1,000 Reasons Why Bicycle Commuting Is Better Than Driving
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2022
- High gas prices getting you down? RIDE A BIKE!
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Could not agree more!
Have met plenty of people that have exchanged almost any kind of addiction to cycling addiction, myself included. Had a food addiction problem, now that is under control and I ride my bike so much more. Have three bikes now and I love them all equally.
If you are physically unfit to the level that you think you can't ride a bike, go for a ride anyway. Stick at it and you will find that every journey becomes a little bit easier. Riding a bike is a great way to get more physically active towards a more healthier lifestyle. Even it is just your daily commute.
Admittedly I do still own a car, but that is just for work purposes. My job requires me to own and use a vehicle, but when I am off work, it very rarely gets used.
Cycling saved m y life, got to a point of being morbidly obese, diagnosed with a lung and eye disease. So doctors suggested to me to try to make better life choices. I chose cycling. Now about 5 years later I am 52kgs lighter, my lungs are stronger than ever and I am very close to being able to call myself an endurance cyclist. Three imperial centuries under my belt and planning on a double imperial century later this summer. And I also bike tour on every holiday I get.
Thanks for the inspiration Ryan! Its been a real journey so far and cant wait for the rest of it!
Andri Freyr
Your story is so inspirational!!! Thank you for sharing.
Well done, that is brilliant, and you have done really well!
I read a cycling quote online a couple of years ago, which said:-
"Every bicycle ride is a mini-holiday"
and that is the truest thing I have ever read.
🤘💪🖖
Now thats an awesome accomplishment. Congrats.
👍
I commuted on a bike for about three years. The main thing I didn't expect was how much it improved my mood. I would arrive to work in a good mood and I had the ride home to look forward to after work. Love it! :-)
Exactly!!!
SO TRUE!!! Biking = smiles
I hear you man!
@@Another-Address I also have the good fortune of living close to work. (4.5 miles) That makes it very doable even when the weather isn't ideal.
Agree!! My bike commute is the BEST part of my day!
It is channels like yours that got me to sell my car a few months ago, and I don’t miss it enough to get another anytime soon. I ride the bus to work and do all my daily errands on a bike. I’m enjoying life more using a bike, so thank you for helping me make the switch.
You should try the youtube channels: czcams.com/users/NotJustBikes and czcams.com/users/OhTheUrbanityvideos and maybe this video: czcams.com/video/GJa37T5NJ4I/video.html
Excellent work
You are awesome!!! Congrats on making the switch!!
I’ve done the same as of recent; along with cutting out tons of bills in my name. I’m down to a phone bill, and other small crap like a Pandora monthly bill. I’m basically nomadic and travel by bike. It’s been great!
@@the_minimalistic_adventure That must feel SO GOOD!
I’m going to be 50 soon and I’ve NEVER owned a car and NEVER had a desire to do so for that exact same reason! I’m really glad I’m not alone in the world who feels this way! Thanks for what you do!
To make the transition to giving up my car, I went three months, in the coldest part of the year, without driving my car. I figured, if I could go three months in the winter without driving, I could go all year. Sold my car, and haven’t looked back. That was 8 years ago.
That’s awesome, and a very good test!
And just an FYI, riding through stop signs is legal in Colorado if there's no cross traffic, it's called the Colorado Safety Stop, and it's based off the Idaho Stop which went into law in the early 1980's. Read more about it here, www.bicyclecolorado.org/bike-news/colorado-safety-stop-becomes-law/
Oh, this is the best thing. My local town has a stop sign on every block, and it is very quiet without much traffic. I love the safety stop. Also, traffic light sensors are a pain. You don't have to sit at the light waiting for it to change.
no lies detected here! I parked my car about one and half year ago, switched to the bike for all things commuting and groceries, bought a trailer to haul the kids around. I'm fitter, happier and more productive, as they say in that song. Love you Ryan, always an inspiration.
You rock Alessandro!!! Give those kids a high five from crazy uncle Duzer :)
Great message. When I retired at 56 I ditched the car and got an e-bike and a lightweight single speed. The single speed is more fun to ride around while the e-bike is my hauling machine.
Ebikes are great haulers!
I have two bikes, an EBike and a 24 speed Trek. I started riding my EBike to work due to the gas prices and I love it. I use my other bike for recreation and bike packing!
I'm 44 years old and live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I moved recently and I live about 5 KM (about 3 miles) from work. Which isn't much, but I don't have a car and I've biked to work nearly every single day since February. I've biked in sun, high winds, rain, and even snow. With snow, I have studded tires to help me get through that (and wearing layers). So far, my best time biking to work is around 12 minutes 30 seconds.
I get around town by bike, too. Yesterday, I biked from Dartmouth to Kearny Lake, which is about 16 KM. It took me an hour and I was exhausted, but I made it. Hell, I've gone grocery shopping on my bike, filling up my panier bags with groceries.
It's absolutely doable to use a bike as your main mode of transportation. I fully admit that it's not easy starting out, but it gets easier and easier the more you bike.
I wouldnt risk to share narrow winter road with cars and trucks. In winter i use bike just for fun, on pedestrian lanes, parks, or in quite living areas. Its average speed drops down to 10kmh, and you have to wash and lubricate Bike components after salty dirt. But ride in heavy snow, then everethyng is so clear, its winter magic.
