Why do you commute by bike?
- find_bruce
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby find_bruce » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:41 pm
It seems the only thing they hate more than me occupying any piece of "their" road is the twisty windy downhill bit where they can't catch me - I may be old and fat, but I am only old fat and slow on the uphill bits.
The reality of course is a bit less dramatic - because I can, it's quicker, cheaper, more convenient, good exercise, I have a safe route, I have showers & storage at work.
- martinjs
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby martinjs » Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:49 pm
49 years of age and feeling better then I did 5 years ago, riding to me is a means to an end, long life and happiness and so for it's working in spades.
Martin
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby discrepancy » Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:18 pm
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Why do you commute by bike?
Postby themerlin » Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:15 pm
I need to off set carbon by sticking it in frame.
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Why do you commute by bike?
Postby themerlin » Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:16 pm
- goneriding
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby goneriding » Mon Jul 11, 2011 2:22 pm
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-commut ... 1h9gx.html
this cements it!
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/major-train-d ... 1hacz.html
- Marto
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Marto » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:59 am
20km in, 22km home. There is not some tectonic shift every day, but I go a different way to avoid some dodgy right turns etc.themerlin wrote:How far is your ride to work anyway?
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby waynohh » Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:50 pm
Average speed by car: 20km/h
Add showers to that and it takes the exact same time about 1 hr.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Comedian » Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:17 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby BRLVR.v2 » Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:36 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby martinjs » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:56 pm
Just a quick follow up re some others reasons, being in a country town and although I'm only 7.5k's from work, here at least anyone at my distance or further out would be quicker if they went by car or motorcycle due to our roads being mostly 100kph speed limit and lack of congestion.martinjs wrote:Good question!, fear of dieing young, fear of old age and the the feeling of being alive cycling gives me.
49 years of age and feeling better then I did 5 years ago, riding to me is a means to an end, long life and happiness and so for it's working in spades.
Martin
So other than fitness and saving money on car, I actually lose time by riding to work. Harder to convince out of townies to commute by pushbike.
My morning ride is between 20 to 30k's so I have to go out of town more to get the wanted distance. Not such a bad thing.
Martin
Martin
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Hamster » Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:51 pm
1. Fitness;
2. Health;
3. Saves Time;
4. Saves Money
Let me explain. The fitness reason is obvious, nothing like peddling a heavy mountain bike for developing the heart, lungs and legs. I have see far too many guys younger than me come down with all sorts of life-style related health problems.
Almost 10 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with all the associated health issues (obstructive sleep apena, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and failing kidneys) . Currently, apart from the blood pressure medication I am off all medication. The bike isn’t the only reason for the turnaround but it is a large part of the reason.
Well riding the bike turns a 30 minute drive into a 45 minute cycle so I’m actually down ½ an hour per day. However I have achieved my daily exercise so no need to go to a gym or for a walk or anything else. All things considered riding the bike is at worst time-neutral and probably saves time.
As I still own a car so the only savings I get are less fuel, reduced wear & tear and less frequent servicing. On the cost side there is bike servicing, clothing, replacement tyres, tubes etc. I figure that riding is probably only cost neutral. However, I don’t need to join a gym and taking a longer-term view the economic benefits of being healthier far outweigh the cost of an occasional bike tyre.
Oh, a fifth reason is that the sunrises over Moreton Bay can be truly magnificent.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Lizzy » Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:36 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Xponti » Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:27 pm
Because I own a bike
Because I would rather ride in the rain than ride in a train
Because it keeps me fit
But most of all BECAUSE I CAN!
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Mugglechops » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:40 pm
I went back to one car and one motorbike in 2008, then last year I went to 1 car. My wife drives the whole 3kms to work (she only works 2 week days so I use the car if I need it)while I ride 13km. Still can't convince her to start cycling.Oxford wrote:Absolutely, took some convincing with the wife, but we became albeit for a month, a one car, one motorbike (me only) plus bikes (me only) family. We are buying a second car again but the current car will go to a daughter taking us back to where I want to be. One Car, One Motorbike. Car for wifey as she has no transport options and is on 24hr call, moto and bikes for me (and for me to take wifey for fun weekend rides on the moto).winstonw wrote:Of course, this question should be answered with a question:
"What does it cost you per week to own and operate your car/s?"
<snip>
Am sure there's a stack more reasons, and if cycle ways were better developed and safer, cycling numbers would increase dramatically.
Going back to having a moto soon because I miss having one. Will just be a weekend toy though and not a commuter.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby il padrone » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:05 pm
Forget cycling, that is walking distance. Get her to do it - for her health and exercise, tell her it'll keep her slimMugglechops wrote:My wife drives the whole 3kms to work (she only works 2 week days so I use the car if I need it)while I ride 13km. Still can't convince her to start cycling.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby zephy » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:15 pm
plus "I have a dream" of either riding to Perth or up to Darwin... bugger it, to ride to Perth AND up to Darwin
.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby il padrone » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:31 pm
Well, yes. But it's my wife who is the one that pulls the bike out to do the shopping, ride to church and who goes for a regular daily walk.Oxford wrote:Seriously IP are you married? That is going to be one ugly conversation.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Mugglechops » Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:45 am
Have given up now.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby BeerRider » Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:24 pm
The main reason would definitely be the health benefit. I don't want to come home after work and have to get down to the gym to do a bit of exercise. This way I do it on the way to work and back, essentially giving me more time at home.
Last year I was working for a company which had a gym membership attached to the job, which I tried to use, but hated going to the gym. I started riding in 2-3 times a week which was 50km one way. It was a great start to the day and gave me a sense of fulfillment that the gym never gave me. The other two days I would catch the train 2/3 of the way in and then cycle the last 15km. I always finished work quite late, so it was better to catch the train home than test people's night driving.
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Dropbear20 » Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:47 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Milar » Wed Jul 20, 2011 10:10 pm
I'm finally fitting exercise into my schedule for virtually no time cost (3 kids under 5, demanding job, house renos and community work takes so much time)
We don't need to pay costs for owning 2 cars (~$5000 pa - nice tax free increase!)
I am more environmentally friendly
My wife loves the new body
So the real question for me is why did I think I couldn't do it earlier? To be honest I don't know anymore
Yes rain sucks, and cold mornings aren't my favourite but they are a small price to pay. Now I just need convincing to ride for fun and not just transport... maybe next year!
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby Seventeen » Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:57 pm
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Re: Why do you commute by bike?
Postby maDKient » Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:59 pm
Then there's health, environmental, practical, and emotional (see above ) reasons.
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