Pressure from family to pack it in - Cycle Commuting ?

[MacB]

It's a personal thing and you'll deal with it as appropriate, there's never a right answer when the 'think of the children' argument is wheeled out. Most of us suffer from it somehow/somewhere and we have our own risk assessments and tolerance levels. My wife is fine with me riding but wouldn't be fine with me doing something like free climbing or downhill, which is ok as there's no danger of that happening.

Maybe you could try explaining that most of your risk comes from keeping your momentum going so that you can average 19.1mph on fixed. So you'll slow down, or go singlespeed, to reduce the risk level

 

[Moodyman]

Mrs was little worried when I started, but we live off one of the main arterial routes into the city centre, so she sees lots of other cyclists. She doesn't think it's so bad now, though she'd rather I caught the train when it rains.

 

[paulw1969]

From what you have said i think its a no brainer, the family will have come to terms with your need to cycle And if i were averaging 19.1 mph up and down dale theres no way anyone would persuade me other wise
I also suspect the legal case hanging over you for the last 3 years has not helped one little bit....i know how these things can put a strain on family life and your own sanity whether fighting for or against.....lets hope it concludes sooner rather than later so you ccan get out without the cloud hanging over you.
Personally i'm new to this all over again.........the wife thinks wearing a lid will prevent major accident ....so be it.....and the kids couldn't give a toss anyway so thats me sorted.....just need to ride defensively and look out for the morons i guess

ATB

 

[jefmcg]

I've been thinking about this over the last few weeks. My active alert mother has been struck down with a stroke/bleed from which she may not recover. I'm about to head home to lend a hand, and mentioned my cycling might be useful for getting to the hospital (nearest available parking is a mile or two away), "Please don't cycle" says my father, "it's too dangerous".

Then I remembered. 20+ years ago my mother, who had cycled as a girl, had expressed interest in starting cycling again. She didn't know about gears, so was relieved to learn that you didn't have to stand on the pedals to get it moving. Anyway, I turned up the next weekend to give her a first lesson, and it turned out my father told her it was too dangerous, and she decided against it.

So what's the biggest thing that you can do to prevent strokes etc? Cardiovascular fitness. I'm now wondering if my mother had taken up cycling in her fifties, that she'd still be well. Her sister (not a cyclist either) is still active and independent (living 100km from her nearest relative) at 91.

Of course, everyone notices the sudden tragic accident at 35, but it's harder to realise that cycling caused you to not die at 70.

 

[dhd.evans]

My wife appreciates that riding to work gives me great exercise without having to take time away from the family to fit it in.

Without exercise I am prone to getting depressed and overweight, so I am no good to anyone and damaging my health without it.

+2 on this.

That said my accident in January (car crossed my path, over the bonnet into the deck) did scare my OH a little and she was concerned that I might get back in the saddle too quickly. I guess she correlates my (supposedly) reckless driving with how I cycle!

 

[jonny jeez]

I previously rode around on a 955cc motorbike, so relatively speaking it is alot safer on a bicycle. .

I agree...I'd actually go further and say it is much, much safer (and I feel much safer) riding a cycle in town as opposed my motorcycle.

that said i never really feel unsafe on the motorbike (I really enjoy riding it!), I'm just aware that my peripheral vision is lower, the bike is heavier and everything has the capacity to happen much faster...including a drop

 

[fossyant]

Maybe you could try explaining that most of your risk comes from keeping your momentum going so that you can average 19.1mph on fixed. So you'll slow down, or go singlespeed, to reduce the risk level

I've gone fixed to slow the top end speed - it's hard going much faster than 24 mph on the flat with a tail wind. You can get much higher on a road bike, and downhill. 43 mph on the road bike on one hil, 32 pedalling my booty off on the fixed.

 

[fossyant]

Best wishes to your mother jefmcg. Both my parents and wife's parent's haven't exercised - my dad played rugby up until early 20's. Lets say my FIL and MIL aren't in the best of health now (heart lungs etc), and my folks have blood pressure issues. My sister only really took up exercise classes in the last year - she's shifted a heck of a lot of weight. My other sister is also doing 'classes'. Only me and my brother are sporty - he's taken up running and is pretty good, sub 38 minute 10k's, but it's much "safer" than cycling.

 

[helston90]

My wifes main concern is loosing her lie in- with two very young un's I tend to get up and deal with them in the morning but if I'm riding I leave 15/20 mins earlier and it 'ruins our routine'.

She does though at the same time appreciate my additional fitness and cost saving compared to car so is pretty laid back about it- infact I think she worries more when I surf at weekends than commuting in the week.

I was brought up in a cycling family with a mum who actively campaigns for better routes in our area so no pressure from them, just my little brother for who cycling's not as 'cool' as his 2 litre turbo chav mobile!

 

[smutchin]

My wife used to drive to work twice a week and was once hospitalised by some twerp rear-ending her on the motorway, driving too fast in appalling conditions. Even before the accident, I'd tried to persuade her to travel by alternative means - for various reasons, not just the danger - but her work location was awkward to get to by public transport.

I understand why she feels anxious about me cycling in central London, even though I've never had a serious accident while cycle commuting. It's funny that she probably wouldn't feel so anxious if I were driving to work every day, even though a serious accident would be statistically more likely.

She wouldn't dream of trying to stop me cycling though. She knows I'm an experienced and careful cyclist. And she appreciates that I enjoy it and that it makes me fitter.

d.

 

[compo]

Mrs. Compo encourages me to get out on my bike. I don't know what she gets up to when I am out!

 

[PpPete]

No pressure in our (immediate) family. I work from home, she cycle commutes (14 mile round trip).
Strangely, my mother, who never said a word about my cycling all over as a child and as a young adult before I could afford a car, didnt want my son (17 years old, already done an E2E and thinking of another) to ride the 20 miles to see them.

 

[sabian92]

Lastly, we have lost friends who took no risks, lived safe lives and were just "unlucky", so I suspect she lives life a little like me and appreciates that I cold buy the farm just crossing the road...or walking onto a football pitch

Indeed. My mother died when I was young - she was somebody who lived a very safe life who was taken from my family by meningitis. You can't not live your life because of the "what ifs", because if you do, you shouldn't bother getting out of bed in the morning.

My dad doesn't really seem to bother - he used to ride a lot himself when he was younger. He understands that i'm careful and the fact I can drive probably helps too.

My fiancee worries a lot when I go out, especially after hearing about me nearly getting taken out by a bus but she knows that i'm careful.

I would worry as well to be honest if I was in her shoes to be honest.

 

[BrumJim]

I would worry as well if I was in her shoes to be honest.

Why? High heels?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I play the already minimal risks down to the lovely Helen, who does worry, especially if she knows I'm riding in London that day. But she'd rather me thin(ner) and happy than fat(ter) and miserable and doesn't object to the significant financial savings made via cycling to work.