Why did you start cycle commuting?

[HJ]

It is that time of year again where people start making resolutions to get fit. One good way to get fit is cycling to and from work, so let give them a bit of inspiration by telling them about what got us in to cycle commuting.

I first started serious cycle commuting having sold my car as a student (full story here) and have stopped. Now, I hate the idea that I might one day be forced to buy another car.

 

[simoncc]

I cycled to school from age 7. I did a morning paper round on my bike from 13-18 as well as cycling to school. I took my bike to university. Then I got a job and I cycled to work.

 

[swee'pea99]

Money. Now I do it for fun. And the money certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[HLaB]

I used to live in Dublin and most folk in our office cycled, so I guess I just followed.

 

[downfader]

Started at school, did the little test and began on the roads at about 14. Read the highway code as a kid too... Kept doing it until I was about 21-22 because of money, only to restart it shortly later because it was fun, kept me fit and was cheap...ish.

Then my father had a heart attack last year and nearly died - kind of reitterated why I should keep doing it, family history and all that.

 

[another_dave_b]

I started cycling to get fit, as part of a giving up smoking effort. (After 2 weeks my non-smoker zeal was fading, and I thought an exercise jag might give me another reason to stay off the the ciggies. Worked so far )

 

[Aperitif]

South West trains and their contents...also the cost of fares.

 

[gavintc]

I have always cycled, walked or run to work. Reasons; lack of parking, fitness, speed.

 

[palinurus]

Didn't have any other way of getting to work (early enough), figured I'd get a car eventually, never needed to in the end.

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Necessity, cost & expanding waistline.

Plus I really hate driving!

 

[snakehips]

A few years ago I had a very bad back , a physio recommended cycling.
I started commuting and never regretted it.
I subsequently moved on to other forms of cycling

Snake

 

[Iainj837]

I started cycle because it was a necessity, because of my epileptic seizures I couldn't drive for 12 months.
I bought a bike a Claud Butler Odyssey which was a really good buy, then work started a bike to work scheme which I took advantage of and bought my present bike a Raleigh Pioneer Venture I now have a van but I rarely use it in fact it can stay on the drive for upto a week and only use it when realy need it

 

[skids]

Stared cycle commuting back in 1985 when I was a 16.5 stone 23 year old and had to do some exercise to get some weight off. Now an 11.5 stone 46 year old and still cycle commuting.

 

[In trouble]

To keep my precious wages from the grubby mitts of Gordon Brown, in the guise of petrol duty!!!!!!!! HA!!!!!!!

 

[cycling fisherman]

As an unfit, overweight spotty school kid. When i was 16 and started work I could'nt afford a 50cc motorbike so had to ride to work which was roughly a 15-16 mile round trip, I did this for 6 months or so and was hooked because of the weight loss.

But then i got a car got lazy etc etc, 10-12 years passed, I was 21 stone last April and now i'm down to 17 stone my goal is about 15, and vow to keep going Its the first time this time round i am cycling right through the winter.

Just bought a new bike as well and can't wait to have it delivered !

So it was all to do with the fact i was 16 and needed to get to work and i am so glad that i was hooked back then when i was 16...