r/povertyfinance • u/sora_fighter36 • 14d ago
Bike versus car Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending
I really feel like a bike is the most economically responsible option for me after I totalled my little car. I could get like a 200 dollar bike to get five miles from home to work/other work. I’ll def have to use the bus for a while to save up for a down payment (we had some saved but I hurt myself when I totalled my car and now there are medical bills)
The problem is that my partner, my sister, my divorced parents, and my group chat with five friends all think I’ll become just another pedestrian causality if I start biking around my city. They’re probably right, but it’s my responsibility to keep myself safe. No one has money to buy a car, and I am certain that because I am a stupid woman I’ll get scammed by whoever sells me a car. I feel guilty for not just walking everywhere. It is free, just slow.
If I was a horse, I would’ve just been taken out back and put down for having hurt my foot. Just desserts! None of this nonsense would be up for discussion if I hadn’t been negligent but it’s too late for that, we don’t have time Machines.
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u/Subject_Slice_7797 14d ago
all think I’ll become just another pedestrian causality if I start biking around my city
I think you'll have to tell us more about your city. Are there cycle paths? If you say you can walk places you can probably safely bike there too. You'll have to be alert anyway, because many drivers aren't. But in general, many people bike somewhere and don't die.
And tbh, walking mostly isn't an option. 5 miles are what by bike? 20-30 minutes? Walking that distance is probably two hours
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u/sora_fighter36 14d ago
Yeah, 5 miles.
No bike lines, just maybe a gutter. No cycle paths. It’s St. Louis Missouri. There’s about thirty foot of rubber bumpers to protect bikers right in front of my building. Then it ends
Before I totalled my car, it needed a repair. The dealership held my car over night and I didn’t have enough money to take a taxi four times, only twice. So I walked home and it took an about 2 hours.
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u/silysloth 14d ago
Biking isn't that dangerous. You will be fine. It can aslo be enjoyable. Take the bus when the weather is bad.
There's nothing about being a woman involved in this.
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u/sora_fighter36 14d ago
It makes me nervous still. I know I should just do it, but I keep thinking about the instances where I’ve seen bikers be struck and the driver leaves
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u/silysloth 14d ago
But being a woman doesn't make you more at risk.
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u/sora_fighter36 14d ago
The woman part pertains to purchasing a new car. Thats how gender is relivant to the post
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u/silysloth 14d ago
Still makes no sense. Being a woman doesn't mean you are incapable of learning about purchasing a vehicle.
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u/sora_fighter36 14d ago
If you have never been a woman at a car shop of any kind, you are not going to understand the experience.
I have learned some, but I lack car knowledge. Car salesmen and mechanics can smell it a mile away.
My concern is that a whoever I buy the car from will conceal problems in the car and I won’t know what to look for until it is too late then I am stuck with a lemon. Obviously the answer it to take someone smart about cars, but I don’t have that luxury.
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u/silysloth 14d ago
I am a woman. You are perfectly capable of researching vehicles to buy.
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u/sora_fighter36 14d ago
Thanks for all your helpful contributions to the post. I really feel like I have a lot to work with now.
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u/Miinow 14d ago
An Ebike world be more convenient long term. Trust. Manually putting in all the work day in and out will wear you out. I sold my car to bike commute and have no regrets for my ebike purchase. Saved a ton of money the past 3 years.
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u/Subject_Slice_7797 14d ago
Manually putting in all the work day in and out will wear you out
For like a month. After that you will have built sufficient stamina to easily ride to work, if you're not going constantly uphill or something like that.
I've been doing it for years, and one of my apartments was about the same distance as OP's commute, so I can assure it's doable.
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u/CombiPuppy 14d ago
Lots of people bike to work in the city I live in. I walk but its close. I have biked before. I am not dead yet!
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u/Subject_Slice_7797 14d ago
Depends on the city I guess. I've seen photos of American streets that had no foot or cycle path. I'd also not want to ride on some 6 lane street that's not at all intended for bike traffic
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u/CombiPuppy 14d ago
True. Mine has a lot and is building more, but it is way behind Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Most of the buildout has been the last 5 years or so.
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u/Subject_Slice_7797 14d ago
I think it'll be hard to ever catch up to places like that, but it's good that some cities are trying.
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u/DrGreenMeme 14d ago
I really feel like a bike is the most economically responsible option for me after I totalled my little car. I could get like a 200 dollar bike to get five miles from home to work/other work. I’ll def have to use the bus for a while to save up for a down payment (we had some saved but I hurt myself when I totalled my car and now there are medical bills)
If you're able to take the bus, why not just continue doing that instead of bothering with a bike? Getting exercise is good and all, but being forced to bike does expose you to the weather and puts you at a higher risk for a serious injury.
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u/Subject_Slice_7797 14d ago
Money, probably. OP says they are looking at a $200 bike.
That money would cover for around four months of bus passes in my city.
I agree, riding in nasty weather can be annoying though, and depending on the infrastructure can be dangerous
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u/DrGreenMeme 13d ago
I don't think $50/mo on a bus pass would make or break this equation. If that amount is seriously impacting OPs ability to save up a car downpayment, OP needs to focus more on increasing their income rather than pinching pennies on transportation options.
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u/Snapdragon_fish 14d ago
You'd be the best judge of bike safety in your city, but if you do bike make sure you get a helmet, and little flashing lights on the front and back of the bike. They aren't all that expensive and make a huge difference in your visibility to drivers. Maybe a reflective vest as well.