Estimate bike commuting cost.
Cycling is not free, but its cost structure is unusual: almost all of it is fixed. The bike depreciates over its life whether you ride it or not, and maintenance is largely driven by mileage but at a very low rate. Spreading the annualised purchase price plus consumables over the miles actually ridden gives a cost per mile that falls steeply the more you commute — a 900 dollar bike over five years costs 180 a year in depreciation, which is 12 cents a mile at 1,500 miles and under 5 cents at 3,000. That is the real argument for cycling economics: the marginal mile is close to free, so the answer improves the more you use it.
Bike Commute Cost
Annual miles = one-way x 2 x days per month x 12; annual cost = purchase price / life years + maintenance; cost per mile = annual cost / annual miles
Typically 5-15 cents a mile once depreciation and consumables are included — roughly a tenth of the all-in cost of driving the same distance.
Tyres every 2,000-3,000 miles, a chain every 2,000, brake pads a couple of times a year in wet climates, and one service annually. Around 150-250 a year for a daily commuter.