Why do you commute by bike?
- il padrone
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Why do you commute by bike?
Postby il padrone » Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:18 pm
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- RodneyOlsen
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby RodneyOlsen » Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:24 pm
I've got plenty of answers when colleagues ask why I commute by bike.
Keeps me fit.
Gives me a buffer between home and work and then between work and home.
Reduces stress.
So very much cheaper.
Gives me energy for the day.
Gives me an excuse to dress in lycra every day.
I could go on but I'll leave it there for now.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby zero » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:03 pm
The majority of Melbourne transport corridors are essentially dedicated to motor transport too, and Melbourne has vastly more ring-road/expensive highway arrangements than other cities. Can't construct their way out of this one, the only thing that will work is reduction of the size of the average single occupant box.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby rkelsen » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:35 pm
Funny thing is that when I was a car commuter, I used to feel sorry for cyclists. Now I see that they were right all along.
- ColinOldnCranky
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby ColinOldnCranky » Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:48 pm
Nowdays it is substantially recreation. I can mix it with public transport. And it gives me more than the minimum physical activity, which various problems with my aging body would not allow me to otherwise do. Extra exercise then means extra drinking and extra eating, both of which I like.
I ride in and out every working day, without exception. So I miss not being able to read or do crosswords or catch up on work during the trip in or out.
I can understand how others may not find it practical, and especially if there are no end of trip facilities.
- HappyHumber
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby HappyHumber » Tue Jul 05, 2011 6:15 pm
I was determined not to get used to peak hour traffic and I was determined not become part of the Live export trade aboard the Transperth Live Rat Carriers
I made it part of my routine. It's no more painful than anyone elses; but it has benefits.
The journey to and from work the most satisfaction & enjoyment I get out of my job. Why would I ruin that by driving?
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby markusm » Tue Jul 05, 2011 6:28 pm
Another reason is so no one can blame me for Juliar's carbon-its not a tax-tax
One comment I can't stand by motorists is "I pay rego I deserve to be on the road, you dont". Well I also pay THE SAME rego and my car sits in the driveway all week. Rego should somehow be based on how many km's you drive per year.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Chanboy » Tue Jul 05, 2011 6:54 pm
To be honest, most people in my office don't ask why I ride, they simply say they wish they could do... then make up some excuse for not riding...
Re markusm... I don't know how the carbon tax is going to work out (ie PAYE tax increase?)... but it will be really frustrating if I have to pay additional tax when I'm making significant efforts to reduce carbon foot print.
- Mugglechops
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Mugglechops » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:30 pm
If I drove it would take 11 minutes. We don't have peak hour and I only have 2 roundabouts and 1 giveway sign on the way.
- The Walrus
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Why do you commute by bike?
Postby The Walrus » Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:47 pm
I'm only 5 k's from my office so it hardly takes any more time to ride than drive.
I love the feeling of doing something positive and the fact I can take the long way home in summer and ride along the beach!
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Sydguy » Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:25 pm
Cycling is own pace, not the moron in front of you. It clears your mind and makes you feel good - the complete opposite of a car.
Not a fan of PT either, you put a lot of people together and they do stupid things, which depresses me. I honestly think people who stand in the yellow painted section on the train platform which says NO STANDING a dozen times should be beaten to within an inch of their lives and denied free health care.
Ohh and did I mention we should have compulsory community or military service???
JM
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Rhubarb » Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:06 pm
Is that enough?
- il padrone
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby il padrone » Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:00 pm
"You get too hot"
"You get too cold"
"You get wet"
"I'm not fit enough"
You hear all sorts of lame excuses get trotted out. The first thing to do is bite the bottom lip, HTFU and step outside.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- DaveOZ
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby DaveOZ » Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:33 am
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby rkelsen » Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:57 am
That's a big part of it for me too. It's almost like exercise by default.DaveOZ wrote:I commute because I need to keep fit and I hate running. Riding my bike to work is about the only spare time I can find.
It becomes part of your routine, meaning that you don't have to motivate yourself to do it. You have to get to work on time, and the alternatives are too inconvenient, too unreliable, too crowded or too expensive.
- il padrone
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby il padrone » Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:59 am
That's another good one that comes out. May as well just say "I want to die an early death"
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- RodneyOlsen
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby RodneyOlsen » Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:27 am
And in that one sentence you've summed it all up. All the rest is just detail.The Walrus wrote:I commute because it's stupid not to.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby jules21 » Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:09 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Crowella » Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:54 pm
It might mean that I have to catch the train to uni (100km one way) but the extra 45 mins I lose for travelling each way I make up in study meaning when I get home I can mostly relax... or ride even
Specialized Sirrus 2011
Avanti Quantum 2.0 2011
- MattyK
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby MattyK » Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:31 pm
Resumed after returning to Melbourne, when I was driving every day, but killed my car at a track day at Sandown (top of the hill) Never got around to buying another car...
So not the typical reasons that people give (fitness, health, environmentalism, speed) though I do enjoy it being cheaper.
- goneriding
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby goneriding » Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:56 pm
I achieved a bit of fitness and did a couple of trial runs into the CBD. Not too hard thinks I. First week 70 km's and a bit tired. Second week about the same, absolutely shattered. Third week, Twilight Zone. Things have improved since then and I:
1. seem to be able to shake off coughs/colds etc in a day or so.
2. am no longer traumatised by the disgusting Public Transport experience although the odd need to catch a train validates my cycle commuting.
3. am probably fitter than I was in my 20's.
4. find the commute in prepares me for the day ahead and the commute home removes all the mental garbage collected during the day.
- winstonw
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby winstonw » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:33 pm
"What does it cost you per week to own and operate your car/s?"
The great majority do not understand the opportunity cost of money, depreciation, difference between standing and operating costs.
Qld's RACQ does a regular Vehicle Running Cost analysis, the latest
http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/ca ... ning_costs
For 15,000km pa over 5 years,
a light car like a Toyota Yaris = $130/wk = $35,000 over 5 years = $50,000 pre tax dollars.
a medium car Ford Focus CL = $170/wk = $50,000 over 5 years = $75,000 pre tax dollars.
Then there's the cost of having off street garage at home, parking near work, etc.
Personally, I think a lot of 2 car families could get by with one, and a couple of bikes.
Then throw in money saved on gym membership = $1000pa.
Time saved by exercising - average car commuters spend 7-10% (60-90 minutes of 15-16 hours) of their week day awake hours sitting passively, achieving zero.
Cycle commuting provides opportunity to develop friendships with like mindeds, which makes cities feel smaller and warmer.
Public transport and cars rarely do this. In fact, public transport is annoying me more every year, with people playing loud music on ipods, swearing and shouting, leaving seats dirty, etc.
Then there's pollution and green house gas stuff.
Am sure there's a stack more reasons, and if cycle ways were better developed and safer, cycling numbers would increase dramatically.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby trailgumby » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:41 pm
Because I love the smell of car fumes in the mornings.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby BrisVegas » Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:24 pm
It's cheaper and just as fast as public transport.
To allow us to get rid of one of the cars.
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