Bike History
We commute by bike for many reasons. One possible reason being if you are the type of person to receive one too many DUI’s and it is no longer possible for you to drive, commuting by bike is the answer to your problems, but there are also many other beneficial reasons for the use of a bike. One of the most appealing reasons why people choose to ride a bike is because of how inexpensive it is. With a bike you don’t have to pay for things like vehicle inspection or registration. There are no insurance payments and don’t require increasingly expensive gasoline to run. The bicycle itself, depending on which one you get, may seem a little costly; however it still costs much less than a car and if you ride a good amount it will pay for itself in less than a year.
One of the Most Appealing Reasons why People Choose to Ride a Bike is Because of how Inexpensive it is
So you’re saving money, that’s a good thing right? But there is another positive factor about commuting by bike, which is physical fitness. Sometimes people will try and squeeze in a workout at the gym on their way to or from work but this can become quite inconvenient and once again it will be more money out of your pocket for the membership. It’s no secret that riding a bike requires a physical effort, and commuting by bike means that you can get your daily exercise by just getting where you want to go… for free.
Commuting by Bike Means that You can get Your Daily Exercise
It goes without saying that riding a bicycle when compared to driving a motor vehicle is much better for the environment. Bicycles are extremely efficient transportation. From a relatively small amount of power a bike can travel at somewhat high speeds for extended periods of time. The engine of a bicycle requires nothing except food and water. Manufacturing a bicycle is less complicated, requires less energy and fewer resources. Also because of the simplicity, a bike will have a much longer life compared to most other forms of transportation.
Better for the Environment
So there you have it, riding a bike saves you money, makes you healthier and makes trees grow taller, (actually cars help with that too because trees love munching on the CO2 that comes out the back of them). Basically bikes are pretty cool, that being said not everyone rides them, and even fewer use them as their daily transportation. In big cities like New York driving or owning a car makes little sense because of the limited area, traffic congestion, and the convenience of public transport. But in other areas of the United States the situation can be much different. With the arrival of the Ford Model T in 1908, Middle class Americans could finally afford a car of their own. Owning a car made commuting to work possible and so people started to live further and further away from the city centres. Suburbs formed and everyone lived outside the city and then drove to work, they drove to school and drove to the grocery store. Things became very far apart and still are today. So riding a bike becomes more of a challenge for beginners who are not yet ready to tackle the long commute to and from their workplace. There are a growing number of cities that are trying to incorporate the bicycle in to their public transport system. With such idea’s as bike racks on the front of buses so you can take your bike with you whilst commuting to different areas and then ride the rest of the way to your destination. Some light rail systems are also now allowing you to bring your bike on the train with the same idea of an easy commute for individuals of the public.
Some people have made the choice to live ‘car free’ which becomes more of a lifestyle choice rather than a vehicle choice. But because of the huge influence the car has contributed to the American culture, everyday things like getting groceries, meeting up with friends or taking your children to school has become quite difficult especially now with the growing distance between suburbs, towns and areas. In most suburbs the nearest place to buy groceries is a mile away.
