Commuting: Bus & Metro versus Cycling in Montreal

navut. BUS/METRO VS CYCLING 1319 1310. IN MONTREAL COST While cheaper over the short term at 3.00$ a ride, the STM's monthly passes will nevertheless cumulatively cost you almost 1000$ a year (at the regular rate). Students and seniors get a break at about 50% less, happily. While the upfront amount for a bicycle and equipment can be high at first, over the long term it is extremely cost-efficient. Used bicycles are a great option to lower the initial costs, and Bixi bike rental memberships are available from May to November for 80$. Recommended maintenance on bicycles varies from 30-75$. annual WEATHER The greatest advantage of public transportation is that it is completely unaffected by weather, except for the occasional winter storm (and even then, metros prevail.) Cycling is unfortunately quite weather-dependent for most, even though some rarer, very enthusiastic cyclists brave all of Montreal's weather year-round, though this often requires a second winter bike and expensive gear. TIME AND DISTANCE While in most cases, the metro and buses can get you to your destination faster and more directly, traffic delays and metro stoppages are frequent, not to mention that buses are notorious for not always being on time. Service has however been greatly improved in recent years, and in terms of distance, can get you much further than before. Cycling usually demands more time to get to a destination, but during hours of gridlock, you'll be glad to have two wheels intead of four. As Montreal is manageably small, almost any downtown destination is within a half hour cycle. Outside the downtown area however, it is preferable to use public transportation. CROWDS Rush hour doesn't exclude the bike path by any means, and there are certainly droves of cyclists vying for space and who sometimes drive questionably. However, the pleasure of a nice Rush hour crowds can often be insufferable in buses and on the metro, as people feverishly pack together to get to their jobs or homes. In the summer this means getting up close and personal with your hot, sticky and yes, sometimes stinky neighbor (as Montreal's public transportation, for the most part, is not air-conditionned). breeze and the relative freedom of movement that a bicycle can offer really make the case for cycling, in this instance, OTHER POINTS For those non-morning people out there, the best part of public transportation is the possibility for napping, since you don't have to worry about driving your car. There's not much that compares to the great scenery offered by a bike ride in the city. Many of the bikepaths cross through such places as the Old Port, the Lachine Canal, and countless beautiful parks (Laurier and Lafontaine, to name a few.) Many metro stations become makeshift stages for some suprisingly talented buskers. Many Montreal-based bands actually got their start by busking in the metro! One point to consider carefully is that cycling is admittedly more dangerous than taking public transit, and that there's sometimes a strong dislike between motorists and cyclists. Good cycling manners and good equipment help, however. The Montreal metro system offers direct access to many of the main attractions downtown and cultural event organizers frequently offer discounts for metro-pass holders. Cycling is an absolutely emmission-free way to travel, and you can feel good about helping the environment and your health by grabbing Monthly metro passes are tax deductible your bike. 1319