Save money

It costs a typical Twin Cities commuter about $1,300 in operating expenses per year just driving to work ¹. Driving 15,000 total miles per year costs nearly $3,700 in operating expenses. And this does not include parking expenses or ownership costs like depreciation, insurance, financing, licensing, registration or taxes ².

By reducing your driving miles a few times a month, you can afford a quality bicycle complete with maintenance checks and commuter-friendly gear with the money saved.

Save on parking by bringing your bicycle into your workplace or storing it in a locker. For $4 per month, you can rent secure, weatherproof bicycle lockers at dozens of locations throughout the Twin Cities. Read more about Metro Transit lockers here.

Stay fit

Let's have a minute's silence for all those Americans who are currently sitting in traffic on the way to the gym to ride a stationary bicycle.
— Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Lack of physical activity is a top contributor to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other serious diseases that decrease quality of life and/or reduce lifespan. Bicycling to your destination provides low-impact exercise as you travel. You choose your pace and you can continue to ride at any age.

You don't need to schedule extra time for workouts and you can save the expense of health club membership – your commute is your workout. Your employer may even provide incentives for bicycle commuting – ask at work.

Save time

In the Twin Cities, more than 41 percent of the trips are less than three miles, and 28 percent are less than two miles³. A bicycle is often the fastest way to take these “door-to-door” trips.

For longer trips, combining a bicycle and bus or a bicycle and train can provide time-saving options. All Metro Transit buses and trains have free racks where you can store your bicycle. Bicycling for part of the trip can eliminate the need for transfers or allow you to reach a bus stop or train station faster than by walking. You can ride a bus or train one-way and ride your bicycle the other.

Reduce your impact

An average Twin Cities passenger vehicle is responsible for producing tons of emissions each year, with negative impacts on air quality and global climate change. Because bicycle travel is emission-free, every automobile trip you can replace reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. As an example, for every mile you pedal instead of drive you save about a pound of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas⁴.

Enjoy yourself

Nothing compares with the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
— attributed to President John F. Kennedy

You've heard that “you never forget how to ride a bicycle” – the enjoyment comes back readily. The freedom of bicycling is a unique experience and the neighborly pace allows you to develop a new relationship with the areas you travel through. Bicycling is also an activity that is well suited to social enjoyment – it’s easy to ride and chat.