Bike/Fare

The figure above right represents my savings as a bicyclist otherwise dependent on public transit. In no way meant to disparage Chicago’s system or dissuade others from its use—I’m a regular and happy CTA rider—my aim here is to calculate the amount I would have paid in fare, currently $2 by train, $1.75 by bus, and 25¢ per transfer.

Savings are determined by the route I’m most likely to take to the destination. For example, my July 29 trip to the Newberry Library’s annual Book Fair would have meant a ride on the #70 (Division) bus, $1.75 one way or $3.50 for a round trip (having spent two hours at the sale and losing my transfer). Instead I biked and bought more books.

The amounts represented will change if I’ve discovered a better route.

Total saved thus far: $741.25

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when saved destination notes
Friday, May 18, 2007 $3.50 work, Hubbard and State
Monday, May 14, 2007 $3.50 work, Hubbard and State
Friday, May 11, 2007 $3.50 work, Hubbard and State I apologized to a woman missing two teeth that I had no change for her. She replied, "You soud like Mickey Wooney! Gahbless ya!"
Thursday, May 10, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State My tire scuffed a sedan that cut me off in the bike lane. He was turning east onto Division from Milwaukee. Bike and rider are just fine, thanks.
Monday, May 7, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State
Thursday, May 3, 2007 $4.00 Millennium Park, Madison and Michigan
Saturday, April 28, 2007 $3.50 Merchandise Mart, Kinzie and Wells Bridge show at Artropolis.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State Met a man about my age homeless five months. He said he'd just gotten a job paying $8 an hour at McCormick Place.
Saturday, April 21, 2007 $4.00 McCormick Place, Cermak and Lake Shore Of course I biked to the Green Festival. Volunteered an afternoon shift for Faith in Place. I am not the first to observe the seeming incongruity of a faith-based group and the environmental movement. While I witnessed a few sneers, response was positive on the whole.
Friday, April 20, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State coatless
Thursday, April 19, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 $4.00 work, Hubbard and State
Monday, March 26, 2007 $4.00 Pick Me Up Café, Roscoe and Clark
Sunday, March 25, 2007 $2.00 Pearl Art Supply, Chicago and Franklin Linoleum
Sunday, March 11, 2007 $2.00 Whole Foods, Huron and Dearborn Wound up there. All over, bakers prepping for the workweek -- the aroma of wheat and cinnamon.
Monday, October 30, 2006 $3.50 work, Irving Park and Hermitage 53°
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 $3.50 work, Irving Park and Hermitage
Monday, October 9, 2006 $3.50 work, Irving Park and Hermitage
Thursday, October 5, 2006 $3.50 work, Irving Park and Hermitage

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