There is one big reason why I have never owned a Car even though I can drive, COST!
Now don't get me wrong, cars are great but for most trips I just don't get it. I just don't get why you would want to move a 1 1/2 ton of metal just to transport yourself surely that must cost a fortune and according to the RACQ it does! Even the smallest car cost on average 40c per km to run going up to 80c plus for the desire of many Australians the Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore. All I could think was that is way to much, but begs the question what does my bike cost per km to run.
First off one off costs
Bike = $1000
Mudguards = $50
Chainguard = $30
Pannier Rack = $40
Total = $ 1120
divided by a min life of 5 years
yearly Cost $224
Yearly Costs
Heavy Service = $180
Tire = $60
Brake pads = $30
lights = $60
Total = $330
Now on average in my commutes alone I cover around 5000kms so I will use that as the Base line!
($224 + $330) / 5000kms
= 11c per km.
Now that is a big difference in cost and this is not including the extra ks that I cover doing short little trips. I would also like to point out this figure does not include locks and a few other small items as these were written off on the cost of bikes I had before.
Now comparing cost per km is not really fair you also need to compare cost per week and this is where there is truly some big differences. This one knocks me for six! It ranges for those two previous car examples from $117 to $220 a week. My weekly cost of my bike is $10.65 and that is it.
Now naturally this can range a little depending on the bike and the kms you do but unless you are changing you bike yearly and doing very low mileage traveling by bike is extremely cost efficient.
No wonder I don't own a Car it costs a fortune and I leave you with the picture that I had at the top as it says everything. Ouch
