Why do you commute by bike?
- Thread starter NigC
- Start date
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RyanW
The abominable Bikeman
- Location
- Ashford, Kent
Simple Bus = £1.20 each way, Car = Hastle, traffic jams, Petrol and finding a space, Bike = Free, Free and Free
Why? Because I like it, that's why. I enjoy it so much more than sitting in a stuffy tube carriage and trying to avoid eye contact with the guy sitting in front of me, or worse still, standing for 45 minutes in my high heels, holding on to the rails for dear life and twisting my neck to keep away from someone's smelly armpits. Honestly, if you live in London, cycling is the only way to remain sane. Even with all those shouting cabbies, bus drivers trying to push you into the kerb and aggressive drivers who think they're always right, cycling is so much more pleasant than using public transport.
A car was never an option - first of all, I don't even have a driver's licence, and secondly, there's many nicer things to do than being stuck in traffic.
Exercise is important, too. I go to the gym 3 times a week, I swim once a week, so I'd still be OK without cycling, but I'd miss it a lot.
Oh, and saving time is vital, too. I save around 30 minutes a day - enough to have a cup of tea, read a chapter of a book or have a chat with my sis on the phone.
A car was never an option - first of all, I don't even have a driver's licence, and secondly, there's many nicer things to do than being stuck in traffic.
Exercise is important, too. I go to the gym 3 times a week, I swim once a week, so I'd still be OK without cycling, but I'd miss it a lot.
Oh, and saving time is vital, too. I save around 30 minutes a day - enough to have a cup of tea, read a chapter of a book or have a chat with my sis on the phone.
I ride the bike out of habit (similar commute for the last 20 years or so) plus using a car for a 2 mile trip each way in rush hour is a sure fire way to wear the car out rather more quickly than necessary. Cycling also keeps the spare tyre to a reasonable size, allows me to relax between home and work/work and home and I enjoy it - whatever the weather.
skudupnorth
Cycling Skoda lover
- Location
- Astley,Manchester
It takes the same time if not quicker to do my same work journey by bike than by car and of course i am saving loads,getting fit and helping save the planet !
swee'pea99
Legendary Member
Speaking as a Londoner, 'saves money' would be a good option to offer. Cars really aren't an option for any but the super-rich, but even the public transport costs are around £100 a month, so saving that is certainly a factor.
hackbike 666
Guest
I dislike the tube immensly.
Trevrev
Veteran
- Location
- Southampton
EXERCISE !!!!!.......yeah !!!
Although, i had to drive to work today for the first time in ages......It was bleak.....
Although, i had to drive to work today for the first time in ages......It was bleak.....
Hacienda71
Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
- Location
- Wilmslow, Cheshire
Good exercise, i enjoy it and am lucky enough to cycle through some very picturesque countryside.
1) It's 15 minutes faster than walking to/from the station and taking the train.
2) A travelcard costs £760/year, and after the year I've got nothing to show for it. A bike costs a similar amount (I allow it to...) but after a year, I still have a bike!
3) Exercise. I think nothing of cycling from south-west to north-east London to meet up with friends after work. Someone's girlfriend suggested I was weird. I think she's weird -- she was out of breath after walking from the tube station platform to the street. I think everyone else is weird too. They'd rather sit on buses in traffic or take rush-hour trains instead of zipping along the backstreets.
2) A travelcard costs £760/year, and after the year I've got nothing to show for it. A bike costs a similar amount (I allow it to...) but after a year, I still have a bike!
3) Exercise. I think nothing of cycling from south-west to north-east London to meet up with friends after work. Someone's girlfriend suggested I was weird. I think she's weird -- she was out of breath after walking from the tube station platform to the street. I think everyone else is weird too. They'd rather sit on buses in traffic or take rush-hour trains instead of zipping along the backstreets.
Matthames
Über Member
- Location
- East Sussex
Firstly, exercise. I wanted a cheap way and easy way of loosing weight and improving my fitness that I can commit to. Walking being too slow for me and the places I usually go to are not really at a suitable walking distance. Because of my disability I get free bus travel, however I hate having to rely on the buses.
It is also better for the environment as a bike is a zero carbon emitter, runs on bio fuels and the bio fuel does not take away from food crop. Being veggie means that the fuel I use is really very low impact.
I enjoy cycling, the speed gets me to places I wouldn't be able to do by foot, I also like the endorphine glow you get when you have been out cycling.
I put something else, I had a motorcycle licence, but that had to go back to the DVLA because of a medical condition. This has left me with limited transport options.
It is also better for the environment as a bike is a zero carbon emitter, runs on bio fuels and the bio fuel does not take away from food crop. Being veggie means that the fuel I use is really very low impact.
I enjoy cycling, the speed gets me to places I wouldn't be able to do by foot, I also like the endorphine glow you get when you have been out cycling.
I put something else, I had a motorcycle licence, but that had to go back to the DVLA because of a medical condition. This has left me with limited transport options.
