Why don't you cycle to work?
Discussion
As on occaional cycle commuter (my jounrey of a smidge over 100km round trip is too long for me to do everyday at my current fitness!) when ever I cycle in to work I am dismayed by the numebr of single occupancy vehciles being driven. I am as keen a petrolhead as the next person on here, but I am becoming increasingly aware of my impact on our planet. Speaking to colleagues who live within 5 -10 miles of work, they show zero interest in cycling in with any regularity.
I assume that everyone on this part of the forum is a keen cyclist, so do you cycle to work? And if not, why not?
I assume that everyone on this part of the forum is a keen cyclist, so do you cycle to work? And if not, why not?
I did in all weathers for around 5 years every single day, I just got fed up of continually dodging a bullet with drivers not seeing me despite the hi-vis, van drivers yelling and driving too close, mechanical problems (usually after a long nightshift) and ever increasing traffic levels making it more and more dangerous.
It depends where you live but I was assaulted once by a knob head hitting my back after reaching out from a passing van. I came off twice avoiding being hit by myopic drivers. Eventually enough was enough and I drive to work now even though it's only 6 miles each way.
It depends where you live but I was assaulted once by a knob head hitting my back after reaching out from a passing van. I came off twice avoiding being hit by myopic drivers. Eventually enough was enough and I drive to work now even though it's only 6 miles each way.
Too many cars on the road.....
I used to do the 6 miles on my road bike, but currently the 15 mile each way is on poor condition NSL lanes that frankly don't invite themselves to an enjoyable cycle commute. If I fancy 2 wheels to work it's on my motorcycle, quicker than the car and more economical.
Plus I spent years working away from home, it's nice to simply be home within 15-20 mins. Save the riding for the weekend with the family.
I used to do the 6 miles on my road bike, but currently the 15 mile each way is on poor condition NSL lanes that frankly don't invite themselves to an enjoyable cycle commute. If I fancy 2 wheels to work it's on my motorcycle, quicker than the car and more economical.
Plus I spent years working away from home, it's nice to simply be home within 15-20 mins. Save the riding for the weekend with the family.
Commute is short, but
1. Roads are very inappropriate safety wise (Rural, narrow, twisty but fast enough & lots of commercial vehicles). The few cyclists that do use them create huge tailbacks and it is worse for efficiency... If ever I get to cycle in I would take a route that is about twice as long to avoid these issues.
2. Nursery run - nursery is almost next to my work. No way OH will let me put my little one on the back of a bike on a main road.
1. Roads are very inappropriate safety wise (Rural, narrow, twisty but fast enough & lots of commercial vehicles). The few cyclists that do use them create huge tailbacks and it is worse for efficiency... If ever I get to cycle in I would take a route that is about twice as long to avoid these issues.
2. Nursery run - nursery is almost next to my work. No way OH will let me put my little one on the back of a bike on a main road.
A large chunk of UK car journeys can be cycled, there will always be those that can't (work vans etc.) but many will just sit in an office can but choose not to and will make up excuses. These will be the same people that moan about congestion.
Politicians won't take the necessary road space (either parking or lanes) to allow for the safe segregation, people will say it's too dangerous.
At the same time we have an obesity/mental health crisis coming, both that can be fixed with exercise. Air quality isn't getting any better.
We are basically screwed.
Politicians won't take the necessary road space (either parking or lanes) to allow for the safe segregation, people will say it's too dangerous.
At the same time we have an obesity/mental health crisis coming, both that can be fixed with exercise. Air quality isn't getting any better.
We are basically screwed.
Because 90 mile round trip. And no showers at work.
If I worked closer to home I'd happily cycle up to 20 miles each way, current commute is about an hour so would be about the same time wise. Although need to get changed at the other end and mechanical/punctures can add on loads of time.
I did spend a year getting the train most of the way and cycling at either end, got knocked off by a car door and had some really close calls, normally people turning left across my path. A studded SPD shoe to the side of the car usually gets peoples attention it turns out.
