Pedal Power - The Unstoppable Growth of Cycling

[Racing roadkill]

Would be interesting to know what measurement they were using. Surveys available on the web (TFL / government) that I can find show actual numbers of cyclists increasing dramatically since 2001, but the % of the population commuting by bike staying fairly constant.

All depends how you want to present the statistics.

32.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

 

[mjr]

32.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

And 100% of people posting things like that are nobbers Let's base things on evidence rather than prejudices, eh?

Would be interesting to know what measurement they were using.

Yes, it would be interesting to know if it has any evidence. Overall cyclist numbers are estimated annually (Sport England's Active People Survey) but the main commuting cyclist measure is only every 10 years in the Census. The Active People Survey differentiates "recreational" and "utility" cycling, but "recreational" has increased by 0.1% of the population in a year while "utility" has changed less than 0.1%. It doesn't differentiate commuting from quaxing from other utility reasons.

 

[subaqua]

I actually disagree with this. What do they base that assertion on?
Every year I see more and more cyclists on my commute. Yourself on your commute, which I can imagine has far more cycle commuters then mine, must have seen an increase over the years too.

that's why I posted as on one hand the beeb are saying things have increased , then do an article saying it hasn't .

I have seen a massive increase in cycling commuters ,even at silly o clock like I normally do. ( have been lazy recently and started leaving at 06.30 !! )

 

[Markymark]

For so very many reason, including cycling commuting, London is different to the rest of the UK. Here, the numbers are increasing.

 

[mjr]

Does anyone else think the BBC article has a nasty undertone suggesting the newcomers are better than the evil old cyclists they've been complaining about for years? Like not having cycled lately is a good thing: "After doing next to no exercise for two decades, I bought a road bike in 2012", "I didn't own an adult bike until was 28", "took up cycling when he was 51", "bought his first road bike when he was 40"...

And finally, if anyone is obsessed with times and constant improvement and other BS, either you'll get over that when you hit your peak, or you'll become depressed at your descent into illness and/or old age... I suggest getting over it is more beneficial

 

[Dogtrousers]

Does anyone else think the BBC article has a nasty undertone suggesting the newcomers are better than the evil old cyclists they've been complaining about for years? Like not having cycled lately is a good thing: "After doing next to no exercise for two decades, I bought a road bike in 2012", "I didn't own an adult bike until was 28", "took up cycling when he was 51", "bought his first road bike when he was 40"...

And finally, if anyone is obsessed with times and constant improvement and other BS, either you'll get over that when you hit your peak, or you'll become depressed at your descent into illness and/or old age... I suggest getting over it is more beneficial

I see no nasty undertone, it's an article about people who have taken up cycling: "Will Smale takes a look at the reasons why an ever growing number of people, both men and women, are taking up the sport." So it concentrates on ... people who have just take it up. This is new year resolution season. Time for silly articles about people who resolve to start doing things, or stop doing other things, or whatever.

As to targets and performance. What's the big deal? Why on earth shouldn't people measure and try to improve their performance? Me, I try to do longer rides - but I have no problem with people who concentrate of speed. I quite admire them as (IMO) it takes harder work to increase your speed than just to build the ability to endure going just as slowly for longer, which is what I do.

 

[summerdays]

I don't really care why someone's bum is sat on a saddle as long as they haven't stolen it. We need all sorts of cyclists to the point where it becomes unremarkable to cycle (rather than BE a cyclist). I think it is difficult to measure growth as there are so many different routes available and people cycling will tend to favour the quieter back routes. I know I do in some places just for time away from traffic.

I know that one of the last times I wanted to shopping in the town centre I was going around in circles trying to find a rack with a space in it, trying to think of the less well used ones, but all were taken despite the weather being lousy that day, so I'd say it's still increasing here.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Cycle commuting definitely increasing here too: when I started 4 years ago I rarely met another cyclist until reaching town, now there are plenty.
I noticed a lot of women too, by the bike and their gear is obvious they are utilitarian riding, not club racing or training.
I work shifts, seems to me the cycling has increased also out of the traditional 8/6 commuting hours.
Maybe people have started to realize the bike is more reliable than public transport if you live in the outskirts.

 

[mjr]

As to targets and performance. What's the big deal? Why on earth shouldn't people measure and try to improve their performance?

No problem with that - my complaint was with those who obsess over it, suggest to others that they should mimic them, post their target in their message footers and so on. At some point, a person will reach their limit and if improvement is all that keeps you going, you might give up, or push yourself too far and do yourself a mischief!

I quite admire them as (IMO) it takes harder work to increase your speed than just to build the ability to endure going just as slowly for longer, which is what I do.

I don't admire people basically just for being healthy and applying themselves. So they're faster than someone with a chronic illness. Whoopee(!)

I do admire proper racers though - there's some skill involved in racing, in addition to a capacity for work.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Whatever happened to @blazed mate Pony?

 

[Spinney]

No problem with that - my complaint was with those who obsess over it, suggest to others that they should mimic them, post their target in their message footers and so on. At some point, a person will reach their limit and if improvement is all that keeps you going, you might give up, or push yourself too far and do yourself a mischief!


I don't admire people basically just for being healthy and applying themselves. So they're faster than someone with a chronic illness. Whoopee(!)

I do admire proper racers though - there's some skill involved in racing, in addition to a capacity for work.

In my case, I post a target in the hope that it will shame me into getting my lazy arse out of the house on drizzly or grey days - not because I have any pretensions whatsoever at being a super-fit pedalling machine!

 

[mustang1]

In my younger years I was perfectly happy being a lonely cyclist and occasionally spotting another cyclist where we would sometimes stop and have a chat. There was no need for bike lanes or this so called "safety in numbers". I could hop into the sidewalk and whizz thru red lights without anyone batting an eye lid.

Now, its become fashionable and expensive so I found another hobby which I'll keep to myself, lest that becomes popular too.

 

[Accy cyclist]

You wouldn't think cycling was on the increase if you went to Blackpool yesterday. I drove and walked through the town/resort and saw three cyclists in 2 hours. The place is as flat as a pancake but all the lazy beggars are driving!

 

[Racing roadkill]

In my younger years I was perfectly happy being a lonely cyclist and occasionally spotting another cyclist where we would sometimes stop and have a chat. There was no need for bike lanes or this so called "safety in numbers". I could hop into the sidewalk and whizz thru red lights without anyone batting an eye lid.

Now, its become fashionable and expensive so I found another hobby which I'll keep to myself, lest that becomes popular too.

Very true, is your new hobby fishing?

 

[Brandane]

You wouldn't think cycling was on the increase if you went to Blackpool yesterday. I drove and walked through the town/resort and saw three cyclists in 2 hours. The place is as flat as a pancake but all the lazy beggars are driving!

Fed up getting wheels caught in tram lines?
Wind? Rain?
Punctures from discarded needles?
The overpowering, vomit inducing smell of chips, hot dogs, and candy floss?
Yes, Blackpool is "different"!