Commuting by Bike in Practice: 30 Days of Lessons from a Metro Commuter Turned Cyclist

Introduction

On Taipei mornings, the MRT platform is always packed with office workers in suits. Two years ago, I was one of them—standing for half an hour on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line every day, scrolling through my phone waiting for the arrival announcement. Then one day, a road bike soaked from the rain was parked next to my office, with a handwritten note attached: “Day 100 of cycling to work. Never looking back.”

That note made me decide to give it a try. This article documents my complete 30-day journey from MRT commuter to cycling commuter, including the planning phase, the frustrations of the adjustment period, and the reasons I never want to give up after day 30.

Week 1: Preparation Matters More Than You Think

Many people, after deciding to commute by bike, rush out to buy one as their first move. But I spent almost my entire first week on “research,” which turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

Three Steps to Route Planning

1. Preview the route with Google Maps’ cycling mode: From Zhongshan District to Xinyi District in Taipei, the MRT takes only 12 minutes, but there are several cycling routes—the shortest is 5.8 km, the safest is 8.2 km. The difference is significant.
2. Do a test ride during your lunch break: Maps won’t tell you which sections are bumpy, which intersections have dangerous traffic, or where public restrooms are.
3. Confirm parking at your destination: Can you park a bike in the company’s basement scooter parking area? Will security allow it? All of this needs to be confirmed in advance.

Minimum Gear Checklist

Week 2: The Reality Check Adjustment Period

Week 2 was the toughest week. On day 8, I got caught in heavy rain and stood in a stairwell, soaking wet, for 10 minutes, seriously considering quitting. On day 10, cycling made me 20 minutes later than usual, I was late for a meeting, and my supervisor gave me a look.

But it was also this week that I discovered a few unexpected benefits:

• My mind was clearer than when I took the MRT: Cycling requires focus on the road, leaving no energy to worry about work. I actually arrived at the office with a sharper mind.
• I discovered a Taipei invisible from the MRT line: A route through the alleys of Da’an District led me to three breakfast shops I never knew existed.
• The physical toll was less than expected: I was afraid I’d be too exhausted to work, but 6 km only takes about 25 minutes for an average person—the cardiovascular load isn’t that heavy.

Weeks 3 & 4: Finding the Rhythm

Starting in week 3, commuting by bike became a kind of “ritual.” I began spending 10 minutes each day before departure checking the bike and pumping the tires. That time unexpectedly became the quietest, most peaceful part of my day.

30-Day Quantified Results

• Cost savings: MRT monthly pass NT$1,280 → cycling nearly NT$0 (occasional tire top-ups)
• Exercise: About 40 extra minutes of cardio per day
• Time: 10–15 minutes longer than the MRT, but no waiting for trains
• Weight: Dropped about 1.8 kg (without deliberately controlling my diet)

Practical Advice

If you’re also thinking about trying bike commuting, here are the three tips I most want to share:

1. Don’t ride the full route on day one: First plan a route that allows you to switch to the MRT midway, giving yourself an escape route. It makes the psychological pressure much lighter.
2. Set your weather app to notify you at 6 AM every day: Taipei’s weather changes quickly. Checking the forecast the night before isn’t very reliable—the morning of is what matters.
3. Find a colleague who also commutes by bike: Community support matters. Because someone in my department had already made the switch, I could ask questions immediately and saved a lot of trial-and-error time.

Conclusion

On day 30, I stopped on a bridge while riding home, watching the sunset paint the Tamsui River orange-red. Several cyclists in fluorescent vests passed by, and one nodded at me. In that moment, I finally understood what that note meant—commuting by bike isn’t just changing your mode of transport; it’s changing the way you relate to the city. Are you ready?

Related Reading

• The Daily Life of a Bike Commuter: How Taipei Office Workers Replace the MRT with Bicycles
• Changes After a Year of Bike Commuting: A Real Record of Health, Wallet, and Quality of Life
• The Lifestyle Revolution of Bike Commuting: A Complete Guide to Cycling to Work in Taiwan’s Cities
• Bike Commuting: A Lifestyle Revolution That Changes the City’s Rhythm