With the 103rd Tour de France approaching, some may feel inspired to begin a cycling routine of their own. You may not be experienced enough to bike for nearly 2,200 miles, but no matter what level of training you have, cycling has many benefits, including saving you a great deal of money over time. While driving or taking public transportation may get you to your destination faster, they can become another unwanted expense. We found five ways that simply riding a bike to and from work can save you money:
- Gas: Fuel for your car can cost as much as $2.33 a gallon and adds up quickly when commuting to and from work almost every day. Riding a bike is completely free and cuts down how much you spend annually on gas.
- Auto Insurance: One of the financial responsibilities of owning a vehicle is paying auto insurance every month. Insurance can be very costly, sometimes costing you up to $2,500 a year. Instead of spending money on a new car and paying for high insurance rates, give driving a break to ride a bike instead and pad your pockets in a significant way.
- Fitness & Health: While you may ride your bike as a mode of transportation, you’re also giving yourself a great workout. Instead of paying for gym memberships, cycling is a free way to tone up and lose weight.Staying in shape not only helps you look better, it often means fewer trips to the doctor, which can also be a hefty expense.
- Parking: Paying for parking can be extremely pricey, especially if you work in the city. Even with monthly employment parking rates, you can still spend over $100 a month. It’s much easier to find parking for your bike, plus you never have to pay for it.
- Commuter Fare: The prices of public transportation are constantly rising, so opting to ride your bike instead can save you a ton of money. Instead of paying sometimes over $100 a month on a transportation pass, riding a bike lets you avoid needing a pass altogether. Some companies even reimburse employees who commute to work with their bikes. You can receive up to $20 a month (or $240 a year) for every month you ride your bike.
Knowing all these money-saving benefits that come with cycling, you may want to get started right away. Here are a few deals to kick off your new cycling routine:
- Sports Authority- 3% Cash Back
- Al's Sports- 9% Cash Back
- Big Shot Bikes- 5% off any order, plus 3% Cash Back
- Commuter Bike Store- 5% Cash Back
- Modell's- 6% Cash Back
- Public Bikes- 5% Cash Back
- Performance Bike- 3% Cash Back
- Tree Fort Bikes- 5% Cash Back
- Walmart- 4% Cash Back
- L.L. Bean- 6% Cash back
- Nike- 10.3% Cash Back
- Champion- 6% Cash Back