I'm moving in 10 days to a place that is 3.5 miles from my job. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a bike so I can ride to work to excercise and save on gas. I don't really think I'd be saving much money on gas though, since it's only 7 miles round trip... that'd be about 90 cents a day savings on gas.

Anyone have any tips or recommendations for buying a bike on a budget? I've got some bicyclist friends at work that have thousands spent on bike gear. I guess I'm just ignorant, but I can't imagine that there is a world of difference between a $500 bike and a $1000 bike.

Usually if it's a bike shop that is honest, if you explain your situation and your needs they'll recommend a few different models, usually at different price points.

Another option is to look around craigslist and freecycle for ether bikes or garage sales that advertise bikes. While it's not as cool as buying one new, it gets you a bike.

Do it! Biking is so much fun, and is terrific exercise.

I bike to work about once a week. I'd do it more, but four days a week I've got kid-dropoff duty in the morning and I can't make that work with a bike. It's four miles one way from my house to my job, mostly on sidewalks among a major urban thoroughfare. I'm 37 and rather overweight, so if I can do it, anyone can!

As far as getting a bike, you'll pay much less secondhand, either from a private party or a bike shop that reconditions bikes. Getting a used bike from a shop probably means it'll be cleaned up and tuned up and good to go, whereas you might want to take a used bike from a private party in for these services.

Don't skimp on a helmet or lights. LED lights don't eat up batteries as much as incandescents do.

If you take stuff back and forth to work (paperwork, lunch, snacks) you'll probably want luggage, too--panniers, maybe, or a handlebar bag. I don't like messenger-style bags you strap across your back since I'm afraid they'll shift around as I ride. A backpack is a classic alternative. If you want stuff you strap to your bike, you can spend as much as you want on this stuff. The secondhand bike shops in my town generally have used bike luggage too. I have a great set of panniers that clip on and off a rear-wheel bike rack easily and essentially convert into briefcases. Nice!

Traveling by bike is way more engaging than driving in a car. You can actually see things and interact with people on the way, instead of just zooming by...It's great!

Let us know how it works out!

I ride my bike everywhere, and think it's a great thing for my lifestyle! I feel more in touch with the outside and it's just plain fun. But there are a few things to note.

1. You can certainly get a bike for under $100 secondhand. It is definitely worth it, in my opinion, to get a less-nice bike first, see if you like it, and then fix it up with new brakes, tires, etc. There's not too much difference between a crappy old bike and a new bike except the appearance.
2. Skirts and nice clothing WILL get dirty with bike grease and/or sweat in the summer. Investigate changing options.
3. Make sure there's a safe route for you to take to work. You'll have to learn which streets have aggressive drivers and/or room to maneuver. My city (Montreal) has some bike lanes, which are great, but I think that's a rarity.
4. Invest in a good lock!

Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've got an old bike I left at my parents place (cost about $250 originally). I think I'll get it tuned up and try it out for a little while and see if I like it & actually use it, then maybe invest in something nicer later.

Some cities (including Montréal's Éco Vélo initiative) have nonprofit organizations that hire disadvantaged youth to refurbish/upgrade used bikes. These are great for commuting, they don't cost an arm and a leg, and support a worthy cause.

There is indeed a huge difference between a $500 bike and a $5,000 bike, but you'd only notice it if you're a serious rider. For short daily commuting, you can get by just fine with a cheap hybrid. But if you're into taking long rides on the weekends it makes sense to get a good bike. I have a Trek 520 touring bike that is sturdy enough to handle rough urban roads but comfortable for the long 70-100-mile rides that we do on the weekends. Plus because it is designed for touring, it's incredibly stable under heavy loads. I use it for shopping at the farmer's market in the summer and it behaves beautifully when loaded down with a week's worth of groceries.

I would *love* to be able to bike to work. Alas, I live in a bike un-friendly area. I have a 9 mile commute (each way) and I doubt I'd last more than a few months before getting killed if I started riding. There are areas around here where we could live and I'd be able to bike to work. However, we have four kids, and school quality issues preclude that as an option for us (I'd have to factor in private school tuition x 4 when calculating the costs/benefits of biking -- unfortunately, I just can't afford it no matter how healthy/convenient it might be).

