7:30AM: Out the door with a blueberry muffin in my mouth. I put on my headphones and cue up Beirut's Gulag Orkestar for the commute.

7:35AM: Arrive at the bus stop. Track two, Prenzlauerber is playing.

7:47AM: Where the heck is this bus? I'm already up to track five, Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)!

8:03AM: Take another look at the schedule. Hmmmm... buses every ten minutes, eh? Bus arrives, with two more trailing. You know, someone should tell them that 1 bus every 10 minutes ≠ 3 buses every 30 minutes.

8:08AM: Approaching the subway station. Gulag Orkestar comes to a close.

8:10AM: I make it through the station's turnstile. Two connections to go, and I'm already 10 minutes late for work. Oh, wait... Wow! What great timing! The train arrives as soon as I reach the platform.

8:11AM: Spoke too soon. The train is full-- I'll have to wait for the next one. This could be awhile. I scroll to The Loon by Tapes 'N Tapes and push play.

8:14AM: Next train arrives, and I'm in.

8:29AM: Arrive at Park Street Station. Gotta change trains.

8:34AM: Train arrives, and I squeeze myself in. The man next to me stinks, and isn't happy with the kid behind him, who's wearing a huge backpack which is repeatedly jabbing him in the ribs. Fortunately, 10 Dollar Ascots drowns out the argument.

8:49AM: I finally reach my destination, shortly after the final measures of Jakov's Suite. I can't believe it took two albums to get to work!

Total Time: 1 hour, 19 minutes (49 minutes late)
Total Cost: $2.10 (before the recent rate hike)
Total Distance: 3.8 miles

Truthfully, this wasn't exactly a typical commute for me, but it wasn't an unusual one either. I couldn't take it anymore. I decided that day to invest in a bicycle. After much research and a few test drives, I decided on the Jamis Coda, an entry-level flat bar road bike, and planned on riding to work the next morning.

I didn't quite know what to expect. Traffic in the Boston area is awful during rush hour (or any other time of day for that matter), and Massachusetts drivers have a bit of a reputation for their reckless and aggressive behavior behind the wheel (they're referred to as "Massholes" for a good reason). But I decided to just take my time, follow the rules, and enjoy the summer breeze.

That was around six months ago, and I've since put over 300 miles on that bike. Bicycommuting turned out to be a great option for me. Here are a few of the benefits:

1. Time savings: It takes anywhere from 15-20 minutes to cover the 3.8 miles between my apartment and my office. It's the fastest mode of transportation available to me: driving takes 20-25 minutes, public transportation takes on average 40-50 minutes, and the walk clocks in at around 55 minutes.
2. Exercise: I've always been a pretty skinny guy, but my metabolism has slowed down considerably over the last few years. Since taking up biking I've shed a few pounds and have nearly gotten my legs back into high school shape. The early morning ride also makes me feel more energized throughout the day.
3. Money savings: Sure, a good bike isn't cheap, but it's an investment... if I were taking public transportation, I'd be out over $70 a month. And, If I were driving, that would be a lot of stop-and-go and wear-and-tear on my car-- not to mention gasoline.
4. Less Impact on the Environment: Yes, the actual difference I'm making here is small, but it somehow doesn't feel that way. It feels good to me that there's one fewer vehicle on the road or one fewer body on the bus. It feels even better when I'm in my bike lane, zipping past a half-mile-long backup of SUVs and cars, each containing one and only one commuter. No energy consumed (other than my own), and no pollution (other than my sweat).
5. It's FUN!

Yes, bicycle commuting can be dangerous. But, here are a few tips to help keep you safe:

1. Follow the rules: ... to a point. Sure, I don't wait for every green light, but I definitely stop at every red. If there's a bike lane available to you, use it, and stay in it-- unless of course you're making a left turn or are avoiding a car making a right.
2. Invest in safety gear: Obviously, wear a helmet, and equip your bike at least a tail light.
3. Leave the iPod at home: I rely so much on my hearing while commuting on my bike, and am continually surprised by the number of cyclists riding with their tunes blaring.
4. Keep up with traffic: Most drivers do not like passing cyclists. If you're going the same speed as them (within reason, of course), they've got no reason to pass you-- they're content to drive behind you at a safe distance.
   
5. Use hand signals when turning: It drives me crazy when drivers don't use their turn signals properly. The same holds true for bikers.
6. Use caution when passing parked cars: Parked cars are perhaps the greatest danger to cyclists. I'd estimate that 95% of people do not check their rear-view mirror when opening their door to get out.