The breakeven point on my solar panels for my house is about 5 years, which made it a tough decision. Breakeven point on a decent commuter bike looks like less than 2 years. At current gas prices...and the 10 lbs I need to lose, this sounds like a no brainer.
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.
I watched an interesting video from accountant on what a car actually costs factoring in all the costs (depreciation, maintenance, insurance, etc.) Gas is just a small portion, other factors will be a much bigger overall cost. Nobody thinks about stuff other than gas for the most part, but all in it might cost you $2.00 per mile or more to use a car. That video was from well before the current prices. When you think of it that way, using PEVs is a no brainer for tasks it works on. I use my ebike for all local stuff I can, and scooter or unicycle to get to the train station to go downtown. I drive way less than I used to and think about it on any trip. Going somewhere parking sucks? Park somewhere else relatively close and PEV a couple miles to your destination (the unicycle is great for this).
I found my TI-83 Plus! But I didn't need it to know that I save so much money just by riding my eBike to the store. I never drive to stores anymore. My eBike can handle the weight of a rice, beans, fruits and vegetables. And I feel better, physically and mentally, when riding around town. I used to spend over $300 a month just in gas driving in traffic and driving to market. Save some money and ride your bike.
Bicycles, ebikes, electric cargo bicycles, robo taxis and escooters are great options for last mile, short distance travel. Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles by providing SAFE, PROTECTED BIKE LANES and trails. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Bicycles are healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. Electric bicycles are bringing many older adults back to cycling. Ride to work, ride to school, ride for health or ride for fun. Children should be able to ride a bicycle to school without having to dodge cars and trucks. Separated and protected bike lanes are required. It will also make the roads safer for automobile drivers. Transportation planners and elected officials need to encourage people to walk, bike and take public transportation. Healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. In the future cities will be redesigned for people not cars. Crazy big parking lots will be transformed.
I want to do this, but my commute is nearly 60 miles round trip. Even with the gas prices being this high, it is more cost effective to keep my very old car than to sell my home and live closer to my job. The houses cost way more the closer to work I live. Hopeful for Sondors to finish making the Metacycle.
What is your commute mileage? How many miles? You can get groceries delivered now! You need to factor in ebike maintenance, tubes,...etc. Insurance costs, monthly payments...etc.