I Challenged Myself to Bike to Work Every Day for 1 Year

I have an 18 km roundtrip commute to work every day. Up until now I’ve been using my 1994 Volvo station wagon, which of course runs on gasoline. But the underlying guilt for contributing to climate change, and the curiosity to try something new, led me to take on a challenge. I decided that for one year I would bike to work every day - come snow or rain - and see how that would affect my life.This is the result.
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[@siriusesmind]

I have an 8.5 km commute one way, that used to take me with public transport up to 1 h sometimes even more because it took me trough city center, when I started cycling to work it was max 30 minutes it was stress free and I have bike lanes all the way from A to B, not to mention the health, fitness benefits and wight loss I'm expiriencing. I'm never going back 😅

[@nicdesjardins]

I love this - very inspiring! I've been without vehicle my whole life. I bike in the spring, summer, fall and walk in the winter. This is a good kick in the butt to get a little more geared up and start biking in the winter instead of falling back to walking.

[@tetraultp]

Did you make the leap? It's really easier than it looks ;)

[@43sunray]

I have no car or motorcycle. I cycled to work since 1980s and felt off if I didn't cycle for 2 days.

[@9AndreaTotolo5]

This video made me want to bike everyday, to have kids with my girlfriend, to slow down my life in general, to breathe fresh air. I loved it, thank you for this.❣ Greetings from Italy!

[@campfire-stories]

What a wonderful comment! I was so happy to read that. Best of luck!

[@char5477]

I've been biking to work since the late 1980s. It's the BEST part of my workday!!

[@kitchencarvings4621]

One thing that I never see included in the cost savings of biking to work and for errands is the savings on medical bills in the future. You are going to be much healthier and with less chance of getting major diseases that cost a lot to manage. It's not a guarantee but there's a good chance you will save hundreds of thousands of dollars long term.

[@campfire-stories]

You're absolutely right! Although, living in a country with free healthcare, those savings are hidden from view a bit. But nonetheless incredibly important!

[@nathanholland3235]

@@campfire-stories we will continue to cry in American :)

[@gabrielserrano5054]

America is bad but a bike ride can help burn calories from the American junk food diet. America has bad roads especially for bikes so make sure check the roads before doing it.

[@kitchencarvings4621]

@@gabrielserrano5054 That's true, although things are improving in some cities. We need most roads to have dedicated, separate bike lanes, which must be connected. Drivers here also need to be trained to think of bikes as a mode of transportation with the same rights as other vehicles. I look forward to the day when there are more bikes on the roads than cars.

[@perrycoffey5410]

​@@gabrielserrano5054I'm an American and I'm skinny as hell and i want too cycle but are infrastructure is complete dog shit

[@paolocruz8392]

I love videos like these how they share their stories of how they found cycling to be a part of their everyday life where they once thought of it that it would not work out. I love this.

[@Ladadadada]

Like many of the other commenters, I ride to work, but the difference is that I'm in a big city so I switched from public transport rather than a car. The differences between my experience and yours: 1. No time lost. The ride plus shower takes almost exactly the same time as the old trip. Driving would have been much slower than cycling is. 2. Not as much beneficial impact on the environment because I was already not causing much impact. 3. I avoid annoying crowds and the sickness that comes from them. 4. I probably save more money, because I think my public transport is more expensive than your gasoline. (Not 100% sure on that though, old Volvo and all.) Things that were the same: 1. I love the gentle exercise and fresh(ish) air in the mornings. 2. I did learn to always take wet and cold weather gear with me.

[@galactikeur]

You were brave to try! Especially in a (I suppose) rural area where infrastructure can be less ideal. But cycling around is a pleasure indeed

[@Redbird4912]

Born in 1957, UK, I got rid of my car in 2011 and I don't miss it at all. I now cycle, walk and public transport everywhere. Since 2013 I got into cycle touring and wild camping and have travelled through most of England. You can live without a car, it's not difficult. I, too often, hear "Oh, but I need my car, I couldn't survive without it" Fossil fuel is a finite resource that will run out in the, not to distant, future. This age will be known as the "Oil Age" and future generations will look back and say "they wasted a precious resource and for what?".

[@campfire-stories]

I couldn't agree with you more!

