First visit to the commute section

[steveindenmark]

I have been a members on here for quite while and this is my first visit to this section.

Do any of you enjoy your commute to work? Because it does not sound like it. It is full of head cam wanna be policemen and reports of bad driving.

There are two things you can be certain of and that are not news worthy or interesting. The police are not interested and there are bad drivers everywhere. So why does everyone keep reporting these things on here?

Why not post new safer routes between places, more aggressive riding techniques, because a lot of the pinch incidents on the Web cam films are causer by timid riding.

I am not knocking anyone but read through the posts and you will see what impression a first timer gets.

Steve

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Commuting is just part of life's routine.

 

[asterix]

It's a jungle out there mate.

 

[Hip Priest]

I enjoy it normally. If I don't, it's normally weather-related. Your outlook can shape your experience. If you head out with a combative attitude - and an expectation of conflict - that's often what you'll get. Of course, we'll all have incidents from time-to-time, but they're not as frequent as others would suggest.

 

[Julia9054]

One thing I have learned from being on this site for a few months is that I never, ever want to cycle in London. Ever!
Or drive in London.
Or go to London again!
It sounds a terrifying place.
I enjoy my commute in Harrogate. Cycling alongside The Stray makes me happy every morning. I have very few problems with other road users. Any incidences of bad driving I do witness are generally simple mistakes - we all make the occasional mistake when driving/cycling - you are just a bit more aware of them on a bike because you are forced to concentrate a bit more.

 

[helston90]

Don't let the bad experiences of a few represent the pleasant but not reported experiences of the rest of us.
My commute is lovely, I ride through the country side, tackle some great hills and arrive feeling chuffed as nuts.
I am gutted when I have to take the car, especially as I see other cyclists en route.

 

[srw]

I almost never visit this section, because it's full of angry, aggressive posting. I find Current Affairs and Debates much more congenial.

Oh, and my commute is in central London. I love it. It's peaceful, I almost never get cut up or nearly taken out, and I have never seen the point in having a helmet-cam. For that matter, I don't wear a helmet on it any more.

 

[Sheepy1209]

The only problem I have is one particular dog owner; I won't say 'walker', as his idea of walking his dogs is to walk down the middle of the cycle path while they chase each continuously in a huge circle regardless of cyclists, other dog walkers, other pedestrians, etc etc. Apparently I'm supposed to slow down, even though I get no trouble with anyone else. Right that's off my chest - roads - round here (Blackpool) they're the same mixed bag as most places and most drivers are great - the bad ones can be dealt with. The dangerous bit is the weeks it takes to a) work out which bits of road attract pillocks, b) work out how to deal with them or c) if all else fails, find another route. Get that over with and it's fine.

 

[I like Skol]

I almost never visit this section, because it's full of angry, aggressive posting. I find Current Affairs and Debates much more congenial.

Not from me! I love my urban, traffic filled commute. It's optional as I have the choice of 2 cars but will always jump on the bike unless it is absolutely pouring down with rain.

You're right though, there is a lot of bitter, resentful moaning from certain sections of the membership :-(

 

[Sara_H]

My commute is lovely. Mostly quiet back roads, two public parks and a smattering of off road shared paths. I only use main roads for short stretches and one of these has a bus/cycle lane that I can use.
The only section where I do get a lot of close passes I tend to keep a pre emptive strong primary to prevent close passes, and its for a very short period until we get to the next queue of cars, so I don't feel I'm holding any one up unneceserrily.

I have to say, even though I'd been cycling for many years, it wasn't til I started using this forum (and the commuting section in particular) that I learnt about cycle craft. I think I'm much safer thanks to this forum.
I mainly frequented commuting when I first discovered cyclechat, but eventually did start to feel that it's a little too testoterone fuelled for me so have bowed out to a certain extent. But, feel eternally grateful for the introduction to my learning a new set of skills that keep me and my son safe on the roads.

 

[Kies]

I cycle commute from the suburbs of west London into the city (square mile). Puts a smile on my face every time. Another who doesn't wear a helmet, yet I do when out on the best bike.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I'd rather commute by bike than use the tube.You have your good days and bad days.

I've got very early commutes next week so there wont be many tin boxes around.(no tube trains running either)

 

[ianrauk]

Commuting by bike is nowhere near as bad as some say and as some people seem to make it for them selves. And some people just like to get wound up and some people like to wind others up.

 

[gaz]

Search results show that you have visited this section at least 8 times before today. More rubbish coming out of your mouth?

 

[ohnovino]

An "incidents" sub-forum would make Commuting a much friendlier place. It's been suggested before and hasn't happened, so I won't hold my breath.