Is city commuting "really tiring"?

[WimbledonCyclist]

"Tiredness" comes in many ways. I guess that cycling in Beijing in mid-summer, with average daytime temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade, becomes tiring after a while. Also remember to factor in serious air pollution. In wintertime, the weather is also much more extreme than on our London roads, with temperatures easily reaching 20 degrees below freezing point.

Two things come to mind:
- electric bikes are great if you want to avoid getting sweaty, especially in a city of extreme temperatures like Beijing. Surely loads of people don't have access to a shower when they get to work. An electric bike is great to have in those circumstances.
- it seems to be human nature to aspire to something that's powered. If cars are too expensive or cumbersome, then motorbikes or their cheaper cousins, electric bicycles, are an option to escape the "poor man's choice" of the regular human-powered bike.

 

[MacB]

When I ride a 50km round Birmingham's outer circle No. 11 route, when I get home, I want a cup of coffee and ride the 50km again.

you're just being lazy and not working hard enough first time round

 

[jimboalee]

you're just being lazy and not working hard enough first time round

Nah.

Something to do with the 'fight or flight' hormone.

 

[hackbike 666]

I think it can be mentally tiring/ exhilarating - which can make you feel physically tired. If you are in heavy traffic you don't have an opportunity to switch off/relax even for a moment or two. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy little bits of quiet roads or cycle paths that may be my route.

Actually I was very tired yesterday {from work and a neighbour waking me up earlier than I wanted) and my commute home helped me recover from the sluggish way I felt.

 

[swee'pea99]

Never get tired - as others have said, quite the opposite. It's the tube used to make me sluggish. Cycling keeps me sprightly!

 

[hackbike 666]

I don't blame you.It must be a hell of a commute on the tube from Londinium to Bolton.

 

[jonny jeez]

I find "city commuting" very tiring, perhaps I have some chinese in me, or perhaps its because my commute is a 38-40 mile round trip.

To be specific, I find riding "to" the city to be very tiring, riding through it is more often much easier as the pace is slower, has plenty of stops and lots of shelter from the wind.

Trouble is (and maybe this is what "our man in Beijing" was referring to) it's the 15 or so miles leading up to the city...which I still cannot manage more than 3 times a week

I'm impressed with all you commuters who ride over 35 miles a day more than 3 days a week.

 

[gaz]

I'm impressed with all you commuters who ride over 35 miles a day more than 3 days a week.

what about 30 miles a day 5 days a week?

 

[hackbike 666]

what about 30 miles a day 5 days a week?

What about 7 day commutes?

 

[chap]

Pre-Meditation

My eye lit on this story, from a one-time cycle-friendly city (alas! less friendly now):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8538221.stm

For anybody who has read this article, and has seen those disgusting bug cars in London, close your eyes and imagine this:

Your city of choice at rush hour but almost free of cars, and Bug electric motors, with commuters travelling by bus, tram, bicycle, and electric bike.

Grid lock, and traffic jams a thing of the past, and many lampposts have cheap pay-as-you go (or contract ) docking stations - with proper secure locks - for quick battery charges, often placed conveniently near pubs, cafés, and other shops.

Then open your eyes, consult TheyWorkForYou.com, join a cycle organisation and play a part in order to hold them both accountable.

 

[automatic_jon]

I think urban riding is quite mentally tiring. On the intercity leg of my journey I just point myself at Southampton and pedal, where as once I hit town I have to look out for increased traffic, peds, lights, students, etc. I'm still aware of what's going on around me in the countryside, there's just not so much of it.

 

[chap]

I think urban riding is quite mentally tiring. On the intercity leg of my journey I just point myself at Southampton and pedal, where as once I hit town I have to look out for increased traffic, peds, lights, students, etc. I'm still aware of what's going on around me in the countryside, there's just not so much of it.

It can be on busy sections, although this would be the same if on electric bicycle. In fact, I would imagine that it could be worse given that you need to judge the machine.

 

[hackbike 666]

I don't think city cycling is too bad as the traffic seems calmer/slower if you know what I mean.

 

[661-Pete]

For anybody who has read this article, and has seen those disgusting bug cars in London, close your eyes and imagine this:

Your city of choice at rush hour but almost free of cars, and Bug electric motors, with commuters travelling by bus, tram, bicycle, and electric bike.

Grid lock, and traffic jams a thing of the past, and many lampposts have cheap pay-as-you go (or contract ) docking stations - with proper secure locks - for quick battery charges, often placed conveniently near pubs, cafés, and other shops.

Then open your eyes, consult TheyWorkForYou.com, join a cycle organisation and play a part in order to hold them both accountable.

Don't follow you, sorry. Why is this type of electric car "disgusting"? Or, at any rate, more "disgusting" than any other sort of car? And how do you get from that statement, to suggesting we lobby our MPs?

 

[chap]

Don't follow you, sorry. Why is this type of electric car "disgusting"? Or, at any rate, more "disgusting" than any other sort of car? And how do you get from that statement, to suggesting we lobby our MPs?

The aesthetics of the car is more a personal thing. The impracticability of it is another. What is encouraging however, is the swath of provisions that many London boroughs have made for them.

From this, I would deem the electric bicycle a better mode of transportation. Cars are not suited to the city, buses ought to replace them. However, should provisions of free or heavily subsidised electricity be made available, the electric bike would be workable.

The suggestion to join a cycle organisation as an active member is to improve the clout they have in influencing city planners and politicians. To take part in local politics, would be to indicate demand in ones constituency.