So why doesn't everybody (who is able to) do it?

[crow_bag]

The main thing that has kept me from bike riding over the last 10 years or so since I left college is a lack of confidence. And some experiences I've had with the morons that pretend they can drive whilst in my car haven't helped. Not having the money for a bike was also a good excuse, but even after I was given an old bike I still preferred to drive or walk the 1.5mi to work rather than drive. It's only now I've moved work and I'm looking at a 14mi round trip that I've decided to start commuting again, mainly to save money on petrol.

 

[al78]

I think part of the problem is that in this country, a shiny-looking car is associated in the popular imagination with high-status, weath, class, etc, whereas the bicycle is associated with words like "hippie", "freeloader", "eco-warrior" and "bum".

I have no idea where that attitude comes from, it's completely different on the continent. A trip to Heidelberg, for example, will show you that the Germans have a totally different attitude to cycling. There, it is considered a good way of staying fit and healthy and lots of people do it.

Consumerism.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I have no idea where that attitude comes from, it's completely different on the continent.

Perhaps there isn't enough stigma attached to being unfit and overweight.

 

[John90]

The main thing that has kept me from bike riding over the last 10 years or so since I left college is a lack of confidence. And some experiences I've had with the morons that pretend they can drive whilst in my car haven't helped. Not having the money for a bike was also a good excuse, but even after I was given an old bike I still preferred to drive or walk the 1.5mi to work rather than drive. It's only now I've moved work and I'm looking at a 14mi round trip that I've decided to start commuting again, mainly to save money on petrol.

Cycling is perceived as dangerous by most non-cylcists I think. Arguably the cycling community may bear a bit of responsibility for that perception - see the helmet threads (if you dare). Also see the 'cyclist down' threads. I wonder (and doubt) if chat forums for car enthusiasts and hikers have threads for 'motorist crashed' or 'pedestrian hit'. If they did there probably wouldn't be room for any other subjects.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Cycling is perceived as dangerous by most non-cylcists I think. Arguably the cycling community may bear a bit of responsibility for that perception - see the helmet threads (if you dare). Also see the 'cyclist down' threads. I wonder (and doubt) if chat forums for car enthusiasts and hikers have threads for 'motorist crashed' or 'pedestrian hit'. If they did there probably wouldn't be room for any other subjects.

I think if you spend a lot of time on cycle forums you get a twisted picture of what its like out there, as you say the helmet threads, the rider down threads and people using the forums to sound off because they have had what they consider to be a near miss, you rarely get threads about how boringly routine their commutes have been, 99% of my commutes are just that, routine.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I don't find those "cyclist down" threads at all helpful (or interesting). All they do is make anyone casually browsing the forum and thinking about taking up cycling think "jesus, it sounds dangerous". And, with the greatest respect to those injured or killed, I'm not about to post "RIP" about someone I never knew and was unlikely ever to meet. It all just strikes me as a bit weird and slightly sick, to be honest. As John90 says, car forums don't do the same thing. Even the truck drivers' forum I used to post on didn't do it.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Maybe we should all say "I arrived at work fine" every morning for shoots and giggles and watch the topic count




Anyway...

Assumptions don't help.

It's dangerous, its hard, its wet, its cold, its hot, its costly, its slower, its too hilly, too many potholes, I dont have enough time (yet will sit and watch shoot TV all evening etc)... blah blah.