How do I encourage my OH to get cycling?

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

Hello everyone

I'm facing abit of an eco/spending dilemma. In September, me and my OH are hoping to start a post-graduate course at our local uni, we have a car but I'm the only one who can drive. We'll get a bursary towards living expenses and travel and as I have to pay road tax, insurance etc, and the car's really economical on petrol, it would make economic sense for me to drive us in every day than spend an extra £70 per month on having bus passes.

However, there is a slight probelm, I'm really starting to detest driving. I hate being stuck in traffic, I hate rush hour, I hate having to pay £90 per month for the priviledge of having a car at my disposal, and that's before I've put petrol in it to drive anywhere. I generally try to walk or cycle everywhere now, it started as a way to save money on travel and not need gym membership but now I just enjoy it, whilst I might be a little red faced and warm when I arrive at my destination, at least I'm not about to burst a blood vessel because my journey stressed me out.

Unfortunately, I can't get rid of the car, I do genuinely need it for work occassionally, and OH has to learn how to drive as he's very likely to need a car in his new line of work. However, any suggestions for how I can persuade other half that cycling is fun, good exercise, the best way to get from A to B for short journeys and that being a cyclist isn't akin to having a death wish, would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

DDD

LuciferTDark

Buy yourself some skin tight lycra cycling shorts

savemoney

Tell him he cant have his wicked way unless he cycles and loses a few pounds in weight

Lorian

cycling changed my life.

I would suggest buying him the following book. It's easy to read, will help install confidence (and safety) into any new cyclist.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-Complete-Enjoyable-Cycling-Children/dp/0117037400/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1202473652&sr=8-1

tightbarsteward

Have 2 bikes ready to ride, & shout at your hubby "bet you can't catch me 10 bellies!" His male competitive streak will take over & he will pedal like
he's never pedaled before to catch up with you

tightbarsteward

Or do the North Face at Grisdale Forest http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-69hbp2

You will be addicted for life!

bathgatebuyer

Tell him much a nice tight cyclists bum does for you.

(Although I've been cycling and all I get is a sore bum)

tomstickland

They need to get out and get cycling. Once you start then the improvement in fitness and general feeling of well being should be good motivation. Cycling is a fun and it is a quick way of getting around.

Savvy_Sue

Does he feel confident on a bike? DH never learned to ride as a child so when I bought one he 'had a go'. Astonishingly, he got on and rode it by working it out from first principles in Physics but although he could stay on, he couldn't move in a straight line, or even turn a given corner! We didn't pursue it: neither of us minds walking, so we do that for pleasure and we have good public transport (mostly) when we both need to get somewhere.

But if your DH wasn't a confident rider as a child, he's going to need a fair bit of encouragement as an adult. Is there a good cyclepath anywhere near you where you could get him out and away from all traffic initially? If it's just a nice ride in the country with a coffee or a beer in the middle or at the end of it, that might be a better start than "we need to get to X in half an hour and I don't want to get the car out."

Also, I know that here in Bristol they do adult cycling lessons, maybe something like that near you?

GreenNotM

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams wrote: »

However, any suggestions for how I can persuade other half that cycling is fun, good exercise, the best way to get from A to B for short journeys and that being a cyclist isn't akin to having a death wish, would be very much appreciated.

Your local home, uni and husband's work location councils may offer free cycling lessons - if the above are 3 different councils you will get 3 lots of lessons. I know that will occur in London boroughs via TFL. Their budgets may be expired at the moment but come April there will be new money available. He will learn to ride in a safe postive manner for himself and other road users.

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Does he feel confident on a bike? DH never learned to ride as a child so when I bought one he 'had a go'. Astonishingly, he got on and rode it by working it out from first principles in Physics but although he could stay on, he couldn't move in a straight line, or even turn a given corner! We didn't pursue it:

Sue tell your hubby that he needs to relax and let the handlebars move from side to side as he pedals - sounds like he was having a white knuckle ride :eek: - handlebars held solid. The physics are - the bicycle wants to travel in a straight line, as his weight is moving side to side up/down as he pedals then the bicycle will steer itself one way then the next, to travel in its straight line - you stop the cycle from doing this little movement then the bike will flop to one side.
Have him watch you pedal and see the movement for himself - once he is use to the action, his brain will cancel the movement out and he will be able to cycle where ever he wants. :T

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately, I have the cycling shorts and he just laughed at me in them

Anyhow, he's quite capable of riding a bike, just has fear of the roads, mainly the motorists on it. There's some cycling lessons for adults here too, just need to get him on a bike. Probably gonna have to try and get one off freecycle as he won't even entertain the idea of buying one and as you can probably tell by my name, I'm not in a position to splash out on one for him.