I was recently asked a question: “what is something in your day-to-day life that brings you joy?” The answer came to me instantly: my commute. I’m sure this answer will have some people scratching their heads. The commute isn’t exactly most people’s favourite part of the day. So what’s my secret?

I bike to work.

Often when I talk to people about my commute, they dismiss it as something that they just couldn’t do themselves. And to that, I often reply that it’s not for everyone. But that isn’t really how I feel. I think that biking to work is something that many more people could be doing, and should at least try a few times. In fact, I believe that if more people gave it a shot, a significant number of them would keep it up. This is not just based on my own experience; there’s extensive research that shows that bike commuters are the happiest class of commuters. With spring upon us and bike to work day here, I want to encourage just that.

When it comes to biking, I have a cheesy little mantra: good for the planet, good for my wallet, good for me. Maybe you think this requires no explanation, or maybe you think it doesn’t apply to you. Whatever the case, let me take a few minutes to explain how you, too, can reap the rewards of the timeless invention that is the bicycle.

Good for Me

The health benefits of cycling are probably more obvious than any other. There’s no debate that engaging in some cardio day-to-day provides physical benefits that a car commute just doesn’t. And while fitting a workout into the day is something that many full-time workers struggle with, commuting by bicycle accomplishes this without the commuter having to carve a chunk of time out of their schedule for a dedicated exercise routine. This has the added perk of the work commute not feeling like a waste of time, as it famously does for many.

Not only does it feel like a valuable use of my time, or maybe in part because it does, I always arrive to work in an great mood. Heading home on my bike after a tough day is similarly a great stress buster. This twice-daily dose of sunshine, fresh air, and exercise is no doubt a boon to my mental health. There’s nothing so refreshing in my daily routine except, maybe, my first cup of coffee.

Good for My Wallet

With the rise in cost of living and, more recently, gas prices, this is another no-brainer in opting for a bike commute. According to statistics Canada, car ownership is the third largest household expense, averaging a whopping $1,373 per month.

Conversely, maintaining a bicycle costs no more than a few hundred a year even if you use it daily. As someone who doesn’t drive at all, the financial burden of car ownership is something that I do not envy. But even if you don’t want to get rid of your car altogether, opting for a bike commute even sometimes can save you money on gas, maintenance, repairs, and parking.

Good for the Planet

Another issue on the minds of many these days is climate change. Many people feel that they have no power to make a difference, but living car-free is one of the single most impactful things any individual can do to lower their contribution to climate change. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing; don’t want to bike in the rain or snow? You don’t have to! Every trip where you choose your car over your bike makes a difference.

And if you think you’re exempt because you drive an EV, I have news for you. While fuel emissions are the most obvious way that cars pollute, a significant portion of microplastics in our environment are shed by car tires.

Good for…All of Us

More people opting for a bike commute can benefit us not only individually, but collectively too. Fewer cars on the road makes our streets safer, our air cleaner, and our citizens in better health. It also gives us a chance to be a little more connected within our communities.

For all these reasons and more, I want to encourage others to consider commuting by bicycle, or at least give it a shot. Who knows? It might just change your life.