@@dazzershell The area where I live, I'm fortunate that my commute is a combination of shared pathways with pedestrians, bike lanes, and wide two-lane roads with cars. For about 85% of my commute, I'm relatively safe away from cars. But I know that's not the case for everyone.
Very impressive! You Canadians are tough!!
Ryan, here's another benefit I love about bicycle commuting: children will wave and say hi! When I'm in my vehicle 😢, if I see a group of youngsters, I won't even look their way. but when I'm on my bicycle, it is not uncommon for them to smile at me and say hi!
Ryan,I'm 58 yrs.old I been riding my bike,for the last 53 yrs. I started on a tricycle at age 3. I've had some car accidents,almost killed in my last one.But hand capped but still riding my bike.Got 5 bikes nowbut all bought and paid for. Well ride on brother,keep the round side down,keep doing what you do it's gr8
.
Rode my bike to the grocery store yesterday to do some shopping! Its a step in the right direction!!
Right on!!! Pretty soon you’ll be doing all your errands by bike
This is one of my favorite things to do. I have to be careful not to buy more than I can carry, so I need a cargo bike. Every trip to the grocery store burns 650 calories.
Ryan I found my wife on the side of the road while riding my bike back in 84 . Was riding from bar harbor to key west and she was broke down on the side of A1A . We are on our 3rd trans am since we met in 84.
NO WAY!!! This is the best 'found on the side of the road' story ever!!! I wish you both the best on your trans am ride
everything you say in this video is very true... the bike is the elixir of life !
It sure is!
Wife and I have always had a car. She won't live without one because she has health issues and needs to get to faraway doctor appointments, so I'm fine with that, but when we lived in a small town in Washington state, I rode my recumbent bike everywhere except to those appointments. Now I have a recumbent trike sarcastically named Secretariat. I will never set any track records, but man am I ever having fun! Thanks for another fantastic video, Ryan. I love watching your stuff!
I’ve been riding my bike since the 70’s. Cars make me laugh every time I think about it. Car payment, gasoline, insurance,maintenance, then there is parking issues. and the list goes on and on.oh, traffic road rage and traffic jams
Yep, none of that with bike commuting!
The Hammer story made me laugh out loud! Great video, Ryan. Thank you!!
It’s a sweet hammer 😂
Been saying this to drivers for months now. We also have a hell of a lot of building work going on nearby so queues are terrible. Being on a bike means you can cut through the traffic. I hardly ever get a positive response. Madness.
Worst thing for traffic is school run time. I bike with my 7 year old daughter the mile to school when we can. She absolutely loves it.
I don't have a car on the road anymore so am used to cycling everywhere local. I'm also actively involved in trying to make the lives of cyclists better here in Lincolnshire, UK. It's hard work because of the 'roads are for vehicles' culture here. However, I won't give up.
I envy you and where you live because the infrastructure looks great for cyclists. Seeing how Copenhagen has got it sorted on the Tour De France coverage has been great. You are such an inspiration too Ryan. 👍
I've covered 60 miles on my bike over the last few days. If I can do it, anyone can. 😁
Reasons to use your bike more often:
1) Good for your Physical and Mental health.
2) Save on Gas Money
3) It slows down the Depreciation of your Vehicle which saves you money.
4) Less Air Pollution.
5) Less Noise Pollution.
6) During Rush Hour you can reach your destination faster by Bike.
Yes on all accounts
I actually got a new job closer to home so I can drive way less on purpose. No more 75 mile commute and 2 hours commute time. I now ride my bike to work in 18 minutes it’s so refreshing to have time again for myself.
Congrats on the new job!! Happy trails
I agree with you 100%, I’m 64 and I’ll never stop cycling, even when I had a car I spent more time on my bike then the car!
Right on Raymond!
Me too. That was the lesson I learned from the gas crunch of the 70s.
My work commute is 7 miles and I just bought a bike today, I'll start commuting by bike on Monday. I have a bit of a food addiction and have ballooned to almost 280 lbs. This will be great for my health, I can't wait to start!
Excellent message! Especially appreciate the positive shoutout to all us seniors riding e-bikes! At 69 almost 70 my e-bike is my first love in cycling. Ride almost everyday and trying to work it even more into it being my major transportation method. Can’t do without a car completely BUT when I really don’t need to drive (which I hate more as I age) I cycle. Additionally, I love living vicariously through you and your adventures. 👍🏽 Thanks. 😀
Very exciting!
Have you considered buying a trailer to make some trips easier?
Grocery store, for example
I couldn't agree more I've been cycling for 5 years and I lost 250 pounds in 5 years and cycling saved my life from being lazy and obese now I'm a beast and I love cycling it's a real life saver.💯
That's amazing!! You rock.
@@duzer yeah been biking everywhere where I live obesity is really bad and people drive like crazy
I rode a bike to work for most of my working life (about 50 years); am now retired 2 1/2 yeears & riding about 600 km a month for pleasure & exercise + any errands I can do on a bike. Feeling great at 70!
That's awesome, Bill! Happy trails
@@duzer Thank you
Duzer, you rock! I'm 72 and I ride my bike every day, all over the place. Good advice delivered as only you can. I'm a big fan-thanks for being there. All the best to you.
