I'm about to embark on an experiment of sorts. Tomorrow I will pick up one of these and start commuting by bicycle. At 10 miles from home to work, and a car that gets 20 miles per gallon, I will be saving a gallon of gas a day. I will be keeping a running tally of how much gas I have saved (and what percentage of the purchase price I have recouped). At today's prices I'll need to ride 5 days a week for 33 weeks to "break even", but that will come a little quicker if prices continue to rise. I figure that it will take until some time next summer unless I can ride well into the fall and winter.
One of the factors considered is the cost of time. Time is money, bla bla yakity smakity. Sure it will take more time to commute, but I figure a comparable exercise regimen would take more time out of the day. Cycling is something that I enjoyed as a teenager, but I haven't been on a bike seriously in close to twenty years. Fortunately the route I intend to take will be flat. I chose this route primarily as a safety consideration due to only crossing one busy street at a light. That will allow me to get into decent shape without any hills. I know my heart can use the improved functional capacity.
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