[@thanneriksson4240]

Fantastic, very inspiring, and great film making by capturing and presenting the challenges in an optimistic and positive way, and in the end translate them into everyday benefits, simultaneously promoting more sustainable transport means. Great job!

[@TwiinStar1224]

I'm a road cyclist but I also bike in to work every day. It's about a 6km commute that is largely uphill (90m elevation gain). It's faster and cheaper than transit. It's also WAY cheaper than a car would be plus my office has no parking anyways and a car would at best be 5 mins faster (and best case would be few and far between with traffic). It helps keep me in shape and wakes me up in the morning. Just like you I listen to podcasts on my ride in. In my opinion, people with less than a 10km ride who live in highly populated areas (I live in Toronto, Canada for reference) should be commuting by bike as it overall is just better.

[@Redbird4912]

Unfortunately, most people are lazy and take the path of least resistance throughout their whole lives and the car is a great symbol of this attitude. Hopefully, videos like this can help inspire more than a few to take the leap and start cycling.

[@jayziac]

Last couple of years I also started commuting with my (regular &) e-bike more, and I've reached the same conclusion, sometimes doing things with our body, taking a bit more time, is the key to enjoying life. Not to mention the health benefits of cycling and being outdoors.

[@Redbird4912]

You should start cycle touring. It's a great way to see a country. Start local and see how it goes.

[@markswjg]

Amazing stuff, hoping to bring this attitude to the UK!

[@campfire-stories]

💚

[@1969Rake]

I wish we had access to those bikes at those prices here in Canada! Awesome vid, thank you very much!

[@biking-and-hiking]

Ya, that's like a 10k bike here. Insane.

[@JulianSummerhayes1967]

Super impressed Mattias. And a wonderful film. Thanks for sharing my friend.

[@joeh773]

now this was supercool, i gotta try it too :) thanks for sharing and making it beautiful.

[@Phalaenopsisify]

Bra gjort! Och så är du som förälder en god förebild dessutom.

[@campfire-stories]

Tack. Ja, gör mitt bästa :)

[@gem3132]

My N California bike commute is 13 kms (8 miles) round trip, M - F. 20 minutes each trip. Fyxation Third Ward 3-speed Dutch bike w 2 baskets. My 2005 Toyota Corolla CE only awakes on weekends if at all.

[@ivocosta7281]

Thank you. Just what i needed to start my daily commute to work using cycle. You inspired me to start my journey!

[@campfire-stories]

I'm so happy to hear this!

[@murugnimai]

Great inspiration 🎉🎉

[@WayneSmith-zx3tf]

I considered this while is was still working, the only problem is I'm approximately 18 miles (28 kilometers) from where I was working. I was also working a physically high output job so I had to figure that into it as well. Now I'm retired and don't care anymore.

[@commander993]

I loved this! Thank you for sharing!

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you!

[@bassflowers3837]

Har själv aldrig ägt en bil... men har sedan i höstas också en lådcykel för att transportera barnen med. Helt underbart! Upplever samma fördelar som dig. Skulle dock aldrig vilja ha musik/podcasts/andras tankar i mina öron...

[@campfire-stories]

💚

[@rodriguezmathieu57]

this story is very inspiring!!

[@campfire-stories]

💚

[@son-of-a-champ35]

front lights of car has wipers?? haha thats so cool - never seen a car with those 6:29

[@campfire-stories]

Very Volvo early 90's. :)

Kul, imponerande och inspirerande!

[@campfire-stories]

Tack!

[@youngcardinal551]

This is what it's all about. Beautiful video!

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you!

[@timjandesign2914]

Så roligt och inspirerande Mattias! Jag blir sugen på att dra fram min cykel nu och börja cykla till jobbet. Trots att det typ är uppförsbacke hela vägen hem i en mil! Haha!

[@tullstedts]

Perfekt, rätt håll att ha uppförsbacke :) Hem måste man ju. Om man inte har sovsäck på jobbet...

[@campfire-stories]

💚

[@MyLifeInTheDesert]

I want that bike! Beautiful video ❤. I am going to try this where I live in Nevada, 37 km round trip. And I’m going to go all of October to see how it goes. I also have a pedal assist e-bike 😊

[@campfire-stories]

Go for it! I'm cheering for you!

