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People bike for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you bike for exercise knowing that biking strains your knees less than jogging. Maybe you bike to reduce pollution, knowing that a four mile round-trip by bicycle instead of by car keeps 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe. Or maybe you just enjoy all sensory experiences of the open air.
With the cost of gas prices going up faster than you can top off a Hummer, more people are adding another good reason to their list for biking: bicycles get unlimited gas mileage.
Bicyclists can go for hundreds and thousands of miles without ever having to stop to put gas in a bike. Even hybrid cars, regardless of technological advances, will never run on people-power like the old-fashioned, high-performance bicycle. In fact, bicycling is the most efficient form of transportation, requiring even fewer calories per mile than walking.
Independence from fossil fuels is just the tip of the iceberg of potential money savings from bicycling. In 2002, CNN Money reported that “financial planning experts concur that shelling out extra and sometimes unnecessary dollars for cars is one of the most common ways people overspend their money.” That year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, costs associated with car ownership accounted for a startling 18% of the typical household’s yearly expenditures (or over $7300/year). That was less than what was spent on rent or mortgages (19%), but significantly more than what households spent on food (13%) or health care (5.5%)! And that was back in the good old days, when gas cost than $1.50 per gallon.
All in all, average Americans spend close to 50 workdays each year toiling away to pay for the “convenience” of owning cars. By comparison, in an average year, bike expenses amount to just a day or two of working. Time to take a vacation!
So what can you do to make it easier to earn that extra time off? Here are a few tips to help you make the bicycle your main form of transportation:
1. Get a low-cost helmet.
 A properly fitted helmet can prevent eight out of ten head injuries. The good news is that for just $10 you can get a helmet to protect your precious brain. Remember, bike helmets are legally required in Seattle and King County.
2. See and be seen.
 I often see bicyclists at night with a helmet but without lights, yet both dramatically improve rider safety. Even if you don’t plan on biking at night, bike lights are a good idea in low light and overcast conditions. For only $35, you can outfit your bike with front and rear lights. Wearing bright clothing also increases your visibility. Stay alert and don’t count on being seen, especially when trying to cross a busy intersection. Make eye contact with drivers instead of assuming they will see you.
3. Learn how to ride safely.
Riding a bike isn’t dangerous, but collisions with vehicles are. To help you ride safely, the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation distributes free brochures on bicycle safety and organizes affordable safety clinics, with advice for both new and experienced riders. A series of classes can get you on the road to safe riding.
3. Learn some bike maintenance.
Compared to servicing your car, maintaining a bike is dirt cheap. You don’t need to learn expert bicycle maintenance skills if you can get by with bus money or a cell phone when you break down. But for only $10 to $15, Cascade’s bike maintenance classes are well worth the money to learn the basics.
4. Get free bicycle maps.
That’s right. Free. Visit our website for a list of free bike maps. Please only request maps that you think you will use. If you can, make a donation to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation to help us distribute maps and safety materials to community groups and low-income riders. Every donation makes a difference.
5. Accessorize.
How much more stylish can you get than by accessorizing? The following items are not just must-haves for the fashion conscious - they are tried and true basics. So basic, in fact, that on bikes sold in Europe, most of these items are as standard as two wheels and a saddle. Though a small investment is required, you will save money in the long run, by making your bike highly functional while reducing your reliance on a truly expensive motorized vehicle:
- If Belgians didn’t bike when it rained, we would never bike. But we couldn’t do it without fenders. You can get a set for $30 or less. Mud flaps are a bit cheaper, but don’t always work as well.
- A bike rack ($25-$40) allows you to transport stuff on your bike. With a few bungee cords ($3), you are ready to go.
- Most panniers cost upwards of $40, but if you shop around, you can find a good deal. Swiss mailbag-style panniers open at the top making them perfect for transporting your backpack or for bringing home bounty from the farmer’s market. Waterproof panniers cost more but keep contents dry during wet rides.
6. Need a bike?
The most basic need you may have is, of course, a bike. If you’re not looking for anything fancy, you can easily find new bikes under $300 that will serve you well. Used bicycle stores, the Courier Classifieds and our message boards often yield great deals. Whatever you do, make sure your new bike can get you over the occasional hill. These days, even most low-end bikes feature at least 18 gears.
7. Cascade members get a break.
Not a member yet? Rather reading a long list of the benefits to joining Cascade, check out our membership page.
As you can see, it’s pretty simple to cash in on the not-so elusive dream of unlimited gas mileage.
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