Rusty you're my hero!! Happy trails
Bought a mtb 2 weeks ago and as l’m writing this my ass still hurts cause of the mileage l’ve been doing , ( l’m 56 yo , 6f 2in and 265 lbs ) and so l’ve been trying to bring back my inner child , l went for a ride in trails in my home town just yesterday with my brother and well my front weel got stuck in mud so l went over the handlebars and faceplant in it 💩😄 , of course my brother could not stop laughing as l stood up looking like the swamp thing 🤢😆 , had to give my bike a good hosedown after that ride but it still was awesome and my heart was happy to be in nature and to spend time with my bro , we will wash and repeat for sure ...peace everyone ! ✌😘
As a fellow mid-50s MTB rider, I can say two things. The first is to get some good bike shorts. I'm not sure why but butt pain is for real and seems worse as you get older. A good pair of padded shorts can turn those miles into smiles. The second is to not forget the pads if you are riding trails. I just wear a helmet on the roads but when I'm on the trail I always wear knee and elbow pads. Healing takes longer as we get older and my crashes don't haunt me nearly as long when I'm not having to heal from scrapes, cuts, and bruises. Plus they give you the confidence to do more stupid stuff like hitting jumps. Enjoy the new bike!
Ha!! You have an awesome attitude!
@@JeffRevell lol thanks man, that's the second thing l bought right after the bike and it does help , oh and l changed the seat too , every little bit helps ! 😄
Hello Ryan.
I was inspired by you about a year ago, to reduce using my car. I do bike to work now to see my patients, 90 percent of the time.
Even if I have to do 30, or 50, or 100 km a day, I use my bike on a mostly daily basis.
I alternate between a manual bike and a pedal assist electric bike.
I was inspired by the video when you gave an e bike gift for your mom.
I was able to reduce my weight and manage my blood sugar.
Thank you to you for providing the inspiration.
WOW!! That's an impressive amount of KM's to get to work, YOU ROCK!! Thanks for sharing your story
That's awesome, man. "Get a bike" was my #1 suggestion in my video "5 Ways to Beat Inflation Today"...glad you made people aware of this. I will share the video on my Twitter.
Thank you for sharing!! It truly helps
You missed one of the best reasons! Many of my friends also commute via bike, and I'll randomly see them while out and about on the roads. We can then ride together and chat, sillily wave to one another, or whatever we feel like. You are so isolated in a car that you can't do that.
So true!!
Yep, the social aspect is one of the best benefits. You are immersed in the places you ride through. Just last night, I was riding down a residential street, and people were out playing with their kids and barbecuing. You can say hello or strike up a conversation. You miss all that closed up in a car.
I just purchased my first bike in over 15 years a week ago mainly due to your influence. My new Trek Verve 3 is hopefully going to replace my car for many of my daily outings. I am quite out of shape but still managed my first commute yesterday (roughly a 15mi round-trip). It was absolutely liberating! I seriously enjoyed the ride at 10mph far more than sitting in my car doing 45mph and dodging other crazy drivers. Just the fresh air alone was enough to get me hooked. I actually enjoyed it so much that I returned to my local Trek store today and bought my Wife and two sons bikes as well. My 3yo has his balance bike and my 12yo has a Wahoo 24. Teaching and watching my 12yo learn to ride and seeing that excitement of freedom on his face is forever going to be one of my favorite memories. We even got a little trailer to haul my 3yo around in on longer trips. I know this is pretty long-winded but I just wanted to express how much of an inspiration you have been to me. I live in FL so, I am hoping that by this Winter I am in much better shape and can begin doing some overnight tours or weekenders. If it were my choice, I'd ditch my car entirely and save roughly $800/mo but my Wife isn't down for that quite yet. We have a good public transit system here in Gainesville, FL and fairly decent bike infrastructure so, definitely don't need the car except for those longer trips out of town. Maybe one day.
Your comment put a HUGE smile on my face!!! I’m so excited for you (and your family). Congrats on being brave and taking a bold step to a healthier and HAPPIER life!! You rock
We need more people sharing this important message in this country! The financial burden of cars is more immense than most understand, when you start to account for externalized costs to society beyond gas, maintainance, insurance, tolls, etc. There's the huge burden on the taxpayers for gigantic roads, free parking, obesity epidemic, energy dependence on oil....
Cars cost huge sums of money and make you less healthy. Bikes cost next to nothing and make you healthier!
Well said!
YES!!! *Funner* is a word, defined as "more fun than fun!" That's how my brother and I defined it for my stepmother, who is super intellectual, almost 20 years ago! Thank you for bringing back that fantastic memory, Ryan. I love your enthusiasm so much! I bought an electric bike last October, and I've needed it a few times when my van had to be put in the shop. It was so much fun riding, I had almost forgot and yes it made me feel like a kid again!
I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, but you are like my life coach, my older brother, and my best friend! Wishing you an *AMAZING* Sunday, Ryan!
FUNNNNERRRRRRRRR!!! Thanks for backing up my claim that funner is indeed a word. I appreciate your kind words, and hope to meet you someday!
The thing I like most about bike commuting is how consistent it is.
My car will always be faster in clear traffic conditions but that's not always the case. So it could be 30 mins or even an hour if traffic is bad.
The ebike is 45 minutes every time regardless of traffic, plus I get to go through nice scenic parks.
Very good point!!
I am 59 and have started commuting 30km to work twice a week by bike and I can vouch for everything Ryan has said, except I found an adjustable wrench.😃
A wrench!!?? You lucky dog :) Happy trails
Few people I will say this about; I wish you a bigger soapbox to stand on! Your video is all truth by ones like myself that used a bicycle for primary transportation.
