It's no secret that for most people, the daily commute is a frustrating part of life. Paying for gas, paying for car maintenance, sitting in traffic, and more can all add up and take a toll on you. However, sitting in your car stuck on the highway isn't the only option for a commute. This spring, you might want to consider switching from driving to biking when you have somewhere you need to go.
Going Green
Bikes are by far the more environmentally-friendly way to commute compared to cars. Not only do bikes not rely on fossil fuels to run, but they're more environmentally-friendly to produce, too. Energy and resources that are used for the creation of one single car can be used for the creation of up to 100 bicycles. Additionally, the benefits of biking are greater with each person that switches to bikes for their commute. One of the reasons cars are so destructive to the environment is because they get stuck in traffic, reducing fuel efficiency. With fewer cars on the road due to people switching to a cycling commute, there are fewer total carbon emissions from people idling on the highway.
Saving Green
Not only can bikes help save the environment; they can help save your wallet too. Cars are expensive to own and drive, meaning that a lot of people simply don't take care of regular car maintenance and upkeep. In a recent survey, research found that an estimated 77% of cars were in need of maintenance or repairs. Bikes, on the other hand, don't require paying for gas, and parts aren't nearly as expensive.
It's also getting more and more rewarding nowadays to bike instead of drive, as various organizations and government programs are rewarding commuters for switching to biking with cash incentives. It's even possible that cycling to work could qualify you for a tax break, depending on where you live. This has been making cycling an even better option for those looking to save a bit of extra money.
Why Cars Can't Compete
When it comes to the daily commute, most people will default to driving as a primary means of transportation. However, cars simply can't keep up with bikes across the board. Cars are far more dangerous; there are approximately 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year, with 3 million people being injured in those accidents annually. While there are some situations where cars are necessary and bikes won't do, such as longer drives, there are still better alternatives than driving your personal vehicle. Public transportation is a far more environmentally-friendly way to get where you're going, and can also be cheaper than owning your own personal vehicle. That being said, unless you're driving long distances to work every day, you'll want to consider swapping to a bike for your daily commute.
Cycling can be a green alternative to your daily commute that saves both your wallet and the environment. Would you switch to bicycling for some or all of your commute?
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