Gains and losses

Calculating the savings of commuter biking

Or should I say the gains? I started commuting to work several days per week on my bike. I ride from Oviedo to Baldwin Park. One-half my ride is road and then I hit the Seminole and Cady Way trail. Nice ride, best of both worlds. My bag is still a bit heavy, trying to decide what to carry and what to leave at work, but I seem to improve with each time.

I work as a dietitian. What you may not know about nutrition is that we are all about numbers. I am always calculating calories, carbohydrates etc. Now that I commute to work, I love to check the calculators for how much money I save, how long it will take me to pay back my bike spending, and of course, how many calories I burn on my 26-mile round trip.

No doubt that we save money by commuting. No doubt that we burn calories. No doubt that we are “greener.”

However, we gain so much. One thing I actually gain is time. You may wonder how I can gain time by taking longer to get to work. The high traffic and sometimes slow car ride to work can take me 45 minutes. It only takes me one hour to bike. I just love when I pass a long line of cars waiting for three traffic light exchanges.

I could drive in to the gym then drive to work, which would mean leaving my home even earlier. With biking, the workout is already incorporated into the day and I end up leaving later and getting home earlier. None of the calculators takes into account the cost savings of not having a gym membership.

I gain good mental health. Instead of the anxiety of traffic I enjoy the peace on the bike, I arrive to work with well-laid plans and fresh ideas and I arrive back home de-stressed instead of exhausted from the drive.

I continue to be a good role model to my young adult daughters. Let’s face it, these kids have seen September 11 and are currently in college hoping there is a good job out there when they finish. They can watch mom stay healthy, spend wisely, and see how it enhances life.

I gain spiritually. Whether you are religious or not, the peace on the bike gives you time to be reflective. It is too difficult to pray driving 50 mph on a 6-lane road. Well, besides praying for a safe ride home!

I gain the respect of co-workers and patients. I work with Veterans, many of whom ride a bike out of necessity, not a hobby. My coworkers think I am a bit crazy sometimes; this can be a good thing, who wants to be predictable! They all seek me out for health and biking advice, knowing I “walk the walk” and “talk the talk.”

We can all gain by getting out of the car and biking. Give it a try.