It's getting a little bigger everyday! Thanks for the support
Appreciate this video Ryan. I gave up my last car in a little over a decade ago. I purchased my first ‘adult’ bike shortly after. I now work for my city’s bike share as a mechanic and I love it. Cycling clears my mind, soothes my body. Given street congestion, I can get to most places faster than in a car
What a cool job! Thanks for being part of the solution
I got rid of my Tacoma last month. When I crunched the numbers with payment, registration, maintenance, gas, and parking/tolls it was over $12,000 a year. As soon as I had that number in my head, I started moving very intentionally towards a car-free/car-lite life. I'm over a month in, and I'm LOVING IT!
Awesome! One of my most significant expenses is car insurance. I've thought about going car-free and living in a very rural area. I ride to town as often as possible for errands, grocery shopping, and dropping off my packages at the post office. It takes me longer, but I figure I'm getting in my exercise/relaxation/recreation, so I'm killing several birds with one stone.
I commuted for 3 years on my bike, at least when the weather was good. It was wonderful. I nearly was run over by inattentive drivers a time or two, but had only one minor fall. With 13 miles each way and several thousand feet of climbing to do, a regular bike was not practical, so I built an e-bike with sufficient battery to do the job. I started with a mountain bike with a conversion kit for the first version. Later I bought a frame designed for an e-bike and used moped tires to avoid flats. With enough motor for the hills and enough battery for the range it was the perfect commuter. You actually get a significant amount of exercise with an ebike, briefly pedaling hard to help out on starts and steep hills, but don't really get sweaty unless the weather is too hot. So extra showering isn't taking away from your day. The cleansing effect of riding is good for the mind, work's stress melts away during the ride. Efficiency of ebiking is higher than driving and higher than pedal bike riding, electricity is much cheaper than food. The electric assist increases the practical range for riding. Have fun and ride safe!
I used to commute at least twice a week on my bike (20 miles one way - about 55 minutes there & 1 hour 20 minutes home), but over the last couple years two people have been killed by motorists on my commute route. Makes me a little more hesitant these days. Not to mention 20 minutes of my ride offer a solid potential to get shot if you cross the wrong person on the wrong day. Still REALLY want to start bike commuting again though.
Is there an alternate route that might be a little longer, road less traveled, but make the ride safer?
That's tough...and I totally hear you, those are valid fears...
Excellent ...you have been doing this a looong time ago Ryan. Know people know you are right.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear you are from Boulder. I clicked on this video because I ordered my first bike and it comes in on Wednesday. I’m a college student in Boulder and I can’t wait to save money on the expensive gas prices here!
Hey Ryan I'm on hammer #2 a sledge Hammer and a little copper head 🔨 🔨
But this year so far the best thing was a rubber duck. 🦆
A rubber duck?? That's quite a treasure ;) Hope you find more cool stuff this summer
Two years ago I bought an e-bike to get myself to work. I live about 7 miles away from work and I honestly get to work in the same amount of time as I would if I drove. And like you said, the parking is definitely better with my bike.
Love it!!
Ryan you are so cool! I want to be like you when I’m older haha. I live in Denver and is not as bike friendly as Boulder but I always ride my bike everywhere. I have made friends riding, I’m in shape because of riding, I have struggled with depression and guess what has helped tremendously… riding. Seriously ppl don’t ask “why u ride your bike?” Ask “why are you NOT riding?”. ✌🏽
Riding a bike is the silver bullet to so many of life's struggles! Happy Trails
Ryan, hey I watched you this morning you make more sense than anyone, I am 60 just getting back on my bicycle thanks to you I am enthusiastic as hell I wanna ride. Thank you have a great rest of your day. Salem oregon
Enthusiastic as hell is a great feeling!! Happy Trails my friend
I started bike commuting on May 23rd. I love it! It’s about 20 miles a day. I don’t miss rush hour traffic one bit.
Nice one Rob!! Have fun out there
I really appreciate your commitment! I’ve been riding for a full year now and I love it. There’s reasons I’m not driving but at the end of the day I really love cycling. Some coworkers ask me “when are you going to get a car?” They lose their minds when I tell them that I want to cycle forever. I mention to them how it forces you to find different ways of executing things much more low impact. I’m a new subscriber and really like your energy mate .. salamat 🤙🏽
I tell you, I just love watching your videos. Doesn't matter what it is, even when you're sad you're making people happy. One of my all time favorite channels. Keep it up brother.
Awwwweee, thank you so much for these kind words, they mean the world to me
Bike commuter from the Canadian prairies here. All the points you bring up are great! Riding a bike is also relaxing after a tiring day of work or school.
The taking things in when you're on a bike is also very true. You come to see and feel the area around you in a way that you just can't in a vehicle.
Love to hear from my Canadian friends!!
If one has any semblance of sanity, there really is no arguement against all the points you made! Glad the US is, indeed doing more for bicyclists. Where I live in Indiana, it is as biker friendly as it was for me growing up in Northern Va in the 70's (Which was not much!). I went back to the old neighborhood do a 100 mile riding event last Oct with a childhood friend I use to ride bikes with. Now, the "old neighborhood" is much more biker friendly than it ever was with thruways alongside major roads. My hope is that your suggestions will help transform the nation to become more like Boulder- Yes, I need to cast my vote-- And more importantly, for now, I need to ride more myself- rid myself of all these aches and pains-- I know it works! So... one last thought: NOW GET OUT THERE !!
