“Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live.” – Mark Twain
In celebration of National Bike Month and the upcoming National Bike to Work Week, I want to share a personal story. I experienced what could be likened to a “road to Damascus” moment—not just once, but twice in my life. The first occurred when I was around 13 years old. I was skateboarding to school one day when a sudden realization struck me. I became acutely aware of my fortune in being born a U.S. citizen, living in a time of peace, and having access to a good education. While I had always been an avid reader, I hadn’t been the most diligent student. That day transformed me into a diligent, engaged, and respectful student overnight.
The second flash of light from Heaven in my life came at a time when skateboards were long behind me. I had just moved to San Ramon, a serene community nestled about 35 miles east of San Francisco, and cut through by the Iron Horse Regional Trail. This trail, once a bustling Southern Pacific Railroad route from the 1890s until 1978, had been transformed. By 1986, the tracks were removed, and the Iron Horse Trail began to carve out a new identity along this historic corridor.
In 2009, the year I arrived in San Ramon, the trail not only connected my neighborhood directly to my workplace—the AT&T building at Bishop Ranch—but also presented a commuting revelation. Driving the 2 miles to the office involved a cumbersome U-shaped route along the frontage road of the 680 freeway, a journey of about 10 minutes. Then, navigating the expansive parking lot and walking to the office added another 10 minutes. In contrast, biking was a straight, efficient shot along the Iron Horse Trail, taking about 15 minutes. Thus, I bought a bike and began cycling to work. Truly, I cannot envision a better pathway than the Iron Horse Trail for someone reacquainting themselves with cycling after a 20-year hiatus.
This second transformative experience was less like a sudden bolt of lightning and more like the gentle, dappled sunlight peeking through morning haze. Over time, I grew to cherish the freshness of the air and the joy of bypassing traffic. Morning rides proved more revitalizing than coffee, dramatically improving my mood compared to the stress of navigating through traffic. I felt immensely fortunate for the opportunity to rejuvenate on the Iron Horse Trail. Though I now reside in Oakland, where biking is also excellent but less safe due to heavier traffic, I continue to cycle about 200 days a year. Living at an elevation of about 600 feet provides the perfect balance—downhill to town, and just enough of a climb on the way back home.
In addition to the health and emotional benefits of cycling, I’ve also realized significant economic advantages. As I reflect on the 15 years since my second “flash from Heaven” during Bike to Work Month, I decided to calculate these financial benefits:
- $2,735 – Cost of my Raleigh Tamland 2.0. It’s a fantastic bike—durable and versatile for almost any condition or terrain. At 10 years old, it bears the marks of ‘beausage charm’ but remains in superb condition.
- $5,574 – Total spent on cycling gear over 10 years. This was higher than expected; some items didn’t see as much use as others, indicating potential savings.
- ($12,000) – Saved by not maintaining a gym membership for 10 years, thanks to the natural fitness routine cycling provides.
- ($8,000) – Parking costs avoided by biking to work instead of driving, calculated at $4 a day for 200 days a year over 10 years.
- ($2,400) – Gas savings, assuming 200 days of biking per year, with an average of 10 miles per ride, vehicle mileage of 25 MPG, and gas prices averaging $3 per gallon.
Thus about $14,000 financial benefit over 10 years, before calculating health benefits. The ultimate benefit, better heart health, is truly priceless, but if I had to put a number on it, the savings could range anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 in potential medical costs. These figures highlight the profound economic impact of cycling, complementing its physical and psychological rewards.
