Why do so few people cycle?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

dannymccann wrote: »

Doesnt actually bother me when I fly past a cyclist on said dual carriageway doing a ton and they are struggling to get up the hill :rotfl: :T

Fit cyclists don't ever struggle to get up hills.;)

Ezmondino

I went out on the bike last weekend. I spent about 17 of the 22 miles avoiding potholes...I kid you not...one looked about 10 inches deep!!

davidlizard

I cycle to work and back every day - I cannot remember the last time I took the car. I have no problem with the cold or wet - decent clothing sees to that.

There are reasons why I cycle:
1. Except for the first 200 yards, its offroad all of the way, mostly along woodland paths. I would not cycle if the route was mostly on roads - too many muppets who are more interested in taking 10 seconds off their journey time than considering the safety of other road users.
2. We often have a few beers after work - this does not fit in well with driving.
3. Its usually quicker to cycle the 2.5 miles than sit in a 4 mile traffic jam.
4. MSE and fitness.

parkender

Kool_Kool wrote: »

I'm too scared to cycle here in London, car drivers have no respect and cycling lanes arent that many unfortunately

Cycled for 18 months whilst working in London and found it an absolute doddle. Wherever there is a busy road you can guarantee there is a quiet residential road or cycle track about 100 yards away. I used to cycle from Kew Bridge through Richmond Park surrounded by Deer and then along the Thames via the cyclepath through Barnes and Mortlake. Journey finished in Earls Court.

Many a night I would cycle for miles and discover places I’d never been to, great restraunts, pubs, cafes etc.

Transport for London do some great free maps with all the quiet routes and cyclepaths marked and colour coded – they are even delivered to your house for free! Have a look on Transport for London website and type 'cycleguides' in the search engine.

parkender

Cycling to work is all about having a system. I cycle 15 miles to work and back each day maybe 2-3 days a week (during winter) – hopefully more in the summer.

Plan your route using Google Maps or an OS Map (OS Maps are available on Multimap via the ‘OS Map’ tab. This way you can find the quieter roads, cyclepaths, bridleways etc.

Use one of your Car Journey days to leave work shoes/clothes in work along with a fresh towel. Find out where the shower(s) is. Keep Soap/Shower Gel etc in work. If you are cycling everyday then just bring fresh shirts etc in a backpack on a Monday.

This means you just have to get up in the morning and throw on your cycling gear and pedal to work. Quick shower at work and change into work clothes and hang your bike gear somewhere to ‘air’.

I’ve lost 2 Stone since cycling to work in the last 3 years and the ₤200 I paid for my new bike has paid for itself tenfold in saved petrol costs and public transport fees / congestion charge when I was working in London. Plus the amount of time saved – try driving into or out of Central London between 6:00 – 9:00 and 16:00 and 19:00 – it is at least half the journey time if you go by bike. A door to door journey from Earls Court to Kew Bridge used to take me 25 minutes – public transport door to door was 40 minutes.

sickparrot

I cycle the 7 miles to work and back most days, only avoiding it when conditions make the road slippery, such as ice and slushy snow, then I generally take the bus because I dislike driving in commuter traffic.

I have several routes I can take, some offroad (canals and paved railway cuttings), so it keeps it interesting.

99% of the time other road users are fine, the only dangerous occurences seem to be occasionally pulling out of a side street in front of me, or overtaking then immediately turning left. I shout abuse then carry on my way. I've only been properly knocked off twice in the past 20 years.

I buy a new bike every 3-4 years, it's still cheaper than driving.

elfen

I am thinking of starting to cycle to the station (I need to be at uni for 9, so when I get the train I'm usually leaving at 7:15 to get the train in) and I've got the lights and pump and lock, and wondering what else I need. Both jackets I'd cycle in are bright blue, and have reflective bits, as does my bag. Do I need to take anything more, like maybe a clean tee or some deodrant and baby wipes?

catflea

Definatly take some deodorant. Unless you want the the whole row in the lecture theatre to yourself that is!

elfen

lol catflea, I thought it might be a good idea! I'll take the wet wipes too, as I can lock up the bike, hop on the train and go freshen up in the loo.

daniel_owen_uk

elfen wrote: »

I am thinking of starting to cycle to the station (I need to be at uni for 9, so when I get the train I'm usually leaving at 7:15 to get the train in) and I've got the lights and pump and lock, and wondering what else I need. Both jackets I'd cycle in are bright blue, and have reflective bits, as does my bag. Do I need to take anything more, like maybe a clean tee or some deodrant and baby wipes?

Spare tube, tyre levers, cable tie, multitool is nice to have.

Definitely something to clean you and make you smell a bit nicer (although how much you need really depends how far station is etc).

Oh and a helmet of course.