Yes really hope so! I think being on a bike makes life more meaningful. It teaches us to enjoy the journey and not just the destination.
Getting involved making your community bike friendly is big. I am in Northern Wyoming and there is hostility to bikes but can be overcome because there are Federal dollars for it. The hard heads love money. Just lead them to it. We most need education for every body, motorized and not, on sharing the streets and the pathways.
I live in Cheyenne, we have a really good Greenway system now. I use it 5 times a week at least. Yes, Wyoming is not a real bicycle friendly state.
Sadly, it's difficult to keep politics out of the conversation but I'm sure there is a way - in my experience talking about biking in the US brings up the environment which is important, but definitely pisses off the monster truck, beer guzzling oil refinery crowd. I'll always bike but it's just easier in other countries to talk about - thank god we have ambassadors like Ryan!
I hear you, and it sounds like Wyoming is getting better. I remember riding a cool path all the way through Casper on my cross country ride in 2018.
@@duzer it is getting better. You should come up to Cheyenne, and I will show you the Greenway system we now have. Its quite extensive. One of the things you forgot to talk about, is the stuff you will need on your bike, to do the things you'd do in a car. Like A basket in front and panniers or a set of baskets in the rear. Or a trailer. Just a thought.
Hahaha yes I get the hostility here in North Idaho too. They even go so far as to say people on bikes are mean to them. How silly!!! I do agree that the more you see bikes the more you expect them.
I live in Chicago and for 16 years I worked at a place 11.5 miles away and drove my car for nearly 5+ years of that time before I shifted to riding my bike to work. I ended up going car-free at a point when it just got too expensive to justify maintaining a car when I was only driving it maybe once or twice a month. Over the years there was a lot of adjustment to living car-free and it certainly helped that my wife can just walk a few blocks to her job at a local university. Some health and bike fit concerns both of us have had for decades got us to choose a pair of recumbent trikes for getting around these days. I had a recumbent (two wheels), a few years back and I find the trike to be a lot more fun and WAY more stable. It certainly has some drawbacks when it comes to the car-free lifestyle, but I'm determined to make it work. For years we've been wanting to move to somewhere along the Front Range of Colorado - especially the area between Boulder and up through Fort Collins. Sure, there are probably cheaper places to live, but nowhere as bike-friendly. We really enjoy the touring videos, but actually, we really liked the Thursday Night Boulder Bike Ride thing you did the video on recently and I think more videos of the more casual side of cycling would go a long way towards helping to spread the word. Cycling is definitely getting a lot more popular and e-bikes certainly help, but I think a LOT of people still think it's an activity people do as sport or only for fun, without acknowledging that you can do it for practical purposes but that those practical purposes and ALSO BE FUN! I guess my little request tacked onto the end of my lengthy anecdote would be for you to create a bit more "mundane" cycling content to show the little everyday pleasures of a car-free lifestyle, and yeah, also the challenges and how to solve those.
Well said!! I'll work on content like this
I used to ride about 5 to 6 thousand miles a year commuting to work. I could eat literally anything I wanted back then and not gain a pound.
Ryan. Another awesome video! Can't get the grin off my face!! All good points. Cycletherapy is the best therapy! Yes to feeling the environment, the wind in your hair! We do that with our Cycling Without Age programme here in Hamilton Ontario. We use Electric assist Trishaws to share that feeling with otherwise shut-in Seniors. Thanks for putting som any well articulated points together in one place! Keep Rolling and Sharing!
Very cool program you have! I think we have a program like that in Boulder
I would never have found or looked for your channel, much less spent a second watching it a year ago. And when I was young, I was one of those jerks on the road who made bicyclists feel unsafe, I’m sure of that. Then last year, a friend’s dad was out visiting and brought over his new e-bike. I decided to give it a go and see what it was like. Two months later I spent $6,000 on a new Trek Rail 7 e-mountain bike of my own. I initially thought about buying a cheaper one like he had, but the more I researched and educated myself and comared my experience with riding his, the more sure I was that riding a bike was going to be a significant part of my future for the rest of my life, so I jumped in whole hog instead.
Two thoughts based on my experience.
1. More bikes on the road isn’t what will make cycling safer among traffic. More people riding bikes is what will make them safer. It took no more than 20 minutes for me to recognize that I was the problem all those years, not the people riding their bikes.
2. Every point you made in this video is 100% accurate. I have nevr been so happy in my life as I am when I’m out riding my bike. I regret that it took me this long to find out hwat you guys have always known. These things are magical in their ability to change everything about your experience of life from top to bottom. Even a bad day on my bike is better than most good days without it.
I got a similar experience when I bought my first Prius and got stuck at my first red light with no traffic around on my way home from buying it. I shut off the climate control and rolled down all the windows and just soaked in the silence and sounds of the nature around me. I was instantly in love with that and replaced that with an electric car so I could get even more of it in my travels. And over the years of enjoying those experiences, I’ve also found that I actually prefer taking the slower routes when I go somewhere if I have the time to do it because I’m going slower and taking in more of what’s around me, and the silence lets me open the windows and feel more a part of the world I’m driving through. When I got my bike, I found out that it’s all of the good parts of the experience of driving an electric car, but multiplied because I’m not having to open any windows or anything - I’m literally just out there _in_ the world around me taking the whole thing in unadulterated and unfiltered by glass and steel and sound deadening insulation. When I’m on my bike, I’m not just experiencing the world around me through a windows - I’m in it and taking part in it and not separated from it.
