Nobody likes their daily commute better than cyclists, according to Statistics Canada (Like Commuting? Workers perceptions of their daily commute (pdf)). Even though commuting cyclists may be few in number in most Canadian cities, those who bike to work are almost twice as likely (59%) to like their commute compared to workers who drive cars (37%). It is even higher than workers who walked to work (46%).

Does this come as a surprise to cyclists? I've had a lot of crappy days cycling, but I've had a lot more good days on my bike. The good days make up for all the things that try to ruin my commute, namely, angry drivers cutting me off, air pollution, or icy/salty streets. The good days are when I get to pass backed up cars, when I get to feel a nice breeze in my face, and when I realize that I'm looking better than I have in some time.

The same report points out that poor transit riders have longest commutes and are the least likely to like their commutes - only 28% of public transit users report liking their commutes. The Statistics Canada analysts found that the length of their commute had the biggest impact on the enjoyment of their commute. No big surprise. Being forced to take transit a few times in the recent snow storms makes me look wistfully out the bus window at the brave souls biking as I stand crammed waiting for the traffic to clear.