It's always been a dream of mine to bike to work, but I'm apprehensive. I've biked all my life on greenways, trails, etc. and regularly (>3x/week) go out for 6-10 mile rides. Riding on the road is a bit frightening.
The ride is 2 miles on one road, right turn into work. There are only two major turn-off routes (only a small chance of faceplanting into a right-turning car) and no curbside parking (no chance of getting "doored"). The street is a "backroad" but is moderately used during the morning and night commute. No shoulder. No sidewalks.
Major downsides are: speed limit is 45 mph and cars typically go in excess of 50mph. The road is also very hilly so it might make for a tough ride.
This is the *only* way to get to work. Trust me, I've explored every alternative, including off-roading.
I have roughly $500 for this. My choices are to walk (takes about 40 minutes and is exhausting), get an inexpensive electric bike or buy a decent hybrid. I always wear a helmet and use a rearview. I ride my bike to work its about 1.4 miles from my home it takes 10 Min's. I have been doored once on the way to work and fallen off my bike a few times in the last two years but I think it changed my life for the better.
A few things I have noticed about biking to work it really really cheap my hybrid bike has disk brakes and costs $500.00 and good set of rain gear cost $150. Plus I have spent about $100 on repairs and accessories. I roded my bike to work about 4 days week for the last 20 months.
So I spent $720 to Commute to work for 320 work days it comes out to about 2.25 dollars a day.
If I compare that to cost of the bus which is 60 dollars a month for 20 months would have been $1200.00. The Bus Trip Takes 20 Min's compared to about 10 Min's for the bike ride. I have also lost about 5 lbs biking to work.
So all I can suggest is buy you self a bike with good disk brakes that can be done for $500.00 get yourself some good all weather gear and start cycling. My life has changed for better and I hope yours will to. I have even saved money on my shoes because there is less wear on them when you pedel the bike as opposed to walking.
PS I wear a dress shirt and tie work and I never sweat enough to need a shower in my 10 min ride. Some you have check you hair after you take you helmet off but it no big deal it's totally worth it if
1) you have the choice of alternative path to work through green areas - and not just traffic (that's not much healhty, plus it's risky - you can get hit by a vehicle)
2) if you can take a shower in your workplace, because comming to work all sweaty and smelly isn't very hip way to start a day..
n e way, good luck with you and your intentions for fitness I have been riding to work for many years and 7 years ago I moved somewhere hillier and got an electric kit for my bike. I have found it the best way to commute and don't get sweaty even though I live in the subtropics. You keep going at around 30km/hr even uphill so you always have a breeze.
I rode motorbikes for many years so I'm used to taking on the traffic but having said that there are some areas which are just unsafe to ride and very unpleasant. This tends to be where there is insufficient room for the cars to pass you and they want to move fast. I don't know what I'd do if I had to commute along roads like that. Maybe go back to motorbikes, but you don't get any exercise that way.
If you're interested in an electric bike someone in your area might lend you one to try it out. Many of us ebikers are a bit evangelical about it! If your ride would only be 2 miles or so, why not walk? (15mins). However if you made your ride to work longer you could, I am sure, find a good route.
I live in outer London about 7 miles from where my office was. I rode to the office for 17 years. I began on the main roads but as the traffic and pollution increased I found newer routes and ended up riding about 14 miles without riding on any main roads at all until I got to the central area about 1 mile from the office. One has to be imaginative. I used parks, side roads, alleyways, the grounds of the British War Museum and other public institutions. The ride to work ended up to be a pleasant experience. Also travelling to and from the office a lot more quickly than one could on public transport or driving was a big bonus.
I had shower facilities at the office and kept my suits in a cabinet I managed to acquire.
It may well be different where you live but with a little imagination I'm sure you could find a good route.
But only 2 miles!!! you would get more excercise walking and save $500. | 