Find Out What Your Cycling Really Costs

Ever wondered how much you’re actually spending on your cycling hobby? Most cyclists believe cycling is cheap (e.g. in Flanders, cyclists were much more likely to agree that it is cheap) – after all, once you buy a bike, you just hop on and ride, right? Well, not quite.

If you’re like most cyclists, you’ve probably bought new gear, replaced worn-out parts, grabbed energy bars for long rides, or even upgraded to that shiny new bike you’ve been eyeing. Before you know it, those “small” purchases start adding up.

That’s where our cycling cost calculator comes in handy. It helps you figure out exactly how much each kilometer you ride is costing you – and the results might surprise you!

Why Should You Care About Your Cycling Cost?

Look, we’re not trying to make you feel guilty about spending money on cycling. It’s still way cheaper than driving a car everywhere. But knowing your actual cycling cost helps you make better decisions about your gear and riding habits.

Here’s what you can do once you know your cost per kilometer:

• > See if cycling really is saving you money compared to other ways of getting around
• > Figure out which cycling expenses are worth it and which ones aren’t
• > Set a realistic budget for next year’s cycling purchases
• > Settle those debates with your cycling buddies about who spends more on their hobby.

How Our Cycling Cost per Kilometer Calculator Works

Don’t worry – using the calculator isn’t rocket science. You just need to put in some information that you probably already know.

Step 1: Add up your yearly cycling expenses. Think about everything cycling-related you bought in the past year. This includes obvious stuff like:

• > Your bike (if you bought one) or any upgrades you made
• > Safety gear like helmets, lights, and reflective clothing
• > Cycling clothes, shoes, and gloves
• > Maintenance costs – new tires, chain replacements, tune-ups
• > Food and drinks for longer rides

Step 2: Enter how far you rode. Check your Strava account, bike computer, or phone app to see your total distance for the year. If you don’t track your rides digitally, make your best guess – it’s better than nothing.

Step 3: Let the calculator do its magic. And boom – you’ll know your cost per kilometer.

Real Example: What Does Cycling Actually Cost?

Let’s say Sarah spent $800 last year on cycling stuff. She bought new pedals ($120), replaced her tires twice ($80), got some new cycling shorts ($60), and spent about $540 on nutrition and gear throughout the year.

Sarah rode 4,000 kilometers in that same year – not bad for someone with a full-time job!

Using our cycling cost per kilometer calculator, Sarah’s cost comes out to $0.20 per kilometer. That’s 20 cents for every kilometer she rode.

To put that in perspective, driving the same distance would have cost her at least $2,000 in gas, insurance, and car maintenance. Cycling saved her a ton of money, even with all her gear purchases.

Making Your Cycling More Budget-Friendly

Once you know your cycling cost, you can start making smarter choices. Maybe you realize you’re spending too much on energy bars when bananas work just as well. Or perhaps you discover that riding more often actually makes your cost per kilometer go down – which is a great motivation to get out more!

Some cyclists may even turn this into a friendly competition, comparing their cost per kilometer with friends and trying to beat each other’s efficiency scores.

Ready to Calculate Your Cycling Cost?

The only way to know your true cycling cost is to crunch the numbers. Our cycling cost calculator makes it quick and painless – just plug in your expenses and distance, and you’ll have your answer in seconds.

Whether you’re a daily commuter, weekend warrior, or someone who just loves exploring new trails, knowing your cost per kilometer gives you a clearer picture of your cycling investment. Plus, you might be pleasantly surprised by how affordable your cycling passion really is compared to other hobbies and transportation options.