What Stops Commuters from cycling?

[Phil Fly]

What stops Joe Average from commuting by bike?
With all the technical advances being made in most fields why hasn't anyone come up with a cheap solution to cycling in wet weather? Most of us don't have the luxury of showers or changing rooms at work and are unable to spend 150pounds on wet weather gear when a cheap cycle cape can be bought for #20pounds. There must be a solution to keep feet and legs dry and let you arrive at work in reasonable shape, not as a sweat ball.
Anyone any suggestions???
(Yes I know -go by bus)

 

[MissTillyFlop]

What stops Joe Average from commuting by bike?
With all the technical advances being made in most fields why hasn't anyone come up with a cheap solution to cycling in wet weather? Most of us don't have the luxury of showers or changing rooms at work and are unable to spend 150pounds on wet weather gear when a cheap cycle cape can be bought for #20pounds. There must be a solution to keep feet and legs dry and let you arrive at work in reasonable shape, not as a sweat ball.
Anyone any suggestions???
(Yes I know -go by bus)

Rainlegs?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainlegs-Bl...QRC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319124778&sr=8-1

 

[ianrauk]

Because cycling takes some effort.


It's not the weather, that's just another excuse. People would rather stick to their metal boxes.

 

[snailracer]

According to most surveys, it's fear of traffic.
Most non-cycle commuters don't think much about the rain, they think raincoats work fine for that.

 

[Hip Priest]

I'd imagine it's a combination of things. An exaggerated fear of the dangers involved being the main one. Distance another. Most people I work with consider my 4.5 mile e/w commute to be some sort of herculean feat.

 

[montyboy]

50 miles at the begining and end of the day would prove too much for me.

 

[gaz]

You think getting wet is the turn off? Maybe to people looking for an easy excuse. The wind is the real killer.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I agree with ianrauk. I don't care what people say in surveys, the truth is that most people don't cycle, because it's hard and takes effort. (At least a first!)

I honestly believe that inmost people were forced to commute in for a week, about half of them would commute in again through choice. It's getting over that first hurdle.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I never used to commute every day because;

1. 36 miles 5 days a weeks was too much for me
2. Very bad weather
3. Carrying stuff in and no panniers at the time
4. Needed to be in too early
5. Staying too late.
6. Can't have a drink after work
7. Weather changed for the worse over night and no wet weather clothes ready
8. Could think of better early morning exercise than cycling
9. Over slept
10. Travelling about during the day

 

[Cubist]

You think getting wet is the turn off? Maybe to people looking for an easy excuse. The wind is the real killer.

This^^^^

In fact, I'm perfectl happy that my waterproof jacket will keep me resonably dry.

My windproof however is a crock of shoot. I've written a grumpy letter to Dare2be because I wore it the other day and it didn't make a shoot of difference to the headwind.

 

[Moodyman]

You think getting wet is the turn off? Maybe to people looking for an easy excuse. The wind is the real killer.

Indeed it is. Except on cyclists know this.

It's odd isn't it that all the perceived issues by non-cyclists are actually non-issues to us.

 

[snorri]

My windproof however is a crock of shoot. I've written a grumpy letter to Dare2be because I wore it the other day and it didn't make a shoot of difference to the headwind.

Take a seat there Cubist, find a comfy one, I have an explanation for you regarding the windproof jacket, but it could take a little time and you'll have to concentrate very hard.

Now, if you are ready I'll begin................................

 

[lukesdad]

Too lazy.

 

[smokeysmoo]

The wind is the real killer.

Yep, I'd far rather be wet than battered by the wind

 

[funnymummy]

I used to cycle to work, when I worked at the school my boys go to - we would all cycle in togther, but since moving to a new school I found it pretty much impossible... The earliest I can drop my bubbas at their school is 7.45, for all of us to cycle meant we would have to leave the house before 7.15.. Far too early for them, I tried driving them to school in the car, with my bike on the bcak, then riding from there to my school, but to get to work reday to start at 8.15 was nigh on impossible..Yes I could get there in time, but as a soogy heap, and no time to shower & change.

Most people I work with consider my 4.5 mile e/w commute to be some sort of herculean feat.

On the times I do cycle in.. when my bubs have had Inset Day etc, I find the folk I work with have excatly the same response...when I mentioned once that i'd done a 72 mile Sportive the previous weekend, some of them were completly open mouthed & horrified