Cycling to job interviews

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As bikeability is getting beginners into cycling, I would make the cycling part of your outfit not team-strip lycra kind of stuff, but more normal Ron-hill type leggins, plus hi-vis top etc as someone has already said. You don't want to give the punters the impression that they have to kit themselves out in lycra to be a 'proper' cyclist.

TBH, Bikesters and a hi vis top is already more 'special kit' than many people want, or need, to wear when cycling. I commute in my work clothes - either jeans, teeshirt, long sleeved fleece and coat (ok, that is yellow, but I could equally wear another coat), or quick drying walking trousers (black), tee-shirt etc etc. All my colleagues do the same. Most of the commuters I see are in normal clothes, ranging from casual to smart suits. Or skirts, as appropriate.

It sounds from the letter like there is scope to get changed. Personally (and of course, I'm not a selector), I'd be more impressed by someone who turned up looking smart and then got straight onto the bike with no fuss (trouser clips, perhaps?), than someone who turned up looking smart and then had to change... Wearing anything 'different' is part of the barrier to cycling, having it seen as 'other'. Time was, you just got on your bike, and went to work.

That said, some people like the idea of having all the right kit. I know of a chap who drives from 30 miles away to the Park and Ride, gets his bike out and changes into full on lycra and shoes etc, then rides the 3 miles or so into town, then changes back into work clothes, and repeats the whole rigmarole at home time...

 

[HobbesChoice]

• an interview with ...........
• a practical session after the interview, which will go ahead whatever the prevailing conditions. Please bring a bicycle and suitable clothing.

In my opinion Matt they've made it clear what they want you to do. Go in your normal suit or smart interview clothes and have a change of suitable clothing ready for the practical session. Phoning and confirming that they have changing facilities for you to use can't hurt though.