Getting that bike has completely changed my life in ways that I never even knew could exist. It’s like nothing I ever imagined.
Thank you for all the videos you make on your bike rides. I use them to fill in the gaps of where I can’t do any more riding myself because I’ve wasted most of the first 49 years of my life not caring about fitness or living a healthy lifestyle. You’re part of how I keep riding when I can’t ride any further. Your videos are among the closest to actually riding myself as I’ve found so far. This must be what heaven is like.
WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing your story, I admire your honesty. AND I love how biking has changed your life for the better, such an inspirational story. Happy Trails, My friend
People in my area are so car and truck obsessed. I bicycle commute to work, and my coworkers act like I'm a freak because of it. Some of them even take pity on me and offer rides. They just can't understand why a grown person would choose to ride a bicycle.
They’re the weird ones!! 😂😂 keep on pedaling
A big one for me to add to your list: meeting and connecting with people and your community. At least here in Portland I often find myself striking up a conversation with a fellow rider as we share a few blocks together. People are so positive when riding, and it just makes my day so much brighter to have a great little chat with a stranger. Some of these strangers even become good friends. I'm sure you, Ryan, have made plenty of life-long friends just being out riding your bike.
So true!
Ryan, I could not agree more. Bikes and biking is way more funer than sitting in traffic and paying really high gas prices. thanks for the video and all you do.
It’s the FUNNEST!!!
So true. I live in a rural area and everything is miles away but one of my goals is to replace my car with my bike on any trip that's 5 miles or under. I think our society does a poor job of looking at bikes beyond their recreational use. Bikes are viable transportation for tons of people! To and from work, the gym, etc. Great stuff Ryan!
Well said!!
You’re a genuinely good guy Ryan. Enjoy your videos.
Thanks! I appreciate the kind words
Thanks Ryan, great message. I've been doing my best to park my vehicle and commute as much as possible.
Love it!!
Riding a bicycle is a great way to exercise. Ebikes are bringing many older adults back to cycling.
Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles. Safe protected bike lanes and trails are needed so adults and children can ride safely. Speak up for bicycles in your community. Bicycles make life and cities better. Ask your local transportation planner and elected officials to support more protected bike lanes and trails. Children should be riding a bicycle to school and not be driven in a minivan. Be healthier and happier. Ride a bicycle regularly.
Love your vids Ryan. I'm gonna go ride today thank you very much!
Happy Trails!
One obstacle to using a bicycle instead of a car is finding safe places to park and lock my bike. There are lots of bike racks around, however, many are not located in well lit, easily viewed locations. Bicycle theft is an unfortunate consequence. Hasn’t stopped me, but a definite deterrent. Great video. Thanks.
Yeah, That is a big concern. Even though my bike is a cheap one and as such not really a high target for bike thieves I still never ever leave it out doors unattended at all. It comes indoors when I get home and my work let's me bring it in the building when I get there so I never leave it outside at all. Actually a lot of people where I work bike to work. There's always like half a dozen bikes in the back room. lol.
When I got my kryptonite lock, it had an optional 3 year plan you could do for $20-30 (can’t remember exact amount) and it makes it where they will cover the cost of a new bike if your bike is stolen while locked with their lock. This can help give peace of mind!
@@mattsmith8160 i got an optional 3 year plan for my kryptonite lock for $20-30 that makes it where they will cover the cost of a new bike if mine is stolen while using their lock. Extra peace of mind for me
Best way to deal with that is either to use a beater bike or lock your bike in such a way that it will be a massive pita to steal.
I use a U lock with a steel cable looped through the front wheel, lock the U lock around the seat post tube as low down as possible.
I also have a frame mounted rear wheel lock which is quite discreet and uncommon where I'm from, so if someone tried to cut through the U lock they will still have to deal with the frame lock which is a lot harder to cut through without damaging the bike.
As its an ebike they also wouldn't be able to carry it for long.
Whilst they will be trying to cut the locks, my bike alarm (doubles as a tail light) will be creating a lot of noise and drawing attention also.
The idea is that if it looks like a pita to steal, then they will likely look for an easier target.
Years ago I was gunning so hard to get a car but situations and circumstances always got in the way...like some type of divine block. It was frustrating. I used to say that bicycles were/are for bums because they don't know how to drive because I was so upset. Fast forward to now and I have my second bike. Now I say at least I don't have to worry about high gas prices and cycling is something I really enjoy. It's a sense of freedom that I wouldn't get in a car. The expenses that come with having a car are beyond astronomical. By the way...I never had a car a single day in my life either.
Hell yeah.
About a month ago i bought an e scooter to commute 5km to my nearby railway station to get to work. Lots of fun and cheap as chips on fuel rather than 1000km per month in my car+tolls+fuel for the work commute I used to do by car.
Ive just gotten a hardtail yesterday and havent ridden a bike for about 18 years (im 31) and took it out yesterday. What a blast.
Cant wait to commute with it to the station and discover the bike trails around my suburb!
