Why wouldn't you commute by bike?

[HLaB]

1hr exercise (moderate or not) following by sitting at a desk unwashed is not nice.

I understand this as barrier others don't - good for them

On the continent people cycle more than we do in the UK to work and in hotter climates without the need for a shower, the big problem IMO is a lot of people are using lack of showers as an excuse not to do a 30-40 min cycle which is quite doable without a sweat.

 

[Amanda P]

The biggest inducement to cycle is seeing other people doing it.

Just by being seen on the road, still alive day after day, and (hopefully) looking as if you're enjoying yourself is what gets others on their bikes.

 

[jonny jeez]

I would have started commuting by bike a long time ago if it was only 6 miles. .

thats actually how we all got onto the subject, I would literally ride every day, rain snow or wind...if my commute was under 10 miles...I sometimes find it all a bit "long". I was chatting to a friend yesterday about this and we both agree that a 15-20 mile ride just becomes a bit "samey" after a while and is sometimes just a touch boring to undertake. I would love just to do the last half of my commute as its all in the city and us cyclists are the fastest thing on the road in town!

What ever happened to empathy. Did you ask your colleagues what they mean by cycling being to dangerous?

for like "ever"...we go around and around I'm afriad. It seems its not a debateable issue once their perception is set, there seems little I do can convince them otherwise. (Ive even offered to ride way out of my way to escort them for a few rides)

that said, I have enroled one friend who now sometimes rides further than I do (He lives up on Biggin hill with Bent mikey) but even he is reverting to running for excersise nowadays

 

[jonny jeez]

The health benefits of cycling outweigh the dangers by a factor of twenty to one. It a perceived danger not a real one.

correct, but perception is a tricky one to change.

 

[hackbike 666]

The health benefits of cycling outweigh the dangers by a factor of twenty to one. It a perceived danger not a real one.

Check out my recent videos...I could have ended my life recently...then the benefits of cycling and the two year extended life span do not apply.

 

[jonny jeez]

I'm not so sure cycling is seen to be nerdy....more like eccentric.

It's not normal for me in the eyes of my work colleagues to not own a car or the fact I have never owned one.

I think that is dependant on where (Or who) you work for.

In my old firm, it would literally have meant me losing my job (I am not exaggerating)

My current firm is massively impressed and even endorses it, but it possesses a very Pro-exercise pro-sports ethic, so riding 40 miles a day is seen as somewhat heroic.

odd how polarising the two companies views are

 

[Jezston]

The health benefits of cycling outweigh the dangers by a factor of twenty to one. It a perceived danger not a real one.

"I'll just go to the gym then"

 

[gaz]

thats actually how we all got onto the subject, I would literally ride every day, rain snow or wind...if my commute was under 10 miles...I sometimes find it all a bit "long". I was chatting to a friend yesterday about this and we both agree that a 15-20 mile ride just becomes a bit "samey" after a while and is sometimes just a touch boring to undertake. I would love just to do the last half of my commute as its all in the city and us cyclists are the fastest thing on the road in town!

I choose my route depending on my mood. if i want to set a fast time. then i will pick some faster stretches of road with less traffic lights. If i want to do some climbing then i will add in a few hills.

I think the great thing about living 15+ miles away, is you have so many more options without adding much distance on. If i get bored of a certain route, i will look for a new one.

 

[Brains]

Too much effort (but they spend hours in the gym each week)

No showers (I kind of sympathise as I wouldn't want to work without having freshened up)

Where is the Gym ?
Gyms have showers and lockers !

 

[hackbike 666]

I think that is dependant on where (Or who) you work for.

In my old firm, it would literally have meant me losing my job (I am not exaggerating)

My current firm is massively impressed and even endorses it, but it possesses a very Pro-exercise pro-sports ethic, so riding 40 miles a day is seen as somewhat heroic.

odd how polarising the two companies views are

Yes I can understand that.

"I'll just go to the gym then"

Yes I'd find it bloody difficult being hit by a lorry in the gym....a dumbbell may do the trick though.

 

[Riding in Circles]

When I either expand the premisses or move next year I am putting a shower it, that is the only pain about where I am at the moment.

 

[summerdays]

What about challenging one of them to cycle in once - with you with them... pick a nice sunny day (but not a baking hot one) ... stop off at the pub afterwards where they can have a drink on their way home (depending on their skill level shown on the way in!) etc.

Tell them to take baby wipes if they are really worried about smelling offensive.

 

[swee'pea99]

Where I live, in trendy Norf London, far from being seen as nerdy, cycling is very much The Done Thing. Most of my (male) contemporaries cycle the seven or eight miles into town every day. I've never heard anyone bemoan it as being dangerous. I must admit I do miss my showers (the place I go is being refurbished) but fortunately we have a sink in the office, so I just strip off and go for it with an old t-shirt. No complaints so far...

As to answering objections: "I had a full health & fitness checkup recently, and was told my levels of fitness 'would be unusually good in a 20 year old'. I'm 49."

 

[Dan B]

While we're talking about London, my experience is that on a hot day you will arrive at work less sweaty after cycling a few miles than if you take the tube. Especially if it's at all humid.

 

[BentMikey]

First time I've ever heard cycling described as nerdy!!