Car vs. Bike Calculator
Estimate the environmental and health benefits of biking instead of driving to work. Adjust commute distance, frequency, fuel price, and diet-related emissions to see annual savings.
Default assumes average mixed diet. Lower for plant-based nutrition.
Car commute emissions
959.37 kg CO₂e
Bike commute emissions
103.82 kg CO₂e
Annual fuel cost
$427.89
Calories burned biking
173,036.24 kcal
CO₂ savings per year
855.55 kg CO₂e
How to Use This Calculator
Enter commute details
Provide one-way distance and how many days each week you travel between home and work or school.
Define car and fuel data
Input your vehicle’s miles per gallon and the current price of gasoline or petrol.
Adjust cycling footprint
Modify the diet-related emission factor to reflect the foods powering your rides.
Formula
Annual Miles = Distance × 2 × Days × 48
Car CO₂ = (Miles ÷ MPG) × 3.785 × 2.31
Bike CO₂ = (Miles × 1.609) × Emission Factor
Calories = (Miles × 1.609) × 35
Example: An 8-mile commute, 4 days a week, in a 28 MPG car emits ~1,200 kg CO₂ annually. Cycling instead emits ~110 kg CO₂ (from food), saving over one ton of carbon and $700 in fuel.
Adjust the number of working weeks if your schedule differs.
About the Car vs. Bike Calculator
Transportation is a major contributor to personal carbon footprints. Bicycling replaces fossil fuel miles with muscle power, improving health while reducing emissions. This calculator quantifies those gains in simple terms.
When to Use This Calculator
- Commuter planning: Decide whether switching to cycling is worthwhile.
- Employer programs: Promote bike-to-work incentives using real savings numbers.
- City campaigns: Encourage active transport through quantifiable benefits.
- Fitness goals: Track calories burned alongside carbon reduction.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Comprehensive metrics: Emissions, cost, and health benefits in one view.
- ✅ Custom inputs: Tailor to your commute schedule and vehicle details.
- ✅ Evidence-based factors: Uses standard fuel emission rates and cycling calorie data.
- ✅ Quick comparisons: See the difference instantly when tweaking values.
Common Applications
Universities: Support sustainable transportation programs.
Corporate wellness: Quantify incentives for biking initiatives.
Local governments: Model potential emission reductions from bike infrastructure investments.
Tips for Best Results
- Combine with public transit for longer commutes to maximize savings.
- Use accurate MPG data from fuel logs or onboard computers.
- Adopt a lower-carbon diet to further reduce biking emissions.
- Track actual biking days to monitor progress and stay motivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does public transit offer similar savings?
Transit typically emits far less than driving. You can plug in equivalent emissions per mile to compare.
What about electric bikes?
E-bikes use electricity instead of extra food calories. Estimate electricity use (Wh per km) and multiply by your grid factor.
Does cold weather change emissions?
Colder temperatures can reduce fuel efficiency. Adjust MPG downward in winter months for accuracy.
How do I account for car maintenance savings?
Estimate avoided maintenance and depreciation costs per mile and add them to the fuel savings figure.