Thinking about Commuting to Work by Bike?

If you are thinking about commuting to work by bike then there have never been more choices available. It is healthy, low cost and you might even gain a tax benefit. Hardened cyclists may be happy to commute every day…rain or shine, but you can also choose to be a “fair weather cyclist”. Whatever your choice its a no brainer…get on your bike!

Advantages of Commuting to Work by Bike:

You probably want to choose a bike a bit more modern than this one if you want to get the full benefits out of commuting to work by bike!

Less than 1% of Americans choose a bike as their primary method of transport to get to work…but there are some really huge advantages of commuting to work by bike that will more than outweigh the occasional soaking on a wet Monday morning…

• Fitness: An average person will burn around 50 calories a mile when cycling…the actual number depending on your weight and the speed you go at. So a modest 5 mile each way commute will burn 500 calories a day and should result in a weight loss of nearly a pound a week, as long as you don’t scoff loads of biscuits as soon as you arrive in the office!
• Cost: The IRS estimate that using a car costs on average $0.51 a mile. Doesn’t sound much does it? Well that adds up to over $1224 a year for that same calorie burning 5 mile each way trip! Instant payback if you buy a bike and you will still make a good profit if you use the car when the weather is really bad.
• Tax: Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Service Code allows your employer to give you tax relief of $20 a month if you use a bike as your main means of getting to work and have no other transport related benefit…Sounds good, talk to your HR department to get the details. Many other countries give similar concessions!
• Fewer Mistakes: Studies show that if you are physically fit then you can make up to 27% fewer task errors at work that can result in an increase in efficiency of up to a 14%

Essential Equipment for Commuting to Work by Bike:

If you are commuting to work by bike then make sure you have a safe place to park…and a secure padlock!

Although commuting to work by bike is really a practical and low cost solution it really is a false economy to scrimp and cut corners. Make sure that you invest in the right gear so that you keep safe and dry!

• A Helmet: They don’t look cool but they can save your life and also protect you from sunburn in the summer. Just get one, a helmet is 100% essential!
• A Decent Bike: Don’t even think about renovating that old relic from your high school days that is still hung up somewhere in the garage. Modern bikes are lighter, better designed and have comfy saddles and brakes that work.
• Lights a Bell and Reflective Clothing: Ok, you don’t have to go around like the “Yellow Peril” but you need other road users to see you so it makes sense to get some rechargeable lights and a reflective vest. In some areas a bell can be a legal requirement as well…
• A Rucksack: Find a lightweight waterproof rucksack to carry you work clothes and your packed lunch!
• A Waterproof Cape: A cape looks horrible but will keep you dry in a shower and is specially designed to allow you to pedal normally. If you try to cycle in plastic trousers etc it will slow you down as well as feeling really uncomfortable
• Gloves: Essential for the winter but useful at any time of the year. Of course they will help protect you if you are unlucky enough to have a minor tumble…but the main advantage is that they will also help to reduce the road vibration effect on your hands which some people find very tiring
• Padlock: Bikes are becoming ever more popular, and so of course they can attract the attention of a passing thief. Make sure that you always padlock your bike securely even if you only pop into the shops for a minute to pick up the latest copy of Cycling Weekly!

Choice of Bikes:

Once you have decided that you want to start commuting to work by bike then you need to choose the right kind of bike that is suited to both your level of fitness, your motivation, the length of the journey and of course your budget…

Electric Bike

Electric Bike:

Electric bikes have really come down in price now and so are pretty affordable. They have the advantage that you really don’t need to be very fit to use one since most of the work is done by the electric motor. They also go pretty fast so will bet you from A to B faster than a regular bike unless you are very fit. They still have a fairly limited range or around 15 to 20 miles for most affordable models, and are very tiring to ride if the battery runs out! Commuting to work by bike couldn’t be easier if you choose and electric model….the payback will be longer but you don’t need to worry about your initial lack of fitness…

Currie Technologies eZip Men’s Trailz Electric Bicycle

Price: $449.00

(71 customer reviews)

5 used & new available from $449.00

Folding Bike

 Folding Bike:

A folding bike is a great choice if you intend to use your car a bus or a train for part of your journey. Sometimes it makes great sense to split your journey to work using various forms of transport. Having folding bike means that you can be really flexible. The downside of a folding bike is that they usually have small wheels and a limited gears. This means that they are really only suitable for short journeys of two or three miles. However, if you are taking advantage of a park and ride scheme for example they can still be a good choice for the final leg of your journey…or simply for running errands!

Schwinn Loop 7-Speed Folding Bike

Price: $229.97

(75 customer reviews)

7 used & new available from $200.67

Urban Bike

Urban Bike:

An urban bike will usually have decent brakes, fat tires and straight handlebars. This makes them very easy to ride, stable and manoverable in traffic. For the more sporty rider single fixed gear versions are becoming increasingly popular while standard multi-gear versions are also available. Good for urban journeys of up to 5 miles.

Critical Cycles Fixed Gear Single Speed Fixie Urban Road Bike

Price: —

(137 customer reviews)

0 used & new available from

Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike:

The big advantage of a mountain bike is that it will be fitted with suspension so the ride is smoother. How much suspension depends on the price! Standard models will have saddle and front fork suspension while for a bit more you can also get frame suspension. The gears on a mountain bike are chosen for steep terrain so these bikes are easy to peddle even up steep hills. The downside is that the weight, wide tires and gearing ratios mean that you will go slower use up more energy per mile. Good for cycling around town, on dirt tracks and in the country…easy for a 5 to 10 mile commute! For most people a mountain bike is often the best choice when you start commuting to work by bike.

Diamondback 2013 Overdrive V 29′er Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels

Price: —

(84 customer reviews)

0 used & new available from

Racing Bike

Racing Bike:

A typical racing bike will only weigh 10kg, will have 27 gears and a saddle like a razor blade! This kind of bike is built for speed and long distance riding but the drop handlebars can feel uncomfortable for some people and all those gears are complicated! However, if you are fit and want to get to and from work as quickly as possible,or you have a longer commute of over 10 miles, then this is the best choice for you!

Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano

Price: —

(57 customer reviews)

0 used & new available from

So take a Frugal Tip from the MeanyGoat and start commuting to work by bike and you will end up leaner fitter, more efficient…and have more cash in your pocket!