cycle, scooter or banger?

lordFSA

Need a bit of advice on how to deal with my commuting needs. Just moved to a small town with a shocking bus service. The place where im planning on starting work is 12 miles away in a little village. The roads are mainly two-way narrow winding A and B roads with a small stretch on a dual carriageway.

Now I used to cycle 8 miles to work and back when I was in London (about 45 min each way)....always had the fall back option of the overground if I got too knackered or I messed up the bike.

My question is, with a bit of practice Im sure I can bring my fitness up to doing the 12 miles. BUT, would it be worthwhile in getting a category A licence and a cheap moped/motorbike or even getting some driving lessons and a sub-£1k car (just enough to get from A to ? I used to drive abroad but never converted my licence to a UK one (never needed to in London)....so I imagine 10 lessons or so should be enough to refresh my skills.

Car will involve road tax, insurance, petrol & maintenance costs....but would make the commute much easier. A moped would be cheaper to run, but is it worth spending on the lessons? Or just stick to good ol' pedal power?

I guess im just trying to deliberate the cost-benefit balance and was wondering if anyone could offer some advice.

missile

12 miles on two-way narrow winding A and B roads on a push bike. Yikes - I would be concerned how long before I would be run over and killed!

societys_child

Cheapest = pushbike, but get missiles' point.

If you feel safe enough on a pushbike what about one with an electric motor as back-up?
Was talking to an old lad not long ago who used one to keep fit, just used the motor to help uphills a bit and if he felt knackered, knew he'd enough juice left to get him home. Nice looking bike, he loved it :j

LandyAndy

Depends how often you are prepared to turn up at work wet and dirty. Options 1 and 2 will give plenty of scope for that.

rev_henry

Obviously cycling will be cheapest but are you able and willing to get changed and showered as soon as you get there every morning? Scooter seems a good idea to me, why not just get a 125 on L plates? Then you can just do your CBT and not bother with a proper test. You could even do both, with a cheap secondhand pushbike...

poontang

missile wrote: »

12 miles on two-way narrow winding A and B roads on a push bike. Yikes - I would be concerned how long before I would be run over and killed!

Statistics would suggest the scooter has the highest overall risk....

victor2

12 miles through the country is a bit different to 8 miles into London, and it's an awfully long way, especially in the winter!
If you can shower and change when you get there and the company would look favourably on you doing your bit "for the environment," then cycling is a possibility. I'd still look at getting your car license, so that it's there if you need it. As already mentioned, you'll still be wet and dirty when you get there using two wheels, powered or not.

lordFSA

thanks for all the replies. come to think of it, when i took the long winded bus route there and back, i noticed lots of trucks on those roads and not a single cyclist....even the place of work doesnt have many cycle racks, so i guess its not a popular option. Shower and changing facilities are available, so that wouldnt be a problem. Ive already got a decent pushbike with all the trimmings, so no investment needed there.......bar a life insurance scheme.

If i were to use a <125cc with L plates after doing the CBT, it would only be valid for 2 years, right? Not necessarily any safer with all those truckers. Ive got a month or so while all the CRB clearances come through for the job....so i could do an intensive driving course and get a banger, although the insurance quotes on a <1500cc car for a new driver are about £900 per year....

Maybe I should just find work closer to home!

darich

Presumably you're on a budget so you also need to factor in maintenance.
Car would be most expensive, followed by scooter then bike.

If you passed your driving test prior to 2001 then you could get a 50cc scooter and ride it on your car licence - no L plates, but it's too small for motorway.
CBT does indeed last two years, so without full licence it's approx £100-£130 every two years, assuming you never take and pass a bike test.
Crash helmet? armoured clothing? boots? gloves? Only the helmet is compulsory but if you're competing for road space with much larger vehicles (in fact, whether you're competing for space or not) having the proper gear can save your leg/foot/arm/hand/life....factor in those costs too.....I've just bought all the gear for my bike test and it cost around £300...and I've got budget gear......you can spend £600 on a helmet alone!

Small 125cc bikes can achieve more than 120mpg but obviously need constant maintenance.....push bike doesn't.

How would you travel to work in heavy rain/high winds/snow/ice???.....using the bike in those conditions is asking for trouble and preferably avoided.

If I was in your situation and faced the decision, I'd go for the pushbike. If you decide it's too much work or dangerous, then you can decide about a scooter or bike.

missile

Have you investigated the possibility of sharing transport? Someone may be able to give you a lift.

boliston

For 12 miles I'd go with the pushbike option, but it would be about 50 minutes each way for an average cyclist and about 40 minutes each way for a fit cyclist.

The main risk of danger from other traffic is at junctions unless you cycle in the gutter and thereby encourage unsafe overtakes.

The risk of heart disease is FAR higher than the risk of being killed in an accident, and cycling will certainly help prevent heart disease by staying fit!