Cycling is great for the environment, your health, and the pocket book, though, a year on my bike has brought some unexpected economic and social benefits.

1. Biking Alleviates Poverty and Benefits the Local Economy
According to stats Canada, the average Alberta household spends over $900/month ($10 800/year) on their vehicles. For some, that means choosing between owning a car or buying food. Providing alternative forms of transportation can lesson the burden on lower income households while putting extra money back into the pockets of everyone else. What do I do with all of that extra cash? Well, I spend it on other things.

2. Hate Potholes, Traffic, or Finding Parking Spaces? Ride a Bike
Bikes are far less destructive to road surfaces than their motorized counterparts. In the end, each ride on a bike saves the city money. When you consider the fact that cycling takes up less road and parking spaces, shouldn’t [Read more…]