Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Your hourly "wage" from commuting?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Your hourly "wage" from commuting?

Old 02-25-07, 08:27 AM
  #1  
Former grouch, now happy
Thread Starter
 
H1449-6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Austin
Posts: 988
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Your hourly "wage" from commuting?

If you look at the cost savings from not driving to work, you could consider that in effect a "wage" you pay yourself for bike commuting.

What's yours?

Your "wage" would be calculated as follows: if you own a car and just use it less, at the per-mile cost of avoided travel. You'd do a whole lot better, obviously, if you could get rid of your car altogether, but the calculation is the same.

a) Cost per mile = (annual vehicle ownership cost, which is either the annual sum of your car payments net of residual value at the end of the year or the depreciation on the vehicle in the case of a cash purchase + annual fuel cost + annual cost of maintenance + annual cost of insurance + annual cost of tags, ad valorum taxes, etc) / annual mileage. In my case, it's about $1,500 in depreciation + (900 gals * 2.25 per gal) + $400 + 700 + 300 = $4,925 / 9,000 miles driven = ~ $0.55/mile.

My commute is about 13 miles each way. 26 miles/day * 5 days/week * 50 weeks/year (2 for vacation) * $0.55/mile = ~ $3,550.

It takes me an hour each way, including shower, to cover that distance, which is 10 hours a week or 500 hours a year. So my "wage" per hour of commuting is about $7.

The above ignores the effects of the overall reduction in vehicle use on overall costs. Some categories would stay the same and therefore increase on a per-mile basis (e.g. tags/taxes) while others would go down (e.g. insurance, maintenance).
__________________
Spectrum Ti Super | Landshark Roadshark | Serotta Colorado | Gunnar Crosshairs | Trek 9800 | Santana fillet brazed tandem | K2 Easy Roller | Dawes (BD) Bullseye 1x1
H1449-6 is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 08:39 AM
  #2  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 31
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Personally I also take into account the money/time I'm not spending at the gym. Of course, most of us also spend more on food as a result of our commute also, but personally that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make
coneill is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 08:41 AM
  #3  
Life is short Ride hard
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: In the middle of nowhere
Posts: 1,114

Bikes: not enough

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
interesting
ryanparrish is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 09:23 AM
  #4  
Trans-Urban Velocommando
 
ax0n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lenexa, KS
Posts: 2,400

Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
60 miles per day, but I'm multi-modal and my company subsidizes the bus system by paying for all but $15 of my monthly pass. They also pay for part of parking if you choose to drive, but you end up paying $50 a month for a spot that would cost you $75-$90 otherwise. That's a savings of an additional $35 a month or $420/year. I'm saving 8,670 annually, which, when you count the bus ride, is 3 hours per day.

That's more than $11 per hour in my pocket while I'm on the road to and from work. While that's a pittance compared to what I make driving my desk for a living, money's money and I'd be lying if I didn't say I already did the numbers and it's one of the main motivators behind why I keep doing this.
ax0n is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 09:26 AM
  #5  
Former grouch, now happy
Thread Starter
 
H1449-6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Austin
Posts: 988
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by coneill
Personally I also take into account the money/time I'm not spending at the gym. Of course, most of us also spend more on food as a result of our commute also, but personally that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make
Good point. Of course, in the category of increased costs, you have the cost of the bike, accessories, clothing, bike maintenance if you don't roll your own, tires, tubes etc.

And finally, in the category of other benefits, you might not die so young. But OTOH, you might get killed by a car.
__________________
Spectrum Ti Super | Landshark Roadshark | Serotta Colorado | Gunnar Crosshairs | Trek 9800 | Santana fillet brazed tandem | K2 Easy Roller | Dawes (BD) Bullseye 1x1
H1449-6 is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 09:39 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I blow all my savings on more cycling stuff. This would in effect be a very difficult calculation for me to make. Heck, I commute so I can spend more money on cycling items. Ex: One of my pedals self destructed last Friday. Cost of replacement: $120 + labor (my existing pedals need assistance being removed today).
DataJunkie is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 10:15 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
filtersweep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Money has nothing to do with why I commute. My coworkers cannot understand me either. On one hand, I am a car guy. I love cool cars... what can I say. But in a perfect world, I would be one of those guys who hoards collector cars, but never drives them. It drives my wife nuts. I didn't want to drive anywhere today because I just washed the car yesterday.

