Cycle commuting more popular in the winter???

DavidTQ

Ive noticed over the last couple of weeks that Im seeing more and more cycle commuters out on the roads.

I dont understand it I thought this time of year was time for the fair weather cyclists to stop, and cycle commuting numbers to reduce drastically but Im seeing probably double the number of cyclists that I saw through the summer every night, Its getting more and more common to see 3 cyclists at a time etc.

I thought if anything the cold weather would be putting people off, but it seems theres more of us than in the summer???

Anyone else finding this?

hevipedal

The cold doesn't put me off. But the fog does, scares the bejeezus out of me. So I don't do fog.

graeme_s-2

It could be that a lot of students cycle commute, and they're off during the summer. Maybe you notice cyclists more easily when they're using lights?

Mog Uk

Number has dropped drastically round these parts. Only me and a couple of others left who are stupid enough to brave winter

Clever Pun

the number is dropping on my route as well... I suspect January will be the real teller.

DavidTQ

Could be students although Ive been cycling since march and november has been the busiest month Ive seen on the roads so far, I dont think its the lights making people more noticeable, although it would possibly explain why, I am seeing more people going the other way as well.

Its mainly the number of people Im overtaking thats making me notice the numbers. Its now not uncommon to see quite a few cyclists quite close together in groups. I will over take one person only to find another shortly down the road, then another not much further on etc etc. (Im not going faster, although maybe other people are slowing down for the cold \ dark).

I got used to seeing certain cyclists regularly along the route and am now seeing many "new regulars" as well.

spen666

DavidTQ wrote:

Could be students although Ive been cycling since march and november has been the busiest month Ive seen on the roads so far, I dont think its the lights making people more noticeable, although it would possibly explain why, I am seeing more people going the other way as well.

Its mainly the number of people Im overtaking thats making me notice the numbers. Its now not uncommon to see quite a few cyclists quite close together in groups. I will over take one person only to find another shortly down the road, then another not much further on etc etc. (Im not going faster, although maybe other people are slowing down for the cold \ dark).

I got used to seeing certain cyclists regularly along the route and am now seeing many "new regulars" as well.

Those 8 months of cycling have now paid off and you are super fit and are now going much faster than every other cyclist. The explanation is you are a super fast cyclist now

jam1ec

i was wondering about this, on my way to work this morning. my route seems busier too.

PhilTheFish

I have to agree with the original post. I am currently nursing a knee injury (football related) and am giving the commute a miss for at least a week. Driving in, I've noticed far more cyclists this week than the previous 10 weeks I've been cycling in.

I'm gutted about being crocked as these mornings look ideal (once you're warmed up that is!). I also detest having to de-ice the car before starting off. Those 10 minutes could get me halfway into the office on 2 wheels.

Atz

There's more cars as well for me so perhaps it's just that with Christmas closer, people aren't taking holidays and therefore instead of 8% of people (assuming the average person gets a month a year off) being somewhere other than on the road to work, they're heading to their place of work.

spartacus74

Do you not find the cooler weather a bit more comfortable to ride in? i.e. don't get as sweaty, start to over heat so much? I'm trying to get myself out on the bike (beginner to cycling and not too fit anymore), managed it a few times in the summer, with a view to commuting. But with the warm weather I found myself overheating quite a bit. Now it's cooler i'm hoping that I might find it a bit more comfortable. Having said that I have always preferred the cooler weather than the heat of summer...

DavidTQ

Actually it possibly is more comfortable, Im in shorts and not feeling the cold too much on my legs despite it being frosty, but I need some good gloves as my fingers are getting cold, but apart from my fingers its actually good cycling weather, Im not sweating anywhere near as much despite wearing a jacket and its dryer than it was all summer as well .

TheFoolio888

Maybe its because the traffic seems to get worse in the winter...so people choose the bike to save time

tardington

Lots more in edinburgh - but we have the winter rash of roadworks blocking up the roads, so maybe thats it?

It isn't all students, a fair amount of silver surfers (platinum pedallers?) out there too!

fossyant

Still a fair amount in my part of Stockport Mr Mog UK ! - The usual suspects every day...including a slow middle aged gentleman in shorts (no wonder he's slow - he must be freezing)

Keithp88

Have you seen the price of petrol/diesel? Or the latest report written by some scaremongering journalist on the size of the average mortgage?