[@arvinl]

❤ your box bike + story. I’ve bike commute spring/summer/fall past 2 years. keep up the good work & role model for your family & community. How does your cycle handle on snow?

[@campfire-stories]

It handles fine but I've become a little lazy. Prefer to take the bus when it's too snowy, rainy or windy :)

[@SimpleLifeInHyrule]

Beautiful Story

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you so much!

[@wannaakpan1489]

Beautifully ❤

[@mandymeaden619]

That's beautiful!

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you Mandy!

[@domdimensions9219]

Great video! I'm thinking about commuting by bike for a few months to save more money. Plus all the health benefits are great too. But if you plan to travel a long distance, having a car is definatly nice. Otherwise you have to take the bus, or perhaps borrow a car from somebody.

[@campfire-stories]

I know. I borrow my wife's car sometimes. Or rent a car when I need to do a longer trip. But for the day to day stuff I just use the bike or take the bus.

[@gabrielserrano5054]

Good job you just need bicycle winter clothes and shoe covers to protect from wet weather. Nice to join a gym or carry body wash cloths before you go to work.

[@amineamine-zh1xk]

great video may Allah guide you and bless you i started working with a bike as well every day amine from morroco

[@kristofferhellstrom3895]

Grymt kämpat!

[@campfire-stories]

Tackar!

[@Nofearr01]

Loved the vid,still,dont understand why/how it have only 7k views. Its great,short film.

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you so much!

[@MattMahon84]

Wonderful :-)

[@aimreadings]

Great video! Where can I find that front cargo area for the bicycles? I love that and it's perfect for my cat when needed! Please I would really appreciate help on finding this item 🙏🙏🙏

[@campfire-stories]

If you have a bike shop near where you live I'm sure they can guide you. Good luck!

[@brigittelafleur6167]

Wow, inspirant, bravo!

[@jonathan8157]

It also saves a lot on the family budget to give up a car.

[@campfire-stories]

True. It helps a lot!

[@campfire-stories]

Thank you 💚

[@EyeCycled]

Well done mate. Thought of giving up my car a few times as well, but I'm a pussy.

[@campfire-stories]

Pussies are awesome! They can create life! So I'm pretty sure you're awesome too, and can do anything you set your mind to :)

[@saramos1496]

​@@campfire-storieswhat a hilarious response haha

[@onebicycle3772]

May I ask what is your bike? What brand? Thanks alot

[@campfire-stories]

It's called Orion Premium. I don't think they make that exact model anymore, but there are many similar ones on the market. Good luck!

[@onebicycle3772]

@@campfire-stories thank you

[@jonathan8157]

Please go ahead and look at cargo bikes that are made in Copenhagen - Denmark like Nihola or Christiana. Good luck!

[@hamidbhaya6969]

Friends what about comuting in 47 or 49 temperature any tip for smooth biking and covering distance about 8k.m in summer season , how could be fun in hot areas...please like pakistan and india

[@campfire-stories]

Ouch! That sounds like torture. I don't envy you to have to deal with those kinds of temperatures. Sounds better to stay in the shade and drink yoghurt than to be out biking ...

[@bibr2393]

There's still the same amount of carbon dioxide because someone else is using your old car ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Swapping a car for a bike is a great idea. However I think that taking it as far as getting rid of a car is a bit too much. Hopefully not many, but there might be some emergencies where it's crucial to get from A to B. It's sustainable as long as everything what you need is within that hour away from home. I hope that you take a good care of your bike, as distance can really quickly add up when used daily.

[@campfire-stories]

I'm cheating a little because my wife has a car that I use when I really need to. But for all day to day usages it's nice to just bike. Plus it's a great relief for my economy. The bike is super cheap to maintain.

[@FlauntyToaster]

What are you talking about? yes its a gas car but youve kept a 30 year old car on the road well past it's life expantancy.

[@campfire-stories]

Is that good or bad?

[@FlauntyToaster]

@@campfire-stories GOOD

[@chrism5433]

Hvad fanden mand. Jeg korer på arbejde i gummi støvler skål du 🍺 🍺🍺

[@campfire-stories]

Skål på dig!

[@chrism5433]

Sommer tid ud og køre 🍺🍺, næsten 😊