Anyway--- I look at my savings as health savings. I wish I lived further from work so I could get a better workout, but generally in the summer I will take "the long way home" to get more exercise.

I spend more money on clothing, bikes, parts, tires, extra food, etc.... than I save in car related costs.
filtersweep is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 10:26 AM
  #8  
Calamari to go
 
cc_rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 3,113

Bikes: Trek 750

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You leave out an important cost consideration, especially people who are self employed.
For me, driving to work take 10 minutes or less (by highway) while the bike takes me about 40 minutes. The 30 minute difference, plus anothe 15 to change at work, time 2 is about 90 minutes extra a day. Since I bill my time at $120 per hour, that could be $180 a day that I can't invoice or collect.
Of course I can't bill out evey minute of my time, and money doesn't always rule. When I can commute by bike I do, just for the exercise.
cc_rider is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 12:40 PM
  #9  
put our Heads Together
 
cerewa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155

Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Since I bill my time at $120 per hour, that could be $180 a day that I can't invoice or collect.
That calculation is right on if your cycle commuting is not a replacement for time spent doing another form of exercise, and if your health care costs (or the length of your working career) isn't adversely affected by failing to bike to work.
cerewa is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 01:02 PM
  #10  
Commuter First
 
newbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,286
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I don't consider bike commuting a wage I pay myself. The most direct cost savings would be the $3.40 each day I spend on the T on days I don't bike or the ~$120 per month for parking (but I am highly unlikely to ever commute by car in Boston). I bike commute partially because it keeps me fit, but mostly because it is fun!!

Someone somewhere costed out all the financial pluses and minuses of bike commuting. If it keeps you from owning a car or an additional car, there is a big savings. If not, bike commuting is very close to a wash.
newbojeff is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 02:55 PM
  #11  
Enjoy
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Seattle metro
Posts: 6,165

Bikes: Trek 5200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Well the OP brings up a point that commuting has hidden costs such as gear and repairs. It's good to evaluate its relative worth. That said, I'm not sure you can put a dollar value on improved health as a result of steady commuting.
vrkelley is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 04:13 PM
  #12  
Asleep at the bars
 
sfrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
Posts: 1,743
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 234 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 135 Posts
I think it's almost impossible to estimate the savings. How much does heart disease and being overweight from allowing yourself to waste away in a car cost you in the long run? Loss of income due to more illness/shortened working life? Lack of energy? General well-being? Being fat and inattractive vs fit and attractive? About being outside feeling the wind in your face and interacting directly with reality rather than sitting in a box observing it through a window? (I'm sure that's not good for a human mind, IMO over time it makes you fat, lazy and stupid!) Impossible to put a price tag on. And honestly, even if I didn't save anything monetarily over driving a car I'd still be on a bicycle or mc.
sfrider is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 07:18 PM
  #13  
DNPAIMFB
 
pinkrobe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cowtown, AB
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
$5500/250 hours of commuting = $22/hr. Apparently I need to ride faster if I want a raise.
pinkrobe is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 08:25 PM
  #14  
J3L 2404
 
gbcb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 1,075

Bikes: 2007 Jamis Nova

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If I didn't ride or walk, my alternative would be a taxi with a one-way fare of US$1.50 -- meaning $3.00 a day, $15 a week, or $750 for the year, assuming two weeks of holidays.
gbcb is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 10:03 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 82
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The time it takes me to ride rather than bike is only 15 min to and from work. I save on gas. Probably a gallon of gas each day I ride. 7.5 miles of city hills with SUV. I commute for the exersize but it sure is nice to only fill the tank once a month. I save $2.50 x 4 (15 min) = $10 per hour for the few extra min. it takes to ride. The best part is I get two workouts each day and don't spend much time at it. Plus it's fun.
The
Benton is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 10:03 PM
  #16  
ADMlN
 
aprilia4life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sydney, Down Unda!
Posts: 255

Bikes: Trek 1500

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
$35 a week, train fare.

