was fun as a kid, but the modern bike is at a whole different level of fun and one that is almost hard to explain unless you actually try it for yourself.
From a single-speed bike to even ten speeds, things have improved for the better.
Less weight, better brakes, and shocks are just a few things that come to mind with a modern bike, but the overall experience is beyond amazing.
I own a Cannondale SL3 (which is about ten years old), and even up until today, I am not bored with what it allows me to do.
If you have never tried a real bike, you might want to give one a try, as I’m sure you will be impressed.
2. Biking Builds Energy
Getting outdoors has its benefits, but sometimes you need something more.
As a blogger, energy is something I NEED but is hard to acquire with such a lifestyle.
I go on occasional runs and do some exercise to build it, but that can only do so much with the busy lifestyle I live.
So how do I do it?
I take my bike and ride to different coffee shops, all while building energy without even noticing it.
We all need that energy to get us through the day, and just like any form of exercise, biking will do just that.
3. Biking Gets Your Blood Flowing
There are several health benefits of biking, and getting your blood flowing is one of them.
We are just like cars.
Have us be stagnant for a very long time, and our bodies will feel it.
Sitting at a desk for long periods of time requires me to do more exercise than I want to, and biking is a great way to do just that.
With my legs constantly moving and my brain having to be aware of my surroundings, you can bet that my blood is flowing.
This very much goes hand in hand with energy, and all this can be done through a simple bike ride to work.
4. Clears Your Mind
Things have become very mundane for me, and I find myself being lost throughout the day.
For some reason, it’s like all the running and exercise can only do so much, and my mind is something it can’t clear.
Getting on a bike and exploring the little town I live in is very powerful, and who would’ve thunk that a bike would do it?
Get on your bike, don’t think about it being exercise, and just do some exploring on your way to work.
You will see the world differently, and that is one of the best reasons you should bike to work.
Check that out, and you will see some of the little sites that put my mind at ease.
5. Savings Galore
There are way too many things you save on just from riding your bike to work, with gas being the most obvious.
Gas is beyond expensive, and believe it or not, there are a lot of people that pretty much work to buy gas, which is pretty insane if you ask me.
This gas takes them to and from work, and they do that all month without even noticing the amount of money they are spending.
Then comes the car repairs that we all know aren’t cheap, so you can bet that they are not winning and actually losing.
On top of savings on fuel, you are saving the planet.
Not to say that you can save the world alone, but at least you are doing your part.
Exhaust from cars is really bad, and although we will never stop driving, taking your bike to work every now and then will help a whole lot more than you think.
6. Gives Your Car a Break
So many people focus on the amount of money they save by riding a bike, but most won’t see the other benefits it has for their car.
Just like anything else that we use, wear and tear will happen, and more spending will eventually happen.
Now when you take that bike to work, your vehicle will catch a break, which will result in a lot less maintenance.
Let’s see…
New tires for your car for $300 or new tires for your bike for $40?
Maintenance is also a lot less with a bike which I’m sure is obvious.
Riding to work will save you money and, most especially, add some months back to your car’s life.
7. Stress Relief
Life is stressful, and dealing with traffic is a big contributor to stress.
Imagine doing that daily (which is what most of you probably do) and how much stress you have accumulated over the years.
Life is going to blow by you, and you will age faster than you know it.
Hop on a bike, and you will feel the power.
Two wheels and no engine, but the experience is beyond great.
Relax, get on your bike, and let the good times roll.
I have never said that before, by the way, but there’s always a first for everything.
8. Tax Breaks
If saving on gas is not enough, how about getting paid to bike to work?
By riding at least 3x a week, you will get $20 from the government just for doing so.
This is also tax-free, so that’s always good too.
I know it is not much, but who do you know that gets paid to go to work?
Well, now you do, and isn’t it great that it’s you?
So first, you save on gas, and then you get paid for it, which is another win/win that comes with biking.
9. Being Free
Sitting in traffic is really stressful, and sometimes we just can’t help but let it get to us.
As a biker, you can “cut” in line and pretty much do whatever you want.
Ride on the road when you need to and hop off on a crosswalk, and pedal your way through with other pedestrians.
Get back on the road and finish the ride, and just like that, you are at work.
The beauty about bikers that “bend the rules” is that drivers don’t see it as a bad thing and probably encourage such activity just to speed up the drive.
Have a motorcycle do what you just did, and some motorists will get pissed.
Weird, but that’s just how it is.
10. Influence Others
Most cities and small towns don’t promote biking, which is really sad.
By being one of the few, you will very much influence others who never thought about doing it.
Along with the power to influence others, you will raise bike awareness.
When motorists rarely see cyclists, it will cause them to be less cautious, and this is very dangerous for bikers.
Once they see more and more bikers hitting the streets, it will become second nature to be observant of the bike lane and be a lot more cautious when passing through crosswalks.
Once again, we have another win/win situation on our hands.
Conclusion – There are Many Reasons You Should Bike to Work
At the very least, try riding to work for a little while.
I say that only because your first ride might not be as pleasant as you’d want it to be, and I don’t want that to deter you from experiencing the awesomeness that comes once you get used to it.
Maybe try and ride around a bit before you ride to work, especially if your commute is not the closest.
Always remember the necessary items before embarking on your first ride, be safe, and most especially, have fun.
No one ever said you have to bike to work every single day, so mix things up and always keep it interesting.
Will you be the next bike commuter in the office?
I sure do hope so.
