First time in ages I have to go by car ...

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Late !

can't believe it, took me 1 hr 10, bike is 55 mins,
waste of time, and petrol,

last time for me, need to get some lights now.

 

[Crankarm]

Lesson learned, commuting by car is guaranteed to take you longer and add to stress.

To change the subject,

You could do a lot worse than this little shiner for your rear,

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14828

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm struck by this Kevin. The bike is certainly quicker for many journeys in London, but that it is so in Cambridge is a surprise. Impressive.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I'm struck by this Kevin. The bike is certainly quicker for many journeys in London, but that it is so in Cambridge is a surprise. Impressive.

Think it is in lots of places. I'm semi-rural, commuting around urban conurbation bits. Takes 25-30 minutes on the bike depending on route and conditions, and 15-20 in the car on a good day. I have known it be over an hour in the car if gridlock follows an incident on the nearby motorway.

So the car is (usually) quicker for me, but not by a lot, and the bike is much less stressful of course.

When (if!) we move offices, I'll only be commuting 2.5-3 miles (10-15 mins; it's up a hill*, alright! ) depending on route, on the bike. It would be 4+ miles to go round by car, at least 10 minutes on that route at that time of day.

* under 10 minutes on the way home .. wheeeeeeee!!

 

[2Loose]

I'm struck by this Kevin. The bike is certainly quicker for many journeys in London, but that it is so in Cambridge is a surprise. Impressive.

Traffic is horribly congested in Cambridge and the amount of routes into the centre are few. I used to live about 8 miles out (Hardwick) and would beat my mother into work by over 40 minutes if we both left at 7.50 am.

She travelled 2 miles in those 40minutes.... and that was over 15 years ago now, must be much worse nowadays.

 

[Nigeyy]

Speaking of which, I used to regularly cycle on the Nottingham ring road near the old Raleigh factory, as well as drive it in the mid to late 1980's. It was pretty bad then (well, relatively speaking), how is it now? I shudder to think!

Traffic is horribly congested in Cambridge and the amount of routes into the centre are few. I used to live about 8 miles out (Hardwick) and would beat my mother into work by over 40 minutes if we both left at 7.50 am.

She travelled 2 miles in those 40minutes.... and that was over 15 years ago now, must be much worse nowadays.

 

[2Loose]

Speaking of which, I used to regularly cycle on the Nottingham ring road near the old Raleigh factory, as well as drive it in the mid to late 1980's. It was pretty bad then (well, relatively speaking), how is it now? I shudder to think!

Thats not far from me now! If you mean up by City HospitalBasford Church area, then I must say that the ring road does a good job of flowing fairly well (compared to other places I have lived at rush hour) all things considered.

 

[garrilla]

Thats not far from me now! If you mean up by City HospitalBasford Church area, then I must say that the ring road does a good job of flowing fairly well (compared to other places I have lived at rush hour) all things considered.

Its further round than that. That bit where you are, Valley Road, is better because it has roundabouts that keep the flow going really well - I'm originally from by Edwards Lane. Up the other end on Western Blvd/Middleton Blvd it has several intersections which play havoc with the traffic.

@Dell

I'm not surpised.

In Liverpool on most routes during peak traffic it will be far quicker with a bike.

If I took the direct route to work (door to door), which takes me 15mins max on the bike, I couldn't do it in under 25 in the car.

My actual route takes me away from the city for the first 2/5ths of my commute (deliberately) and I will keep up with cars because of my ability coast at a good speed and filter at lights. This morning there was a lady in blue car - she had a very good look at me a few times - and I probably encountered her about 5 or 6 times over 4 or so miles. Then when I turn back towards the city, I'm pretty much beating the traffic all the way.

Congestion elsewhere is clearly nothing like London, but I think in most cities and bigger towns it is now at levels where the bike should be faster.

One of the big diffrence is the amount of the day that is in 'peak traffic' - If Liverpool reaches an hour at either end of the working day I'd be surprised.

 

[dellzeqq]

There's got to be the germ of a CTC campaign here!

 

[Piemaster]

Cycling sucks. Does a pretty good job on the car/bike debate.

 

[Black Sheep]

think i might use the car on tuesday, but then it is 100 miles each way

 

[2Loose]

think i might use the car on tuesday, but then it is 100 miles each way

Then I think you are excused

 

[Ian Johnson]

In a few years if traffic levels continue to increase, then even 100 mile journeys will be quiker by bike at busy times ,if your prepared to spend 5 hours in the saddle, I think thats many years off though

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I keep hoping the price of petrol keeps going up

 

[DJ]

I keep hoping the price of petrol keeps going up

Dont worry I think that is one of lifes certainties