slvoid

I'm wondering how many people commute to actually save time on top of other things. Even against the subway, I still find that 80% of the time, I'm faster by bike getting to most places in the city.

Stubacca

It's not faster overall for me. I'm sure it would be against public transport, but given the lack of quality public transport alternatives in Denver that really isn't an option. My alternative to riding is driving the car. If I didn't bike, that would mean buying (plus insuring and maintaining) a second car.

My commute home often takes about the same time on the bike as in the car. In the morning, it takes at least twice the time (50 mins compared to 20-30). That being said, I don't have to do any other exercise on days I commute, so in essence it does save me time over going for a separate ride or the gym after driving to/from work..

Shroom

it takes me 4 minutes longer to get to work by bike than by car. i use the bike since 4 minutes isnt a big deal and im saving a whole bunch on gas

caloso

Commuting by bike is much faster than public transit.

Commuting by bike is slightly slower than the car. I'd maybe save 5 minutes a day by driving at the cost of thousands of dollars in parking fees and fuel annually.

It's an easy calculation.

[edited for clarity]

goatmeal

Well I don't have a license, so biking is much faster for me. I could take a bus, actually 2 buses which would take about an hour. I could get my wife to give me a ride, which not only would piss her off, but would get my to work in 30 min. Or I could ride my bike, which gives me exercise and gets me to work in 25-30 min depending on traffic and wind. Not really a difficult one to figure out here...

Phil

Seanholio

Biking takes me about the same amount of time to get to work. I ride the bike because my truck, which I have since sold, was getting abysmal gas mileage, and the bike was a more economical choice. So, I get to work in 40 minutes instead of 45, and I don't have to buy gas for the trip.

The only detractor is safe bike parking. There are bike lockers here, and I can fit my recumbent into them, but they fill up frequently, and talking to the Facilities department reminds me of mental patients screaming at the walls.

LittleBigMan

Well, I don't save time by bike, not on the surface of things. I take an hour, instead of 45 minutes by car.

But you know how it really is--time is money, and money is time. The money I save is worth far more than the 15 minutes I save, and the health benefits can't be bought. As for the high, that's only available on a bike at morning light.

pyze-guy

For me to take public transit, if I catch the bus is a 40min total trip. Biking is 20 min on average. Driving is about 12-15.

Chris L

I'm faster in the evenings. Possibly a little slower in the mornings, but not enough to make any significant difference.

Michel Gagnon

My commute, door to door is:

- 12 minutes by bike (incl. time to lock or unlock the bike);
- 15-25 minutes by bus (6 minutes in the bus, 8 walking, the rest waiting);
- 20 minutes by car (finding the parking spot takes the longest);
- 25-30 minutes on foot.

Cycling takes a bit longer in downpours (I have to dress accordingly) and car driving takes much longer in a snowstorm (deicing a car takes much more time than deicing a bike).

khuon

Here are some interesting statistics gathered by the Seattle Dept. of Transportation.

https://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transpor.../bikefacts.htm

• Time to drive from University District to Pike Place Market in light traffic: 15 minutes
  
• Driving time during rush hour: 35 minutes
  
• Cycling time, moderate pace: 30 minutes
  
• Time to park car: 5 - 25 minutes
  
• Time to park and lock bike: 1 minute

HereNT

I know I save time - tonight was great, I was cruising with a great tailwind and totally passing the cars and buses. It wasn't the kind of passing where they're all gridlocked or anything, either - they seemed to be moving at a normal pace, and I just flew by

You factor in the red lights that I go through when the cross traffic clears, and I probably cut the time it would take in a car in half - it was probably only about 12 min total.

iceratt

The true amount of time it takes to drive, should have the time cost of earning the money to drive figured into it. If I drove every day, I'd have to ask my boss to change me from 4 days per week to 4.5. With 4.75 more hours per week, added to the car commute, It would take me 55 minutes to drive. I bike to work in 25 minutes. Let's face it, I bike because I'm too lazy to work more.

Gonzo Bob

It takes me longer to commute on my bike, but I still save time. How you ask? 1 hour car commute + 2 hour training ride = 3 hours. 2 hour bike commute/training ride = 2 hours.

Hemlock

It takes me 5 to 10 minutes longer to get to work by bike. Then add the time to change/cool off plus getting up earlier to pack the bike (I have to do a bit more than just put lunch on the passenger seat of the car). Total added time is a bit under half an hour. I feel this is well worth saving the stress of rush hour, the gas money, and the wear on the car (stop and go in town is the worst kind of driving for me and the car). Toss the excercise in as a bonus.

dobber

Same here. Only problem is I find myself taking longer and longer detours. What was once a 1 hour ride (total both ways) often winds up being a 3 hour (1 going in, 2 going home) trek. And when I get home I'm feeling so good I'll wind up jumping on the Fixie for a 45 minute whirl around the park.

But then again, it beats sitting on the couch.

abc

Riding is quite a bit faster than public transport for me, but it's about the same speed as being in a car.

Driving would be about 1 minute faster, but that's only because I have to ride about 2km uphill before I get on the main roads. Once I'm there, I keep up with the traffic the rest of the way.

slvoid

From out the door to in the door, it takes me anywhere from 60-90 minutes to get to work if I take the subway and anywhere from 50-80 minutes to get home.
By bike, I can get to work in 45-50 minutes and get home in 55-65 minutes and it's consistent every time. Factor in 5 minutes to clean up and I actually end up saving time by bike plus I don't have to worry about being late because of things out of my control.
Driving seems to be the most erratic. Coworkers who live almost the same distance away report taking anywhere from 30-90 minutes to get to work. Ironically, people who live out in the suburbs take 60-90 minutes, seems to be about the same no matter what.

I do love getting a seat on the subway and being able to sleep my lazy ass all the way to and from work in a nice air conditioned train though.

PaulH

My work commute is actually slightly faster by car (as long as the weather is good) even after factoring in the time required to park in our private basement garage. However, parking is $6 per day there. Metro is vastly slower than either riding or driving.

Many of my shopping and restaurant trips fall into the "drive for 5 minutes, wait 15 for a parking spot" category. Bike is better -- no contest.

Paul

SchreiberBike

All but a bit of my commute is through rural areas. And by big city standards, the whole thing, including one stop light, is rural. When I drive, it's 8.5 miles in about 12 minutes. When I ride it's 10.2 miles in about 45 minutes.

So, saving time is not really a motivation, but I do get to ride my bike, and it's better for me and the world, and sometimes I can take long detours and get in extra miles.

prabbit

It takes me about 35 minutes to bike to work and 20 to drive to work. (I go against rush hour traffic. I live in the city and work in the suburbs.) There are some local errands to the store that are faster by bike.

slvoid

Wouldn't it be a better idea to find a new route where you ride with traffic?

lala

I agree. It is the same for me. It kills me when people drive to the gym to work out. WTF?!

alexatbike

Are you Married?

slvoid

I guess you don't really think these escalators are necessary either then do you!