If I worked closer to home I'd happily cycle up to 20 miles each way, current commute is about an hour so would be about the same time wise. Although need to get changed at the other end and mechanical/punctures can add on loads of time.
I did spend a year getting the train most of the way and cycling at either end, got knocked off by a car door and had some really close calls, normally people turning left across my path. A studded SPD shoe to the side of the car usually gets peoples attention it turns out.
In normal times (WFH at the moment), I cycle 2-3 times a week and drive the other days. Route is approx 10 miles each way, but I almost always take a less direct route (13-14 miles) on the way home to avoid a long-ish climb up a busy 50mph section which isn't much fun in rush hour. The alternative routes are through the South Downs so not a bad way to end the day anyway.
The days I drive to work is due to one of the following; because I need to get home quick, weather is really crap, legs are tired on a Monday from a long Sunday ride.
From discussions with colleagues, many of whom are the same distance or closer to work than I am, generally they would not consider cycling due to the perceived danger/traffic. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy in some ways, people adding to the traffic that they're scared of. That said, on days when I've had a serious close pass, I can't blame them.
The days I drive to work is due to one of the following; because I need to get home quick, weather is really crap, legs are tired on a Monday from a long Sunday ride.
From discussions with colleagues, many of whom are the same distance or closer to work than I am, generally they would not consider cycling due to the perceived danger/traffic. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy in some ways, people adding to the traffic that they're scared of. That said, on days when I've had a serious close pass, I can't blame them.
COVID aside, my last place of work was out of the city and had a huge car park.
I used to cycle in on a Friday when we didn't bother with formal attire, but couldn't be bothered with the hassle during the week.
New job now, working from home at present, but we may end up with an office back in the city again, and if we do, I'll be buying a more suitable bike and cycling. Only 8 miles, and parking in the city is expensive.
By the time I walked to the train station, got the train into the city then walked up the hill to the office, I'd be just as quick cycling and getting the 'free' exercise.
I used to cycle in on a Friday when we didn't bother with formal attire, but couldn't be bothered with the hassle during the week.
New job now, working from home at present, but we may end up with an office back in the city again, and if we do, I'll be buying a more suitable bike and cycling. Only 8 miles, and parking in the city is expensive.
By the time I walked to the train station, got the train into the city then walked up the hill to the office, I'd be just as quick cycling and getting the 'free' exercise.
Round here (Rossendale valley) it’s simply too hilly and way too wet. It pours down like you wouldn’t believe. You would get to work soaked to the bone either in sweat or rain.
There’s also the issue that IMO the roads are just too dangerous (I’m a motorcyclist and keen mountain biker, but I hate road riding, lethal. I keep my road cycling to a minimum and stick on the pavement). The other thing is that I work in Leeds. Bit far.
There’s also the issue that IMO the roads are just too dangerous (I’m a motorcyclist and keen mountain biker, but I hate road riding, lethal. I keep my road cycling to a minimum and stick on the pavement). The other thing is that I work in Leeds. Bit far.
Because I work from home now;) Used to do a 30 mile round trip from SE to SW London 3 or 4 times a week. I actually miss it - have to make time for riding now and keeping base miles up at the same level as when I was commuting is a bit hit and miss.
I tend to do fewer longer rides, gets me further away from home and gives a welcome change from always being in the same area during lockdown. Will happily commute again by bike if the chance arises.
I tend to do fewer longer rides, gets me further away from home and gives a welcome change from always being in the same area during lockdown. Will happily commute again by bike if the chance arises.
I cycle once a week in the winter. Try to do twice a week in the summer.
It's 13.5 miles each way and takes a bit under an hour. On a nice day it is a lovely ride. Mostly along a repurposed railway line that runs alongside a river, so it is flat and scenic. Steep climb for the last mile or so means i arrive at work red faced and puffing.
I would like to cycle more often but... If i'm on my bike i can't collect kids/shopping on the way home from work, so that necessitates another journey out. And, although the railway line is lovely on sunny day, on a wet and windy night it is unlit, so very dark, and feels a real slog riding home after a day at work. The darkness means you can't see anything alongside, so it feels like you are getting nowhere all the time. It's just depressing.
