These three Toronto cyclists tell us how much they save by biking in the city

Cycling has long been touted as an amazing way to get around. Not only is it a great way to get in a workout and do your part for the environment, but it’s also a great budget hack that can save you money each month.

Why then, if cycling is so great, don't more people do it? Perhaps it’s Toronto's unpredictable weather, or it's cycling infrastructure that leaves much to be desired. Plus, the sad reality is, not a week goes by where you don’t hear about a traffic accident involving a cyclist.

So with all this in mind, I decided to talk to a few Toronto cyclists about their experiences biking around the city. How much do they save doing it? Is it worth it?

Juan, 32
Video Game Artist

How long have you been biking in the city, and do you always bike to/from work? What about when you do errands, go to social events, etc.?

I've been biking in the city for about 3-4 years, and I'd say about 80% of the year I'm biking to work. Depending how close the social event is I will bike, and biking to go out at night usually depends on the weather! But errands like groceries I'll go in any weather.

Tell me about your commute.

I commute from the Distillery District to King and Duncan, and it usually takes around 10-14 mins depending on lights. Taking the TTC would take a little longer because of the wait for the streetcar, although the King streetcar in the morning is pretty reliable. Walking would take about 40 minutes.

On my ride I take the Richmond and Adelaide bike lanes. I’ve experimented with a few other routes (Martin Goodman Trail (MGT), Front St), but taking Richmond and Adelaide end up being the quickest route to and from work.

When you aren’t biking, what other mode(s) of transportation do you take?

If I’m not biking, I will usually take the TTC or walk. I don't own a car.

How much money (if any) do you think you save yourself by biking?

Not exactly sure how much I save, though I know if I don't take the TTC for a day, I save about $7.

What are the downsides to biking everywhere? What is the worst/craziest thing that’s ever happened to you while biking in the city?

Toronto is still a fairly new city when it comes to biking infrastructure, and therefore can be a bit dangerous. For example, the MGT is too narrow, and usually people will meander into the bike lanes. The Richmond and Adelaide lanes are also very prone to cars parking in them or suddenly turning right across a lane.

The scariest thing was probably getting doored while biking on King St. It was quite busy, and it was at night. It happened quite fast and I fell into the middle of the road. Luckily I had a lot of gear on because it was during the winter, and I was even luckier that a car didn't run into me. My Vietnamese food did spill in my bag, though, which was really the most tragic part of the situation.

Verdict: is it worth it to bike in the city?

I think it will always be worth it to bike. You save money and help the environment! Not to mention that you get a quick workout in at the beginning and at the end of the day, which is a nice stress reliever.

Elaine, 28
Administrative Assistant

How long have you been biking in the city, and do you always bike to/from work? What about when you do errands, go to social events, etc.?

I’ve been biking in Toronto for just over one year, and I take a break during the winter months. Right now, I bike to work about about three days a week. I also bike to my local swimming pool, run groups, to grab food quickly on the weekends and I like to do at least one long bike ride every two weeks.

Tell me about your commute.

I bike from the Humber Bay area to Yonge and Bloor, and I take Bloor most of the way there. It’s an 11 kilometre ride, which takes around 40-45 minutes. It would take around the same amount of time for me to take transit.

For about 7 kilometres of my commute there are designated bike lanes. I try to always take the same route but in the summer months there is a lot of construction so I have to take detours every now and then.

When you aren’t biking, what other modes of transportation do you take?

I’ll take a bus to the subway line and then the subway to my office.

How much money (if any) do you think you save yourself by biking?

I haven’t been biking everyday this summer so I think I save roughly $75 per month on transportation. However, my office doesn’t have showers so I have had to join a gym in the building which is $33.50+tax per month, just to use their changing rooms and showers.

So realistically, I’m only saving $37 a month. In my old job last summer, there were showers available in the building and I was biking every day during the summer and saving about $120 per month.

What are the downsides to biking everywhere? What is the worst/craziest thing that’s ever happened to you while biking in the city?

The downside for me right now is definitely not having shower facilities in my office. During the summer it’s just too hot and humid to bike to work and not shower before starting. I have to leave my house early enough so that I have time to shower once I arrive at the gym in my office building. I biked last summer because it saved me time compared to taking the streetcar. This summer I’m on a subway line and I find biking takes me more time.

Another downside for a lot of people is bike theft. I’m lucky we have a bike room at work, but most people have to lock up their bikes outside with the constant worry that it may not be there in the evening for their ride home.

Also, last summer I was knocked down on my way home from work one day. I was cycling downhill beside a line of traffic and the oncoming traffic couldn't see me. A pick-up went to cross the traffic and turn into a parking garage, I tried to brake as hard as I could but ended up hitting the bed of his truck. I was lucky, all I have is a small scar on my left hand and my bike was fine but I have another cyclist friend who was knocked down on her way to work 3 years ago and is still dealing with injuries and insurance claims.

Verdict: is it worth it to bike in the city?

On beautiful days when you have an easy cycle with no head wind, without a car driving too close to you or a pedestrian stepping out in front of you without looking — yes, it’s totally worth it. You’re up and active before you’ve even really begun your day and you arrive at work fully awake without any grogginess.

Unfortunately, you will have days when someone almost doors you, or a car honks at you to get out of their way, or you hit one of the many Toronto potholes.

No commute is perfect, and I’d say it’s definitely better than being squeezed into an overcrowded subway car with no AC!

Vin, 34
Account Manager

How long have you been biking in the city, and do you always bike to/from work? What about when you do errands, go to social events, etc.?

I’ve been biking in the city for nine years, though I only bike when it’s nice out! I probably bike at most, six months a year, and usually at least three days a week. It’s not often that I’ll bike when I do errands or other things like that.

Tell me about your commute.

I bike from the west end (Oakwood Village) to work at midtown (Davisville), and it takes approximately 30 minutes. It would take slightly longer — about 45 minutes — to take the TTC, and could take anywhere from 25-45 minutes to drive, depending on traffic.

I always take the same route, though it doesn’t really have designated bike lanes. It does include a multi-purpose path, though.

When you aren’t biking, what other modes of transportation do you take?

I’ll either take the TTC or I’ll drive, it just depends on what I have going on.

How much money (if any) do you think you save yourself by biking?

I think I save about $120/month compared to transiting everyday, and approximately $60/month compared to driving everyday.

What are the downsides to biking everywhere? What is the worst/craziest thing that’s ever happened to you while biking in the city?

A downside to biking in the city is definitely the unpredictable weather, as well as having to change into work clothes when I get into the office. Luckily, nothing too crazy has happened to me while biking in Toronto.

Verdict: is it worth it to bike in the city?

It’s 100% worth it. My bike commute is consistently one of the best parts of my days.