How much is cycling worth?

[jnb]

How much do think cycling is worth to you in pence per mile?

Because being a nerd I have set up a spreadsheet keeping all my costs and milages in an aim to demonstrate to myself that cycling really does pay for itself.

 

[adds21]

I reckon it costs me about £1.32 a day when I drive to work, and that's just in petrol.

However, I never cycle the same route I drive, so it's not mile for mile. My drive into work is about 5.5 miles in, 5.5 miles out, but my cycle is always at least 6.5 miles in 7.5 miles back, sometimes more.

So to calculate savings it's more just the number of times I've commuted by bike rather than the distance.

I've cycled into work for about 2 years, for the first year or so just a few times a week, but these days almost every day. All together, 280 commutes, which is saving £370 (again, in petrol only, and at todays price). I've certainly spent a lot more than that on bikes and bike "stuff"

 

[leemo]

Cycling cost me about 10p/mile -- that's costs of bike maintenance and cycling clothes. It doesnt include extra food.
If I include the monthly gym membership I no longer need, it costs me nothing.

But you asked what is cycling worth. Its worth a lot to me; not something you can put a pound sign in front of!

 

[jnb]

Well, I've spend about £500, and have traveled ~1500 miles. So 33.33p per mile. But getting a new bike soon, so the amount will rise, but with my new bike I will be doing more miles :/

Ah no. The other way around, that's what it's cost you not what it's worth. I'm trying to work out how much it will take for my current bike to pay for itself, and how much it will take to justify buying the bike I really wanted.

 

[numbnuts]

Seeing I'm now retired I have two choices, sit and stare at four walls or go out cycling for me cycling is priceless

 

[oldroadman]

Seeing I'm now retired I have two choices, sit and stare at four walls or go out cycling for me cycling is priceless

The perfect answer.

 

[monkeypony]

With what I spend on bikes and kit it almost certainly costs me more than driving a car!

I certainly wouldn't choose to switch though.

 

[jugglingphil]

How much do think cycling is worth to you in pence per mile?

Because being a nerd I have set up a spreadsheet keeping all my costs and milages in an aim to demonstrate to myself that cycling really does pay for itself.

However you work it I can guarantee, buying a bike and all the gear and cycling to work is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a car, petrol, service, not to mention the cost of driving lessons.
What about the sense of joy and positive feeling when cycling in against the grind of commuting by car.

Government approved rate is 20p per mile
HM Govt

 

[oldroadman]

However you work it I can guarantee, buying a bike and all the gear and cycling to work is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a car, petrol, service, not to mention the cost of driving lessons.
What about the sense of joy and positive feeling when cycling in against the grind of commuting by car.

Government approved rate is 20p per mile
HM Govt

And you'll be healthier and live longer on average (or does it just feel that way when you have to climb a lot??).

 

[Moodyman]

And you'll be healthier and live longer on average (or does it just feel that way when you have to climb a lot??).

My current rate is 44p per mile and coming down all the time.

That's the initial outlay - bikes, gear, lights divided by mileage done.

I need no more gear and only expect to replace the odd chain this year. I expect to be near 20p by this time next year and even lower the year after.

 

[gaz]

Mine is around 30p a mile but decreasing.

 

[zigzag]

commuter bike around 7p/mile

long distance bike around 23p/mile

the cost is for the bikes and replacement parts

 

[asterix]

I've never bothered about it!

When I was commuting I bought this old Raleigh 5 speed for £25. Because York is flat I took the derailleur off and used it as a single speed. Then when I entered a century ride I put it back on for the day. That bike lasted me 3 years before I got something better. So with c. £30 for tyres that's £55, another £5 for other bits, £60. Thats £20 a year or c. £0.055 a day. Well under £0.01 a mile.

Unfortunately I suspect my more recent bikes aren't quite so cheap!

 

[rugbyluke]

My road bike was only £300 a Viking Torino. So it paid for itself very quick. All my oils and tools etc etc I get from work. Better than spending out £30 a week for my aprilia rsv Mille

 

[alci4]

well i already got my two bikes my g.t. x.c.r.and my voodoo bokor

started commuting about a month ago 10 mile a day all told

should have taxed, mot'd it and insured it last month and hav'nt bothered as the clutch needed changing and brakes were on their way out so just gonna weigh the car in and commute by bike

saving me 20 quid a week on petrol as well as £205 car tax £390 insurance and the god knows how much for the m.o.t
plus i feel more awake than ever when i get to work

so for me the cost is a huge saving but not the be all and end all