Commuting by car is now expensive enough to make folks drag out the bike. I see more now than during summer and it waaaaaay too early for students to be up and around when I'm out (before lunch ).

cee

Im still riding in shorts/base layer/softshell waterproof and gloves. It isn't too cold yet, so im keeping the warmer stuff in reserve for January (as my granny always said 'Yel no feel the benefit if ye dinnae tak yer coat aff!')

There are definately more cycle commuters in edinburgh these last couple of weeks than there were in June/July/August

AidanR

Edinburgh seems about the same for me (maybe I'm just unobservant!) but I agree about the roadworks - I wouldn't want to be driving a car around at the moment.

Atz

So far I'm still okay with shorts although it's touch and go. The tights and winter gloves are in reserve, ready to go.

marmitecp

Top Gear effect in my office. Loads of people asking me about how long it takes, what clothing, do I go as fast as Richard Hammond etc etc. Nobody has actually taken to the roads yet, but if the interest is representative of the nation then it could be having an effect.

Oh and diesel at 102p.

spen666

marmitecp wrote:

Top Gear effect in my office. Loads of people asking me about how long it takes, what clothing, do I go as fast as Richard Hammond etc etc. Nobody has actually taken to the roads yet, but if the interest is representative of the nation then it could be having an effect.

Oh and diesel at 102p.

Where is it that cheap?

ikenbikeit

Im the only one at my work who travels by bike. The travel culture is 90% car.
I'm treated by colleages with a mixtue of awe and wonder and being certifiable. The pupils cannot understand why I dont buy a car - even when I explain. If I can afford a car, why dont I have one?
Attitude is the barrier to cycle use. People almost faint when I tell them I paid £400 for a bike. I don't tell them how much my touring bike cost. They wont understand!
In a way I envy people in cycle growing cities like London and Oxford. I'ts lonely being a commuter up north.

Drfabulous0

Seem to be a lot about on my route in Stockport, quite a few using the bike at work as well.
The traffic's really bad though so the bike is much quicker and it hasn't rained much recently, like it did all summer.

twowheeledwriter

the number is dropping on my route as well... I suspect January will be the real teller.

Based on my experience of the last two winters when I commuted into London, I predict a small surge in bike commuter numbers in January. This mirrors the increase in gym membership at the same time as people put into action their New Year's resolutions.

Of course, it won't last...

Plax

I don't see any cyclists as such here. I know other people do cycle as there are a few others at work but I never see any of them. I have seen the same gentlemen a couple of times coming in the opposite direction and that's about as exciting as it gets! Small rural area, I'm very lucky to work only 4 miles from home, I had to travel a 58 mile round trip for my last job!

doyler78

See lots who commute around Belfast all year round. Outside of Belfast I rarely see anyone and that hasn't changed since the nights have drawn in. Do see other cyclists on the more rural parts of my commute during the summer but these aren't commuters they are those out on club runs or out training. You can tell by the skin tight lycra in gaudy colours and the fact they aren't carrying anything other than a unfeasibly small saddle bag and who get great pleasure in leaving you for dead But I'm not bitter

dazzawazza

I've noticed an increase of 4 bicycles at work in the last couple of weeks. Very odd considering the on-set of winter.
I've actually found the cold temperature a lot more comfortable to ride in as I can wear winter clothes without over-heating. It's worse during autumn when the temperature is unpredictable as I find myself caught out either under or over dressed.

Gambatte

Fuel costs are definitely a motivating factor for me continuing thro the winter. I have noticed a couple more cyclists, but not everyday I'm out.....

DavidTQ

It is interesting to see that its not just me seeing more cyclists out there. Maybe I should start asking some of them why theyve taken it up . Just get some real answers from the newer cyclists.

I have to say I filled up a car I borrowed with petrol the other day probably the first time in 6 months or more that Ive put petrol in a car and the cost of it really made me think "I never want a car again"

Still thinking about getting a VW camper next year though for holidays etc.

Small Fish

Absolutely no doubt that at the moment I see more cyclists on my route into Manchester than ever before. Even today, windy and cold with that horrible rain that stings your face, I saw about 10 others. That would have exceptional an a nice sumer day a couple of years ago.

Hairy Jock

I have noticed that the bike shed is getting fuller, and it was bad enough finding a place in the summer, I think it is just because cycling is become more popular, there are defiantly more cyclist about that there were five years ago...