A $2,000 Bike vs. a $7,000 Hospital Bill: Why Cycling Is the Better Investment

You might think spending $2,000 on a bicycle is outrageous.

But have you priced out a heart procedure lately?

I'm 69 years old, and I say this with humility, not pride—but people are often surprised when they find out. "You do not look 69," they tell me. I think a big part of that is cycling. It hasn’t just kept me moving. It’s kept me young.

My wife says most 59-year-olds don’t walk like I do. She sees people shuffle through the store, leaning on carts, or struggling to stand up from a chair. Meanwhile, I ride my bike 30 to 50 miles a day, walk with confidence, and still play basketball when I feel like it.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying cycling will make you feel like you're 20 again. I’m still 69. I have aches and pains, just like anyone my age. But it could be a whole lot worse if I hadn’t been a cyclist. It hasn’t made me ageless—it’s just helped me age a whole lot better.

That kind of vitality didn’t come from a magic pill or a clean eating fad. It came from riding a bike regularly. From moving my body every day. From sweating and smiling through miles of road.

Yes, I spent about $2,000 on a quality bike and gear. Actually, my current bike cost closer to $1,200—not top-of-the-line, but solid and dependable. That same $1,200 bike has now carried me more than 22,000 miles over the past five years. It still rolls strong, and it's paid me back in ways I can't fully measure.

And here's something else—because I ride so much, I rarely go to the doctor. My medical expenses are practically non-existent. When I step back and really think about it, I have to ask: what's the return on investment for that bicycle? What is the value of 22,000 miles of motion, strength, freedom—and not sitting in waiting rooms or filling prescriptions? I'd say it's one of the best financial decisions I've ever made.

The $2,000 figure just includes everything that comes with it: shoes, helmet, clothing, accessories. Some people will spend more, some will spend less. You don’t have to break the bank to get started. I use $2,000 as a ballpark number to make a simple point.

Science Agrees: Cycling Slows Aging and Saves Lives

Cycling isn’t just about avoiding disaster. It actively makes you younger, in both body and brain.

• One major study linked regular cycling (100+ minutes/week) to a 17% lower risk of death.
• Cyclists have a 19% lower risk of dementia and up to 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
• Riders report fewer joint issues like knee pain compared to non-cyclists.
• And yes, cyclists remain more independent, mobile, and confident into old age.

These aren’t opinions. They’re findings backed by peer-reviewed studies.

An Investment in Living Fully

I’m not telling you to buy a bike to look cool or follow a trend.

I’m telling you this because I believe with everything in me that cycling is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Financially. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to be skinny. You just need to move.

Get a bike that fits you. Ride around your neighborhood. Join a group. Or don’t. Just ride. A little at first. More as you go. Let your heart, your knees, and your spirit thank you later.

Because when it comes to your health, your strength, your aging process—and yes, your money—you can pay now or pay later.

I’ll keep paying with my pedals.

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