I’ve done some disturbing math regarding my driving to work. The days that I ride my bike, or ride and take the shuttle, I save around $13.
It costs $13 to drive to work.
Here’s the breakdown:
- According to the IRS: “For 2006, the standard mileage rate is 44.5 cents a mile.” This considers more than just the cost of gas.
- My total round trip drive/ride is ~25 miles. ($.445 x 25 = $11.12)
- My monthly parking fee at PCC comes to $.22/day ($6.50/30)
- If I park at PSU, I average ~ $2/day
Total: $13.30
That’s like 3 pints plus tips.
…I love it, beer currency :)
I think there’s a flaw in the parking permit calculation. How many days do you work per month? 20-25 at the most, right? Now, what about me, with a 176 day year, even though I have to pay for a 12-month permit? It gets confusing . . . I think I’ll have a beer.
lucky me and 10 mile round-trip commute !! ;)
Wouldn’t wanna ride it on a bike though … hills and turns and narrow as all get-out!
I think the calculations are slightly flawed. In essence your car loses value even if you aren’t driving it. Sure you don’t put on the miles, but time depreciates car values. Plus, if you are paying for a monthly parking permit anyway, you are losing that money not matter what. So you have to pay it or ride the bike daily or else it is a wash on price.
I’m sure we could come up with a more accurate formula, but what’s the point. There’s a good article in the latest US News and World report on global warming. Like it or not, change is coming. One interesting tidbit- There is enough carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in the atmosphere right now that, even if the entire world had zero emissions for the next year, the temperature will still go up 1 degree (and thats a conservative estimate).
I hate feeling guilty every day. That’s the plight of America and health care for that matter. It’s so easy to not do anything, and just as easy to worry about the problems until you have an ulcer.
I live in Corvallis, and almost ALWAYS commute to work, about 4 miles from here. On bike, I ENJOY the commute, given that the winds and rain are gentle or non-existent.
In PDX, you guys are blessed with the most excellent bikepath/bikelane system I’ve ever seen. Just gotta watch out for idiots in automobiles, like anywhere.
Moral of your story: Bike or shuttle to work. Get one pint and still have some money left over.