Discovering loads of great nature around me was the most striking thing when i got a speedpedelec (30mph) bike. In a car i just rode the main roads from A to B. On the bike you ride for fun and discover new areas. Especially here in the Netherlands there are loads of bike routes that you can follow for leisure. Driving a car can be a bit fun when you are accelerating at a stoplight. But it's not as fun as actually getting exercise while you are accelerating. It's just magic doing that in a nimble way on 2 wheels. I never enjoyed normal bikes or e-bikes that way though. I really like the kick of powerful pedal assist to make it extremely fun.
I am moving to a new town/state. I specifically chose a real estate agent that would find a house that would allow me to bike most of the time. I'm excited because my house is super close to a major multi-use trail that will allow me to ride (run or ski) to work, grocery stores, library, and the farmer's market! I'm 53 and I'm going to keep this lifestyle for as long as I can. Disclaimer: I do own a car. I use it for taking my dogs to the vet and long distance trips to visit family (and take the dogs). I drive about 2000 miles/year.
My daughter lives in Mesa, AZ, and there is a multi-use path right across the street from her house that goes for miles and miles all over the city and is connected to other trails. I like to ride on it when I go to visit.
I can relate with a lot of the reasons you’ve mentioned on riding a bike everyday. I’ve been commuting to work on my bike since February 2013 and I love it. Not only I save money on gas and insurance and maintenance on the car, I get a little extra money every month, that I use for my bike maintenance,for doing it through carpooling program from work.
Love it!!
I've never been able to afford a car but, I'm buying myself a foldable bicycle today because it takes too long to walk places. I see this as a great way to get places.
You’re gonna love it! Happy trails
My best ever buy was a Dawes Streetwise for fifty-pence off eBay! The paintwork was looking a bit tatty - hence the starting price - but the bike is really solid and still rides OK. I made the first and only bid, and twelve years later I still have it.
That's so cool!!
I usually ride on the weekends but needed to work this weekend. I find much joy packing on the miles until I can’t do much more. I hope to be able to make a trip across the USA one day. You have been an inspiration to me and I love your videos.
ok you convinced me, I'm on my way out on my bike. I'll watch the end of your video when I'll be back!
Enjoy your ride!!
I'm Hmong and I'm from The Twin cities area and I'm Diabetic and Disabled and Live on ssi and I commute By Bicycle 🚲 and I agree about High gas Prices They're absolutely Ridiculous , It's way Cheaper To Get around By Bicycle and it Gives You The same Mobility as a car But The Parking is even Better it's free You don't Have To pay an expensive parking ramp fee or a parking meter . The Bicycle is The Best Vehicle For everyone in My opinion Because it Helps you More Than a Car and it's Healthier and Cheaper Too .
Mostly agree with you there Ryan. I live in a small island of a country and riding my bike, I was surprised to find a short trail by the shore line which led to a cool campsite. I wouldn't have found it if I hadn't been exploring on my bike and this awesome corner is where I now go to decompress and video my attempts at bushcrafting or just to enjoy my cuppa coffee by the campfire. And it's also because of channels like yours which have inspired me to start my own. Ride on!
Very cool! I hope you find more awesome trails in your area
100% agree with you!
I ditched my car to ride a bike on a daily basis! Yes, with two kids and groceries.
That's great!! Happy trails
Yup! I sold my car a few weeks ago and bought a bike. It’s been wonderful!
Congrats!!
I recently converted to an E-Bike. I love it so much for commuting. I used to commute between Colorado Springs and Denver for three years. It caused me to hate my vehicles. Now, I use it for my commute after transferring to Colorado Springs. Truly a liberating feeling.
Way to go!!
It's like 1973 all over again. That was the year a couple of guys rode their bikes all the way across the state. They worked for the Des Moines Register and they wrote stories all about it.
And the greatest bike event in the world was born!! #RAGBRAI
Actually I was delivering those newspapers (by bicycle).
@@duzer -- The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa!! 👍👏
@@duzer would love to ride to Ragbrai as well as do the ride sometime. But it is a long way from N Idaho
@@duzer The ride I think would be interesting is a Midwest loop. Adveture cycling USA has several routes where they run cycling tours. One of them is the Lewis and Clark trail that follows the Missouri river upstream from Saint Louis. Part of that ride is on the Katy trail. Another, is the great rivers trail that follows the Mississippi. Since I live in central Missouri I think it would be an interesting trip to ride the Lewis and Clark trail to the starting point for RAGBRAI, do RAGBRAI, the come home on the Great Rivers trail and Lewis and Clark trails.
I already see way more adults on bikes in my area, and that’s really saying something. I constantly have people assuming I lost my license because they see me on my bike so much.
Same! People sometimes assume I'm homeless too 😂
O hey, people think I got a dui
haha, yep! Funny how people get suspicious when you don't drive a car.
Hahahaha yes the old drunk driver lost his license thing.
@@Scor-ah Well, TBH I usually look pretty bum-like anyway.
I love bike commuting! I bike commute 10 miles a day and it's the perfect way to relax your brain after work. Love your videos! Greetings from Sweden!
Heja Sverige!!!
Speaking of finding stuff beside the road, one day while on a ride, I saw money laying in the grass, I stopped to pick it up and soon found it wasn’t just a few $$ by the time I finished picking up all the bills I had close to $1700 bucks. After some back and forth on what to do my conscience told me to turn it in, which I did. The next day I got a call from the detective I turned to money over to, seems an individual had filled a police report saying he accidentally left an envelope with close to $2000 on the roof of his car and drove away, $$ for for a down payment on a car. So it felt good doing the right thing.
oh wow!!! That's incredible...and I bet that person was SO HAPPY that you turned it in. Did they at least give you enough of a reward to buy a burrito? :)
Oops, I think you forgot to check both ways before blowing through the stop sign at 5:08. 😉
We have the safety stop in Colorado now, and it is glorious. We can treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs.
