In terms of daily transpiration, most people don’t consider bicycles as a realistic choice for their commute. They often are ignored for transportation options that can cover more relative distance faster. But the value of bicycle transit is greater than what their distance can cover. It includes their cost, their usability, and flexibility, as well as their health benefits. Don’t forget to include the low cost of implementing bike pathways into a transportation network. That means that it is cheaper for cities to accommodate bike riders as opposed to motorists.

Let’s start with the fact that bicycles are an extremely cheap form of transportation, only coming in a couple hundred dollars for a basic one. It is entirely possible that you wouldn’t need to spend any money for upkeep beyond the original cost for months or even years. I’ve personally used a bike for over six months without spending a dime in maintenance costs. That is a extremely underrated benefit of bikes: Worry free transportation.

Second, It’s quite easy and useful in certain situations. You can take shortcuts that a car can’t get you through. You can take sidewalks when the street has too much traffic. You can lock your bike right at the front of stores or other buildings for quick and easy errand running. Imagine not having to find or pay for a parking space when you’re picking up a few things from the store down the street.

Finally, the health/life benefits are extremely good. Using your bike to get in exercise is a great way to keep in shape. You’ll feel better and have an easier time maintaining a good weight. Also, when you ride your bike, you tend to notice your local area much more. Mom-and Pop shops and other places that you would have never noticed while going 40 mph on a street in a a car are much more noticeable to you now that you’re going at a slower pace in a bike. You feel much more connected to your community and cognizant of your local surroundings than if you were in a car.

So the next time you consider your transportation options, consider a bike. You won’t regret it.