Lately, we have been walking and cycling as much as we can.
This is for many reasons, but the main reason is because we aren’t towing a vehicle behind our RV. Without a car, we have been “forced” to take advantage of the many benefits of walking and cycling.
We have saved money by not having a car with us and we are feeling healthier. Plus, doing everything mostly by walking or cycling has been quite rewarding.
I understand that for many driving a car everywhere may make it more convenient, but in some cases it may also just be a habit that a person is used to.
Getting out and walking to where you want to go may be exactly what you need if you want to save more money, be more active, feel refreshed, and so on.
Below are some of the many financial benefits of walking and/or cycling more.
Save money on transportation.
One of the great benefits of walking and/or cycling is that you may be able to save money on transportation.
If you are able to walk and/or bike everywhere that you need to be, you may be able to completely shave off car insurance, gas, automobile maintenance, and other expenses completely out of your budget.
Considering that the average family spends over $10,000 annually on car-related expenses, that is a lot of money you may be able to save!
However, not everyone is ready to completely get rid of all of their vehicles. I understand, that’s a bigger change than most want to make. Plus, your car is probably helpful in many occasions, such as getting you to work.
In that case, even walking or biking to some of the places you need to be can still help you save money on gas. You can also save money as you will have to do maintenance less often on your car as well.
Related: Save Money And Become A One Car Family
Lower your medical bills.
Health issues and medical bills are something that many have to face. However, one of the benefits of walking and biking more is that you may be able to improve your health and hopefully prevent certain medical problems which may arise in the future.
This is one of the big benefits of walking and cycling more – you will be more healthy!
Increase your productivity.
I used to often skip out on walking, cycling, and working out, in general, because I would justify to myself that the time could be better used on something else (such as working, cleaning, etc.).
That’s just not true, though!
Working out can help you go to work refreshed, which may help you be more productive as well as increase your creativity.
I’ve noticed that the more active I am, the more I am able to get done. While it may seem like it would be the opposite, I definitely recommend you try it.
Related: How I’m a Work-Life Balancing Master
Receive a reward from your employer.
This is one of the relatively newer benefits of walking and being active.
More and more employers are rewarding their employees for being active. Some companies offer cash bonuses, lower health insurance premiums, and more all for being active.
How often do you walk or bike? What other benefits of walking and cycling are there?
Erick Brunet says
Thank you for sharing. It’s very interesting. Hope to hear more from you.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
How often do you walk places?
Amy @ DebtGal says
I walk as much as I can, especially now that I have a Fitbit. 🙂 I would just add to your healthy point, that it’s great for both physical AND mental health – especially if you’re doing it outside. Walking really helps calm and clear my head, and being out in nature really refreshes and feeds my soul. (Except maybe in the dead of winter!)
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, great point to add!
Penny @ She Picks Up Pennies says
I run-jog-walk most every day. I have to get it all in before the winter forces me to pursue indoor exercising. Sadly, cycling to work isn’t in the cards for me – stupid suburbia 😉 . But I’m all for walking or biking whenever possible. It’s amazing how much it clears my mind. And that whole ounce of prevention business doesn’t hurt either.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome!
Kristi @ Femme Frugality says
Living in a rural area with two kids still in car seats makes walking or biking pretty much impossible for daily tasks. We are within walking distance of both the park and the library, so we do take advantage of being able to walk to those locations. Everything else requires a car…it’s an hour drive to the nearest mall or movie theater for example!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Walking to the park and library is still great 🙂
Esteban says
When I used to live in London I always walked. I never or rarely took public transport. Unfortunately I can’t really do the same here in Luxembourg as it would take me forever to get from a-b.
Love How I can relate to everything I read here.
Makes me feel like I’m just a few months way from making a good income online 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Reelika @Financially Wise On Heels says
We are one car family by choice. Not that I wouldn’t want to have a car, but cars are not assets, but rather expenses. I take my son to preschool by foot every single morning and pick him up like that too. It takes about 10 minutes to walk one way, so all together I can “exercise” 40 minutes per day 😀
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Nice!
Andy H says
I didn’t even realize how much I save by walking/biking places. I’ll actively think about the cost/time balance of various forms of transportation before I go somewhere. If I can walk there in under 20 minutes or so, I’ll do that. Sometimes a nice walk home can be refreshing instead of cab fare and then you can save $20 or so too. Do that multiple times over…
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I agree!
