bike riding vs. driving motor vehicle

red-ninja

red-ninja

A Disturbance in the Force
I was considering something and I'd like a few opinions if that's ok.

I keep having to repair my car. It's become rather inconvenient and frustrating. I don't make a ton of money right now
and i've even had to borrow money to repair it before. I want to become educated about motor vehicles so I can just fix them
myself, but circumstances don't seem to allow it right now. It upsets me that my simple lack of mechanical knowledge has me bringing
my car to a guy who knows how to fix it but also has to charge me lots of money, which could be better spent on other things, imo.

My thinking was that I could start riding a bicycle to my job and to the grocery store and stuff, because i live very close to these places which i have to travel to on a regular basis. I live about 3 miles from my job and about 2 miles from the grocery store, and a similar distance from some other places. I calculated that I could save up a decent amount of money (between 250-300 american dollars a month) if I simply rode a bike and didn't have to pay for gasoline and car insurance. (not to mention the benefits of exercise)

Obviously, when you ride a bike you get to deal with other kinds of things which aren't too much fun, but to do that for just a few months while I save up some money? Seems good for the short term. My thinking was that I could use the money I save to put into the car to make sure it can be in the best mechanical condition possible, a sort of "catching up", if you will. That way, I can be sure that absolutely every part is working correctly, and be much less likely to be inconvenienced by the car in the future, and also if the car is in good mechanical condition, and i can keep money set aside for it then i can fix little problems before they are big problems.

I'm still thinking about all this and i'm trying to get a pro/con list figured out to help me better determine my decision.
 
I say go for it!

Since reading This thread, I cancelled my bus pass and started cycling.
For groceries, you can just put them in a rucksack for a bit of extra resistance training ;)
 
Or you could just walk. I walk year round. The distances you cite are really not too far for you to walk, in my opinion. I walked 3 1/2 miles to one job year round for 2 1/2 years and depending upon how fast you walk, you should be able to get to your destination in well under an hour. It took me about 40 minutes at a brisk pace. Right now, I walk 2.2 miles to my current job and it's around 22 minutes, give or take a minute or two, depending upon how fast I feel like going. Walking is cheaper than cycling or driving a vehicle. All you need is a good pair of shoes ( I wear trailrunners), some layers for winter, a walking stick, and you're off....:-0 It's really good exercise and can be done all year long, unlike riding a bicycle, which can be pretty impossible in certain winter conditions. Walking offers excellent health benefits, too, and you're not killing - or boring - yourself getting the exercise. Walking's also saved me a lot of money over the years in transportation cost, plus it will help you maintain a healthy weight. The hardest part about it is deciding to get up and do it. :-)
 
I'd say get a bike for grocery shopping and anything other destination you might need a faster means of transportation but to get to work, I agree with Lisa. Riding is definitely beneficial and the extra money that having a car consumes...it's just way easier. And your job being 3 miles away and the grocery store being 2 miles away, you should have no problem getting there, even if you walk.

I live about 16-20 miles away from my work so I still have to take the train until I get a bike and then when I do get it, I won't mind leaving earlier, I'll def make the switch...fwiw
 
yeah, you're so close to everything, if you're not feeling like cycling, you can walk it easily. So relaxing and invigorating to walk to and from work as well, maybe more so than cycling due to the lack of stress. Great for your health obviously.
Cars are a complete waste of money and just depreciate so better to save your money for something that appreciates (though in these trying times, that might be tricky so perhaps just something that is more rewarding than feeding the beast known as a car). Do you have an autoshare type organization near you? It's another option as you get to develop and insurance history with them and you just take a car out for errands where you really need one. Very reasonable.
Main thing with cycling for me is trying to stick with safe paths. Having been a car road rep for years, people driving cars are idiots, (as are many cyclists). Drivers aren't looking in their rear view windows wondering if a cyclist is coming up and they can't see you in the rain. You have to watch parked cars don't whip the doors open as a lot of them don't look even if they're parked on a bike path. Trucks can't see you at all, you're like a slim rectangle in the side-view mirror. If a driver hasn't biked before, then they aren't very focused on bikes. So it can be an adrenalin generating ride at rush hour battling with cranky drivers which is why it's great you can walk as well and try and plan the root to not just take the most direct path but rather a relaxing and safer path.
 
red-ninja said:
My thinking was that I could use the money I save to put into the car to make sure it can be in the best mechanical condition possible, a sort of "catching up", if you will. That way, I can be sure that absolutely every part is working correctly, and be much less likely to be inconvenienced by the car in the future, and also if the car is in good mechanical condition, and i can keep money set aside for it then i can fix little problems before they are big problems.

I'm still thinking about all this and i'm trying to get a pro/con list figured out to help me better determine my decision.
Click to expand...

If you decide to use a bike for a few months you might find it so financially and healthily beneficial after that initial trial period, continued cycling will seem obvious. Do the short distances you appear to travel really make it worth while owning a car? Why plough back any financial gains into the car only to be faced with the same problems further down the road? :) For any longer journeys, car hire might be a more convenient and cheaper option.

Speaking as a cyclist for over 30 years and having not used a car for nigh on the same length of time, you will be amazed at the amount of money that can be saved if you go ahead with your plan.