I actually love biking and I am going to try to bike more going forward. I prefer MTB but I don't mind pavement. I am actually getting a 2022 trek roscoe 8 soon so I am super excited. You should do MTB video Ryan!
MTB is so fun! I have a handful of MTB videos on my channel;
Best video on the Intrawebs!
Hey I just grabbed a $60 bike a mile from my house! I was going to drive to pick it up and I was like wtf... I walked there, got the bike, rode home... and.... now I'm debating riding 10 miles a day to work and letting my car sit. Now I found you! Thanks!
Everything your saying is so true. I use to commute on my bike to work everyday and I had so much money at the end of each month. Unfortunately I had some accidents on my bike and electric scooter suffering a head injury and multiple back problems and I had to buy a car. I am less healthier now with more bills and it’s kind of hard. I’m more stressed than ever before. I really miss biking but hopefully I can get back on it soon.
oh no! I hope that you can get back to it soon.
Yup. Cycling saves vehicle miles for me because I don’t drive on days when I cycle. We live on a West Texas farm so have to use fuel burners. But until I can’t ride anymore, cycling as a hobby and for fitness/head clearing takes up enough time to cut my vehicle miles way down. Just wish there weren’t so many dogs!!! Keep it ip brother!
Dogs can indeed be scary!
yes dogs are a big problem in some areas
Commuting to work by bike is life changing. Body mind and soul. Looking forward to every morning and not needing to do much exercise other than getting to work. Makes meals feel like a reward instead of a guilt trip! A shower before a ride will keep you less smelly along with a quick bird bath, deodorant, and dry clothes making you feel like a million bucks for your work day. Quick 5 minute naps will feel like having a cup of coffee when you get back at it.
Love the video and the message. People need to understand this more!
Thank you so much for this, 100% summarizes all the thoughts I've had in the past year when I stopped driving my car and started biking everywhere I go. Especially your point about being happy all the time. People always ask me why I'm so happy all the time and I've always said it's because of my bike. Such a happier way to live life. Thank you again!
Happy Riders Unite!!
What I DO want to see, are more roadways that are safer for cyclists. I’m sick of being in roads with no shoulders, or minimal 1ft wide areas.
I’d absoloutly love to see the day of dedicated “roadways”/small highways meant for cyclists to travel the country. A damn dream!
Agree. Not all of us can just ride a bike LOL
I'm sick of cyclists not stopping at stop signs. Follow the rules.
@@clvrswine agree I am a cyclist and I hate it when a few make us look bad. single file and follow all the laws. Now I am 90 % dirt and love it
@@clvrswine NO! and I DON'T pay any taxes.
@@clvrswine And he does that at 5:02 when he's talking about finding a hammer.
Another great video Ryan and words to live by for sure.
Thanks for the video. Makes a lot of sense. Healthier AND Cheaper!
A bicycle is the only vehicle that overhauls its own engine.
Greatest invention of all time!
I'm trying to go by bike as much as possible. I would love to ditch the car and use my Trek 920 for everything, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be long before it was stolen here in the Chicago area. With that said, I want to get one of those cargo bikes now. Man grocery shopping would be so much easier than trying to fill up panniers :) Though, I just googled cuz I forgot the word cargo for a second & I see a foldable trailer for the bike, which wouldn't be so bad. Get that & a used beater bike to use for shopping. Dangit Duzer, I'm on to something...Gotta go! Ride easy my friend!
If you spend some money on a quality lock(or two of them) you have a basically impenetrable bike lock.
@@Jack-sq6xb oh, I have spent a few hundred on only the best, but in Chicago that still scares me :)
@@Jack-sq6xb Just sucks that locks weigh so damn much. I just spent $7k on a titanium pinion bike, and the thought of it getting stolen freaks me out, but it’s never out of my sight.
In Netherlands (Bike paradise) people use bikes for transportation often as nowhere in the world. Its single speed city bikes, in general, that costs nothing. But they often scratch new paint to make them look "poor", not attractive to be thiefed and re-saled, and left them outdoor at night. I heard stories about morons, who cracked all bike equip (cut cables, tires, saddle... ) after useles atrempt to brake expensive lock.
@@dazzershell I need to actually do this, but with the pandemic and the price of gas, getting a decent junker to tool around on isn't an easy feat. I could probably work a little harder and get something. I think I just might do that this week. Cheers!
Another great video! I found this on LA Metro's website a while back. "LA Metro, annual cost to own
2. It’s a money-saver: Bicyclists in the U.S. save “ at least $4.6 billion a year by riding instead of driving .” It costs an average of just $308 per year to maintain a bike. Compare that to the average $8,220 that drivers spend each year to travel by car and you’re looking at a pay raise!" An inexpensive hybrid (even new) a pannier rack and a set of bags can get a lot done!
I go everywhere by bicycle. I love to ride my bike now I’m not mechanically inclined so anytime I have a problem. I always take my bike to the bike shop but that’s OK. Yes it cost a little bit more money but bikes are so cheap to maintain especially compared to a car. It’s no big deal, I just love it. It’s my favorite way to travel.
Well said!