For those not from the Pacific Northwest, living in the Emerald City can be quite an experience. From reusable shopping bags to organic vegetables, the Seattle lifestyle represents a drastic change from my Midwestern upbringing. While I quickly learned how to navigate the bus system, other cultural habits eluded me. Remembering whether to put the recycling or the compost out on the curb each week proved challenging. Buying groceries from a farmer’s market rather than supermarket was a minor paradigm shift. However, I think I have finally overcome one of the most difficult hurdles to the Seattle way of life; I’ve become a dedicated bicycle commuter.

Now, I’m no stranger to riding a bike. Since my encounter with training wheels so many years ago, I’ve tallied numerous miles across pavement and dirt on my two-wheeled companion. However, cycling was more of an old acquaintance I visited once every couple of years, rather than a constant friend. Switching from a fair-weather rider to a committed cycler is a tough transition.

I grew up in a stereotypical American car culture, where you counted down the days until you got your driver’s license. Freed from my reliance on others for transportation, I would drive places simply because I could. My car was like a protective cocoon, shielding me from the harsh outside world. Whether it was the dead of winter or the height of summer, the interior could be kept at a comfortable temperature. The stereo provided entertainment should boredom arise on long drives. Cheap gas meant that money was rarely an issue.

Bicycle commuting meant giving up these creature comforts. Exposed to the elements, I would receive the full force of Mother Nature’s wrath. Commuting went from a relaxing drive to a muscle-straining adventure. While the city has gone to great lengths to make cycling easier, it’s still hard to avoid riding on a major thoroughfare. The Burke-Gilman Trail doesn’t run past every house in Seattle.

Nevertheless, my venture into bicycle commuting over the past year has made me a convert. I’m getting the regular exercise that has eluded me since high-school. I’m saving money I would have spent on gas and car maintenance. My carbon footprint is at its lowest level in years. The good experiences have vastly outweighed the bad ones.

Now a year older and wiser in my cyclist ways, I think I understand the strange behaviors of these two-wheeled troopers. Spending several thousand dollars on a bicycle seemed like an exercise in extravagance before.

Now I’m saving up for my own four-digit expenditure. Covering yourself in bright yellow accoutrement seemed absurd before my own close encounters with inattentive motorists.

After your first head-over-handlebars experience, you won’t question the need for a helmet.

Moving to foot power for everyday transportation needs is a challenging endeavor. It requires a certain tolerance of the rainy conditions of the region, as well as flexibility in the face of the unexpected. I woke up on several days contemplating whether the effort was truly worth it as I massaged sore muscles and achy joints. However, bicycle commuting has been such a physically and morally-rewarding activity that I regret not doing it sooner.

With over 50 miles of paths and bike lanes, the city has gone to great lengths to make biking fun and safe. Groups such as the Cascade Bicycle Club and Husky Cycling Club offer information and support to both new and old cyclers, while the UW provides services ranging from bike lockers to showers. There is no better place to begin riding a bike than in Seattle, so do yourself a favor that will benefit both your wallet and your health: Join the thousands of other Seattleites who have left their cars behind for the simple joy of a bicycle and the open road.

Reach columnist Mike Noon at opinion@dailyuw.com.