The Benefits Of Bike Commuting To Work

Bike commuting to work has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it a great way to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment, but it also has numerous benefits for mental and physical health, as well as financial savings. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider bike commuting instead of  driving a car.

Carbon Offset and Greenhouse Gasses

One of the primary benefits of bike commuting is its positive impact on the environment. Here are some interesting statistics:

• According to a study conducted by the European Cyclists' Federation, if just 10% of short car trips in cities were replaced by bike trips, CO2 emissions would be reduced by 7%. If 25% of those trips were replaced, CO2 emissions would be reduced by 21%.
• Another study by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy found that cycling produces 10 times fewer emissions per passenger-kilometer than driving a car.

Mental and Physical Health

Bike commuting also has numerous benefits for mental and physical health, including:

• Increased cardiovascular health: Regular cycling can help improve cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Improved mental health: Cycling is a great way to reduce stress and improve mood. Studies have shown that regular exercise can be as effective as medication in treating depression and anxiety. 
• Increased productivity: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and productivity, meaning that biking to work could help you get more done during the day.
• Better sleep: Regular exercise can help improve the quality of sleep, leading to increased energy and alertness during the day.
• Weight loss: Riding your bike to work burns calories (twice a day). If you're looking to drop a few pounds, leaving the car keys at home, and riding your bike to work is a good way to do it. Even riding an eBike requires you to move your body, thus increasing your metabolism.

Beyond the environmental and health benefits, bike commuting also has several other positive impacts, including:

• Cost savings: Biking to work can save you money on gas, parking, and maintenance costs associated with owning a car. According to the American Automobile Association, the average cost of owning and operating a car is over $9,000 per year. If you drove 50% as often, that means you can go spend $4500 on a sweet new bike right?
• Convenience: Bikes are often faster than cars for short trips in urban areas (or even mountain towns like Steamboat Springs), where traffic congestion can cause delays, and parking spaces are limited. Bikes are more maneuverable than cars, meaning they can be parked and stored in smaller spaces.
• Community engagement: Biking to work can help you feel more connected to your community by allowing you to interact with other cyclists, runners and people on your commute. It can also help you discover new parts of your town that you may not have paid attention to when you were driving your car.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, biking to work is a great way to stay active and connected to your community while also contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet.

If you have interest in tracking your car free travel, whether it be bike commuting, or even recreating from your doorstep, check out The Car Free Challenge website. It's easy to create an account, and you can transfer all of your bike activity via Strava, GPS file, or by manual entry.