I figured I would have to travel 15,000km's to pay back the cost of my bike ($2000)
aprilia4life is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 10:06 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 82
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The cost of the vehicle payments, taxes and insurance are fixed. I save on gas and and wear and tear on the vehicle. My short hilly commute is hard on the car and each time I ride it give the car another day before the next part fails or wears out.
Benton
Benton is offline  
Old 02-25-07, 11:32 PM
  #18  
DNPAIMFB
 
pinkrobe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cowtown, AB
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Am I the only one who has to pay for parking?
pinkrobe is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 08:10 AM
  #19  
Former grouch, now happy
Thread Starter
 
H1449-6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Austin
Posts: 988
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pinkrobe
Am I the only one who has to pay for parking?
My company provides parking. We've also got a little workout room with showers for the bike commuters (and I can't think of a single one but me).
__________________
Spectrum Ti Super | Landshark Roadshark | Serotta Colorado | Gunnar Crosshairs | Trek 9800 | Santana fillet brazed tandem | K2 Easy Roller | Dawes (BD) Bullseye 1x1
H1449-6 is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 10:16 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
CliftonGK1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
I don't consider needing a wage calculated in the elaborate way described above an incentive for my commute. I have figured out the overall cost savings in gas and maintenance on my car, though. I bike commute for health, for fun, and for the cost savings of not commuting in an inefficient SUV.
I have a Jeep Cherokee (slightly modified for snow and trails) so I get about 14 - 15mpg city driving.

15 mile r/t commute = 1 gal/day
Average gas price $2.50/gal
260 workdays/year
$2.50 x 260 = $650 in gas

15 x 260 = 3900 extra miles, so tack on $30 for another oil/filter change. $20 more for things like bulbs, fuses, wiper blades... and I'm up over $700 in savings just on my commute to work.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 10:32 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
thdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,242
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm quite skeptical on any cost savings, since I still need a car. Also, since I don't drive it often and it's there, my kids take it to school. School is fewer miles, so I might save 10 miles or 1/2 gallon or $1.20/day (maybe $120/yr.)

I think the good thing is that I'm pushed off or reduced the need for car #3, and that's saving me real money, given that I have a 17, 16, and 14 yr old (who needs to be driven countless places).

I don't know if we'd have already gotten one if I always drove, but I do know that we're not even looking or considering it now. Friends in similar situations have that third car.
thdave is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 10:42 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 4,063
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by DataJunkie
I blow all my savings on more cycling stuff.
+1

Where do I factor that in?
ghettocruiser is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 10:44 AM
  #23  
Third World Layabout
 
crtreedude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Costa Rica
Posts: 3,136

Bikes: Cannondale F900 and Tandem

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 32 Times in 22 Posts
I figure my cycling habit is going to cost me in the long run. After all, I most likely will live an active life for many more years.
crtreedude is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 11:35 AM
  #24  
Dog is my copilot.
 
GGDub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 802

Bikes: Lemond Maillot Jaune, Specialized Stumpjumper, Kona Jake the Snake, Single-Speed Rigid Rocky Mtn Equipe, Soon-to-be fixed Bianchi Brava

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Mine's a buck o' nine, because that's what freedom costs.
GGDub is offline  
Old 02-26-07, 11:46 AM
  #25  
Designated Drinker
 
Wulfheir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Calgary
Posts: 800

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
$16/hr
Wulfheir is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.