Biking

Every weekday morning, I wake up, make breakfast, and bike to school. It's one of my most enjoyable routines. In this post, I'll explain why biking has been a highlight of my semester, and I'll also try to convince you that it's worth living close enough to work or school that you can bike.

The ride is pleasant. I live about 20 minutes from campus. Conveniently, a network of low-traffic residential roads and paved trails extends almost the whole way there. As luck would have it, this route also consists only of gradual uphill or downhill stretches with the exception of one short climb that allows me to feel like I'm actually getting real cardio. The cool January air invigorates my mind on the way to school and clears it on the way back. Though sometimes patches of ice lie in my way, it's nothing my mountain bike can't handle, as long as I'm not reckless. Often I wave to the broad demographic of other Golden residents who share my enjoyment of exercising outdoors. If I'm paying attention, sometimes I'll see birds flitting among the bushes, looking for a patch of sunlight.

My morning bike rides also make me feel present. Most of us have heard at some point that exercise is good for mental health. I haven't formally researched this, but anecdotally, it seems to be true. In a car, I watch the trees sliding by on the other side of the glass. I must be content to play the role of an observer. But when my legs are pumping the pedals in the highest gear, sending me flying over the bumps in the concrete, the wind rushing against my face, that's when I can be part of the world. Humans are meant to experience, not to simply behold, and biking is a great way to habitualize that.

The merits of biking, however, are not confined to the soul. I save $25/month on gas money alone, not counting trips to places besides school. I reduce my greenhouse gas emissions. I save 40 minutes a day by parallelizing exercise and commuting. (And besides, it's not like I would be disciplined enough to go to the gym daily if I didn't bike.)

The few problems a bike commute does impose are easily handled. The danger is mitigated by living in a place where I can mostly take residential roads and trails, by choosing to use the sidewalk for the brief unavoidable stretch of major road, and by making a habit of wearing my helmet. The cold is overcome by purchasing high-quality winter gloves and packing a pair of sweat pants in my backpack. The extra 10 minutes compared to a car commute are a small inconvenience with sufficient time management, and parking is so much easier that I probably get most of that time back.

So, what do I gain from biking instead of driving? I'm happier and more in shape. When lunchtime rolls around, I find myself hungrier than usual, in the most delightful way. I don't have to refuel my car or change its oil. (In fact, I don't own a car at all.) In short, I reap large mental, physical, and financial benefits by making small compromises. If any of my readers live close to work or school and are able-bodied enough to ride a bike, I'd highly recommend it over a car.