[email protected] says
We too are a family with two kids (ages 6 and 4). Both are bikers, hikers, and great walkers but unfortunately, the roads outside of our neighborhood are too narrow to bike on safely as an adult, let alone as a child. Fortunately, our town very much encourages walking and biking and is pursuing an expansion of roadways to make it a little more friendly. But, for the meantime, we walk our neighborhood and participate in walk to school activities! Unfortunately, we have to drive to the library to start the walks to school! How I would love it if we could bike and walk everywhere in town!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
That’s great that they are pursuing expansion. Hope they do that.
Beatrice says
We used to live in a very walkable city and had only one car that we used maybe once a week. Even with a baby it was doable, and when I had to go beyond walking distance I used public transportation when possible (even with a stroller it was very accesible in that city). Now we live in the opposite kind of city and I hate being a slave to my car. Other than a couple of ships, I can’t get anywhere walking. And having 2 kids in car seats, one of them with special needs who needs a stroller for long outings just makes it harder because the side walks are awful here, the PT is not accesible at all. I agree that walking is healthier in so many aspects, I really miss that lifestyle. And oh how I hate having to pay for two car insurances, maintenance, registration, gas, etc. It’s money down the drain.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I understand your situation – that definitely makes it much more difficult.
Stretch A Dime says
It’s amazing to see that you are able to live such a lifestyle. I need to wait till my kids get older. You inspired me to walk more and make it part of my daily routine. Thank you!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Welcome 🙂
Amy says
We walk a lot. Part of why we’re renting the house we are is because how easy it is to walk to the places that we go to. We don’t bike at all as it’s not safe here to do so. The city is working on making the roadways safer to bicycles so eventually we make start to bike. We are a one car family presently and have for a very long time. A few days ago my husband & I decided that we will get rid of our van before we have to register it again next July and use the extra money to pay off our student loans faster.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Sounds like a great idea!
Jason B says
I try to run/jog 2-3 times per week. I also walk around my neighborhood a couple times a week as well.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Good job!
Sarah Noelle @ The Yachtless says
I am so on board with this. I do have a subway pass because some places are too far to walk, but I walk to work every day (2.5 miles) and usually home again too, plus other walking to do errands. I feel really grateful that I live in a city where I don’t have to have a car — I know I’ve saved tons of money.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome Sarah!
Fervent Finance says
My main mode of transportation is my feet since I moved to Manhattan and sold my car. I walk to the gym, I walk to work, I walk to my errands, etc. When I need to go somewhere a little further I walk to the train or subway station. Walking is great, and I like how it gives me time to unwind on my walk home from work even though the walk is only 12 minutes.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Great job!
Jaime says
In the mid-west transportation and shopping places are further apart, and our bus system isn’t always on time. I don’t like to drive (love the freedom but not the act of driving itself), so basically I do as much as I can online (banking, online bill payments, direct deposit, making appointments, etc.) and I also use Amazon for deliveries.
Doing both has helped me cut down on the need to drive everywhere. I spend less on gas, it’s great! I kind of wonder if America will ever make walk-able cities in the future? I agree with you on working out. Nothing compares to a workout, not even coffee (and I do love my lattes!). =)
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome!
Valerie @ Geaux Momma says
A driend of mine sold her car and took up riding the bus. She made money off of the sale of her car and all of it’s maintenance issues and saved a bundel taking the bus. Additionally she lost 10 lbs (not that she needed to).
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome!
giulia says
I wanted to use bike more often in the morning but autumn arrives with rainy days so I used more car but bike is good, gym for free and would be a good idea is also in Italy companyes/bosses offer bonus for who use bike….however I am going to use bike at least once per week or bus and have a day off from car for 3 months!!!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Sounds great!
Chris @ Flipping a Dollar says
Not enough! I’ll ride my bike to the blue mail box if I only have one 0package to deliver on the weekend, but we do try to walk a few times a week to get the kids out and about.
It’s awesome that you guys don’t have the car with you. Riding bikes is a great way to save money even though it takes a bit longer. Totally worth it!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Steve Miller says
I got into cycling 2 years ago and have logged 2,851 since I started. It is a great way to commute and exercise.
Steve Miller says
(2,851 miles that is)
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Wow great job!
Chonce says
I really need to walk more or at least bike in the summer. I have to sit all day at work and commute to work and I’m not a fan of that at all. I agree with all of the benefits you mentioned about walking/cycling especially the medial benefits. I try to walk or run most days when I get home just to stay active and healthy. It only takes 20 minutes or so and can do wonders for your health.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, 20 minutes a day can change your life!
Francis says
In your post about how you paid off your $38000 loan, you put up some very sensisble advice about how one can save/earn more by making a few lifestyle adjustments. Well I believe you should add cycling to the list as a possible option too. When I was a student in college, I always used to bike to school (and anywhere else I needed to go to) and most definitely saves upwards of $150+ per month by doing so.