I've come really close, twice, to being able to walk to work. In a city as sprawling as Houston, that's pretty amazing. As it turns out, I didn't want to work for one of those companies after all and, apparently, the other didn't want me to work for them.

Perhaps when I make my big dream move to NYC I'll be able to bike to work.

I don't have to bike, walk, or drive to work: I just roll out of bed. I've been working at home since 1993 or so. It's great in many ways but can be very isolating, especially since all my colleagues and clients are in Washington DC and I'm in Montreal.

Even though I don't have to commute, I do actually bike to work, using what would normally be commuting time as exercise time. So nearly every morning in spring, summer, and fall, I ride my bike for an hour, leaving home at 7am and making a circuit that gets me back here at 8, just before city traffic starts getting heavy. It's a great way to start the day, although it can be harrowing...I have a few close calls every year and have learned to bike very cautiously and defensively. In winter I "row home" from work on my rowing machine.

I'm with Brad - I work from home, and exercise during the times I'd usually be commuting.

Riding a bike to work sounds like a great idea (you could even walk as it's only a short distance, but the time pressures may be a bit much).

I had a job where I could bike to work many days. A few things to watch out for...

1) If you need to carry a laptop back and forth, invest in a laptop backpack. Trying to do it with a traditional bag is asking for trouble. When you're going all out and the bag slips from your shoulder, you will get hurt. DAMHIKT.

2) You will get dirty. Doubly so if you get an unexpected rain.

3) You can wind up pretty sweaty if the weather is warm.

4) Security. You need a secure place to stow your bike while you're there.

5) Errands. You have to plan accordingly if you're used to running errands, etc on your lunch hour.

I'd love to work closely enough to bike to work again. It's a lot of fun if you prepare yourself.

Where do you live, Will? Some cities, such as Portland, have a great bike culture, and you can find lots of support and encouragement from local riders. Robblatt has a good idea: check craigslist for bikes. There's always a wealth of them to choose from.

I used to live in a small town in rural Oregon, 5.79 miles from my job. (Yes, exactly that distance.) For two summers I biked to work about half the time. It was awesome. Seriously. I've never felt better in my life. I rode about 1500 miles one summer, and lost 40 pounds.

The biggest hurdle psychological — actually getting out there and getting in the saddle. Once I'm on the bike, I love it. I don't know why it's such a big deal to actually do it. It's crazy.

My big thing lately is safety. I don't ride the bike nearly as much as I used to, but I'd like to start doing so more. (I think Brad's idea is one I could incorporate into my schedule when I start working from home.) I've been scared off by a couple of close shaves. Though Portland drivers are accustomed to bicyclists, that doesn't mean that everyone follows the rules of the road. Cars win in every collision, and I've had a couple of close shaves that make me nervous. The sun will be out in full force soon, though, and I'll forget all about these close calls for the joy of being on the road...

I'm in the Minneapolis area. I was talking to a bike-junkie at work, and he told me that from my new place I can make it to work exclusively using bike trails, and only having to pass through 1 intersection. Not bad!

This is timely for me. I am taking a bike repair class starting tonight with the goal of fixing up my own bike then getting and fixing up used bikes for my wife and son. I could bike to work now, and might start now that it's spring time. I'm looking at a job that's just 2 miles away, with a beautiful bike path most of the way there, and showers, locker room and bike racks at the office. Not sure if it will work out, but I love the idea.

To me one of the big factors is making it really easy to take that first step - getting on the bike.I the first step is lugging the bike up from the basement, it might not happen. But if I can find a way to just unlock the bike and go, I've got better chance of doing it.

Yeah, this is huge. 90% of biking to work (or any sort of exercise really) is mental -- just getting yourself in the right frame of mind. The actual biking is easy enough; it's the mental part that's so tough. I know I love to bike, and yet it takes a lot of mental effort to get me out there...