Hopefully without being to presumptuous - a question - do you already own a bike or maybe are intending to buy a new or second hand one? Fwiw, my advice wether you already own one or intend to purchase, is to have certain essential (I think) accessories - to whit - a mirror, bell, rear carrier with pannier(s) and perhaps the most crucial item a seat you're comfortable with. Also a bike with a good range of gears, particularly low ones if any hill riding is involved. (Personally I also keep a stock of spares - brake pads, inner tubes, tyres, rake and gear cables just in case the day arrives when these are perhaps not available to due economic upheaval. Something else to consider maybe?)

You've no doubt pondered over much of this already and the above are just some opinions/observations. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :)
 
Cycling and walking are great exercise. Since you're not mechanically inclined it would be a good idea as well to learn about bike repair. And while you're at it you can read up on simple DIY repairs for your car. There are lots of youtube videos that can show you how to change your oil, spark plugs etc. to cut costs on seeing a mechanic. It you learn enough you may even want to venture into trying some less simple repairs. A car can come in handy when walking or biking aren't feasible and you have to "get outta dodge" for whatever reason.

Edit: You may even ask around for a friendly backyard mechanic or a friend who would be willing to teach you a few things while they fix your car.
 
If others don't rely on your mode of transportation then the only cons of any substance that I can think of is bad weather, lack of cargo space to carry croceries and what not and it is a slower form of transportation/needing to leave extra time to get to work.

I would have to say there are many more pros in doing this
 
Hi red-ninja, your IP address matches another member of this forum who hasn't posted in a while. Do you have a previous account here under another name?
 
Menna said:
If others don't rely on your mode of transportation then the only cons of any substance that I can think of is bad weather, lack of cargo space to carry groceries and what not and it is a slower form of transportation/needing to leave extra time to get to work.

I would have to say there are many more pros in doing this
Click to expand...

Sorry for the noise was only trying to fix spelling I will get use to the changes
 
I only offer my thoughts on this issue of car maintenance here:

I would avoid putting any more money in to a car, than is necessary to keep it running. I understand your thinking, in trying to head the hassle of maintenance off before it actually happens, but however much you pour in to it, you're never going to actually achieve that hassle free nirvana. You also could well end up losing all your investment in the car if, God forbid, you should find yourself in an accident or the timing belt snaps or gearbox goes etc etc. Also, you could very quickly end up pouring more money in to it than the car is worth. And that sum doesn't have to hit anything like parity, before it actually isn't worth doing.

DIY maintenance on modern vehicles is a bit tricky. They're designed to stop people from doing this, and (generally speaking) unless you have the manufacturer specific tools, knowledge, space and equipment to do this (basically set yourself up as a garage), you'll probably get in to more of a mess than if you simply left the car to fall to pieces. Not to mention the fact, equipping yourself to this degree will probably cost more than a new car.

An entire weekend spent doing nothing but trying to carry out a 'simple' job a garage could do in a couple of hours, is usually enough to dishearten all but the most avid mechanical enthusiast. As a hobby, fine, but as maintenance to your main mode of transport... well let's put it this way: when the sun is going down on a Sunday evening and you're still surrounded by bits of engine of the car you're relying on to get to work Monday morning, that can be a very depressing, frustrating and stressful place to be indeed.. Unless you have a genuine interest, you'll probably detest every second of it
 
red-ninja said:
I want to become educated about motor vehicles so I can just fix them
myself, but circumstances don't seem to allow it right now. It upsets me that my simple lack of mechanical knowledge has me bringing
my car to a guy who knows how to fix it but also has to charge me lots of money, which could be better spent on other things, imo.
Click to expand...

I would start by looking for a vehicle specific forum, chances are someone else has already had and fixed the same vehicle issues that you have. It's not uncommon to find an instructional writeup with pics and/or a video detailing the repair. Research it then decide if it is within your mechanical ability to do the job....

Speaking from experience, I have saved thousands on repairs by doing it myself.
 
_http://www.inewidea.com/2013/01/13/51765.html

A trolley attached to a bicycle for carrying groceries or other heavy stuff.

Ytain
 
Buying a bike is the best money I've ever spent. No more worries about parking or speeding tickets. No fuel, insurance, or registration to pay.
Usually I can park a mere 3 meters or less from where I want to go.
I use it for all of my in-town destinations, except during the winter (they can be brutal in Southern Saskatchewn). Then I walk or use public transportation.
I bought my bike, a Schwinn 21 speed commuter mountain bike with fenders and radial tires, for $200 on sale (reg price $370) two years ago. All of the extras-replacing the brake pads, locking cable, lcd headlight and taillight, helmet, pump, probably work out to an additional $110.
I've loved every minute of it. During the long days of summer, I'm usually out of my apartment by 5AM and going somewhere for coffee, or just to ride for the sheer joy of it. But regardless, so long as the roads are relatively ice or snow free, I'll ride in rain or sub-zero temperatures.
For too many years I've wasted countless dollars on running, maintaining, and insuring a car. About ten years ago I had an epiphany and realized that owning a vehicle, especially in the small city where I live, was a total waste of money.
So unless a vehicle is an absolute necessity for one's job, I would definitely recommend a bicycle.
I can't say enough good things about owning a bike.
 
Anybody ever hear about the infinite gear transmission I think...davinci designed? I'd swear somebody actually made one. Anyways, no one is truly mechanicly inclined! Patience is the key. You can spend an hour loosening one bolt, and then you figure out you didn't need to remove it! That's where everybody quits. I don't recommend anyone buying a vehicle that's newer than 1999. You could even put a little 2 stroke motor on your bike rather easily if you wanted to.
 
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