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The Cost Of Commuting

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Due to acid rain, ultraviolet radiation and realities beyond life's control, tires will rot.

one year bike cost

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This article first appeared in the Holiday 1997 edition of the Bicycle Habitat newsletter.

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The Costs (and Benefits)
of Bicycle Commuting
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by Hal Ruzal


If you are the average bicycle commuter, you ride ten miles a day for approximately 200 days a year. Well, that's 2,000 miles. Assuming you have a fairly new hybrid or mountain bike and you can fix a flat tire, your expenses are the following per year:

Your chain and freewheel will be worn out. A new chain is $15, an average freewheel cogset is $35. Labor is $13. That equals $63.

Brake pads wear out with use. Brake cables should be changed periodically. The yearly cost of keeping your brakes up to standards is $43.

Due to acid rain, ultraviolet radiation and realities beyond life's control, tires will rot. Might as well buy two new tubes and a couple of patch kits while you're at it. Approximate cost of these items is $65.

If you're in the mood, you can have your wheel bearings overhauled. The repair cost $23 for both wheels.

Miscellaneous repairs (you crash and need a new rear derailleur) should cost $75 at most.

New let's add these numbers up and see how much bicycle commuting costs. I get $269 plus tax. That equals $291.20. This may seem like a lot of money until you figure 200 round trips by subway is $600. Even worse, 200 round trips of ten miles by the evil, polluting taxicab (including tip) exceeds $1,500.

As you can see, bicycle riding, as well as being fun and exhilarating, is an inexpensive way of transporting oneself. Go out and start riding today.