Bicycle Commute Savings Calculator

Compare the cost of cycling to work with driving and public transport.

🚲

Bicycle Commute Savings Calculator

Enter your commute distance, running costs and cycling costs.

Annual saving vs driving
β€”
Enter values above
Annual saving vs public transport
β€”
Miles cycled per year
β€”
Car running cost avoided
β€”
COβ‚‚ avoided (kg)
β€”
Cost per mile cycled
β€”

Worked example

With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:

InputValue
One-way commute distance (miles)5
Commuting days per year230
Car running cost ($/mile)0.67
Public transport cost per day ($)6
Cycling costs per year ($)150
ResultValue
Annual saving vs driving$1,391
Annual saving vs public transport$1,230
Miles cycled per year2,300
Car running cost avoided$1,541
COβ‚‚ avoided (kg)929.2
Cost per mile cycled$0.07

Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.

How to use the Bicycle Commute Savings Calculator

  1. One-way commute distance (miles) β€” default 5
  2. Commuting days per year β€” default 230
  3. Car running cost ($/mile) β€” default 0.67
  4. Public transport cost per day ($) β€” default 6
  5. Cycling costs per year ($) β€” default 150
  6. Press Calculate to update the results instantly.

Frequently asked questions

Use the IRS standard mileage rate (67 cents a mile in recent years) if you want an all-in figure including fuel, wear, insurance and depreciation. Fuel alone is nearer 12–15 cents a mile.
The saving is largest when you genuinely avoid car journeys rather than replace a trip you would have walked. On a five-mile commute, five days a week, the numbers add up quickly.
Yes β€” add the bike, servicing, tyres, lights and clothing to the cycling cost field. It is usually a few hundred dollars a year and easily covered by the fuel saving.

Sources & references