It's 13.5 miles each way and takes a bit under an hour. On a nice day it is a lovely ride. Mostly along a repurposed railway line that runs alongside a river, so it is flat and scenic. Steep climb for the last mile or so means i arrive at work red faced and puffing.
I would like to cycle more often but... If i'm on my bike i can't collect kids/shopping on the way home from work, so that necessitates another journey out. And, although the railway line is lovely on sunny day, on a wet and windy night it is unlit, so very dark, and feels a real slog riding home after a day at work. The darkness means you can't see anything alongside, so it feels like you are getting nowhere all the time. It's just depressing.
Weather, Convenience, Time, and a whole host of other reasons,
I can cycle to work, and have done on occasions, but it can be a bit of ball ache, Im not the fittest guy, and the 12 miles takes me about 45 minutes.
I take My own lunch, Coffee and juice to work, so I have a decent size backpack on, then I have to consider the weather, if its raining I need to wear waterproofs, and take a change of clothes just in case, if its too hot then I need to shower when I get there so I dont stink the office out all day which means a change of top so that increases the size of my backpack, and then you have the risk of a puncture, so to make sure im at work on time, im leaving about an hour and 15 minutes before I start, so ive then taken 2 hours out of my day for a commute that takes half hour in my car.
I can cycle to work, and have done on occasions, but it can be a bit of ball ache, Im not the fittest guy, and the 12 miles takes me about 45 minutes.
I take My own lunch, Coffee and juice to work, so I have a decent size backpack on, then I have to consider the weather, if its raining I need to wear waterproofs, and take a change of clothes just in case, if its too hot then I need to shower when I get there so I dont stink the office out all day which means a change of top so that increases the size of my backpack, and then you have the risk of a puncture, so to make sure im at work on time, im leaving about an hour and 15 minutes before I start, so ive then taken 2 hours out of my day for a commute that takes half hour in my car.
Moved job and house a couple of years back and have probably driven to work half a dozen times since, usually when carrying something bulky like an overnight bag for a work trip. It's about a 15 minute cycle in to work, and after years of jobs with up to 1.5hr commute, it's bloody fantastic. We're house hunting at the moment and being with 10km or so of work is the main criteria. If we end up more about 20mins or so cycle away from work I'll look at getting an e-bike so I can cycle in work clothes without working up a sweat.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 23 March 14:24
Because although I am an excellent bike handler I would need the skills of Danny Mcaskill to ride from the garage through the front door, bunny hop up the stairs, negotiate the landing and into the home office. It hardly seems worth it.
I do go out a couple of times a week during lunch.
I do go out a couple of times a week during lunch.
An interesting combination of responses.
For those of you living / working in cities I get the safety aspect. My commute ends in a fairly urban area but most of it is rural.
Not having showers at work would be a deal breaker for me too if it was anything other than a very short ride.
49 miles probably would be too
My soltuion to taking lunch / change of clothes in a back pack is to take it in the day before in the car, and then I just have to myself in on the bike. Doesn't work if you want to cycle every day though!
I feel we need a bit of a society level shift towards cycling being a go-to mode of transport. It solves so many issues in one swoop, but I am not sure what the answer is to get people on bikes! As some posters have alluded to, its a bit chicken and egg, with one thing requiring another to change, but that thing also requiring the former to change (levels of traffic on the roads, for example)
For those of you living / working in cities I get the safety aspect. My commute ends in a fairly urban area but most of it is rural.
Not having showers at work would be a deal breaker for me too if it was anything other than a very short ride.
49 miles probably would be too
My soltuion to taking lunch / change of clothes in a back pack is to take it in the day before in the car, and then I just have to myself in on the bike. Doesn't work if you want to cycle every day though!
I feel we need a bit of a society level shift towards cycling being a go-to mode of transport. It solves so many issues in one swoop, but I am not sure what the answer is to get people on bikes! As some posters have alluded to, its a bit chicken and egg, with one thing requiring another to change, but that thing also requiring the former to change (levels of traffic on the roads, for example)
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