Why bike? Here are my top 5.

I want to interrupt the habit of grabbing car keys whenever I leave the house, and here are my top five reasons:

5. Park. You can park right next to the door, anywhere, for free. The only way you get this service in a car is if you're disabled or you've got a chauffeur.

4. Heal. Lack of exercise increases chances of heart disease, cancer, and depression. (Just thinking about it is depressing!) Our cars are killing us. It might take a few minutes longer* to bike, but even if it takes a little longer, you've saved time by multitasking. 1 mile round-trip: that's 15-20 minutes you don't need to budget for exercise.

3. Have fun! Pick a route that takes you on residential streets or through or past parks: stop and admire nice houses and gardens, listen to birds, watch kids playing, say hi to parents walking babies in strollers, and stop and chat with friends. Isn't this why you live in a small city like Newton?

2. Enjoy being good. Each mile you bike instead of drive saves the planet from 10 pounds of carbon, reduces congestion, and reduces pollution in general.

1. Save $$. Lots and lots of $$. My wife and I haven't owned a second car since before our son was born 7 years ago. We don't need it. A few times a year we run into a conflict that biking, walking, and public transportation won't solve, and we rent a car or take a taxi. We save on gas money, wear and tear, and insurance. Most families spend on average $7000 a year on transportation, 90% for cars. We spend less than half that. And I don't spend a dime on gym memberships.

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*For most of my short trips, door-to-door time is actually equal to or shorter than driving because of item #5.