Hacker News Reader

Comment by joelgrus | Hacker News Reader

I am starting a new job soon about 3 miles from my apartment, which is a little too far to walk. (I can walk that far, but I don't really want an hour-each-way commute.)

One thing I've been considering is using Uber / Lyft, but it's a lot of money over the course of a year. At 40% cheaper it looks a lot more attractive, though. And sharing a car with another rider isn't any worse than sharing it with the driver! :)

View on HN

Is there a reason you don't want to just bike? Seems like the perfect distance for it, and it's free after the initial investment of a couple hundred dollars.

What's the saying? A car runs on money and makes you fat, a bike runs on fat and saves you money.

Depending on that 3 mile commute (hills, traffic, bike routes), it may also be faster.

simply not a practical option for everyone. I only do it because I can bikeshare one way home. After biking a few miles in DC in the summer I need a shower and complete change of clothes.

Also, before they put the bike lanes in biking during rush hour felt stressful and dangerous.

I hear you; a lot of people feel the same way (I'm lucky enough to be able to shower at each end; if I don't bike commute it's usually more laziness).

That said, a lot of people seem to sweat less on bikes with an electric assist; people worried about sweat might look into those as an alternative.

I very much do want to bike, but my family (and some of my bike-commuting friends) seem to think I'll get hit by a truck and are very against the idea. :P

Depending where you live, there may be resources to help you get started. 3 miles is a perfect biking distance. Bike-commuting friends don't want you biking? Is there something particularly bad about your surrounding environment?

(...) the initial investment of a couple hundred dollars

And learning to ride it :)

The driver has an incentive to be nice. Your fellow rider doesn't.

You really don't think Uber will be asking riders to rate their fellow passenger right after the ride? And then start displaying it to potential riders to help them decide if they want to take the share?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com