Fellow commuters - lend me your advice

il_principe

Hi all. As those who have met me at the Morpeth can attest, I'm something of a keen cyclist and cycle commuter.! With that in mind I'm currently working on a bit of a business idea/project with a friend and am looking for some input from the London based "experts" (ie you lot!) no offence to non Londoners but the idea is somewhat London-centric.

Some of you may well know what my idea is, so I'm politely begging you to keep it to yourselves if possible! Good ideas are a rarity as far as my brain is concerned and I'd rather this one stayed out of the public domain for now, cheers!

Basically I have a three questions:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?
2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?
2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

I look forward to your input people, so MTFU and give your opinions!

Thanks in advance.

biondino

Can we only answer one of the question 2s?

scoobers

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?
Nothing really, just getting around to organising logistics (work clothes etc)
2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?
Better cycle to work scheme, not dependant on employer - i.e. my employer doesn't offer this so there''s a big outlay on my part and initially it's more expensive than public transport. Better facilities at work, see below;
2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.
Secure bike storage and shower facilities at work, I'm fortunate that I can bring the bike into the office, but I have to go to the local gym for a shower.

DavidBelcher

jashburnham wrote:

Hi all. As those who have met me at the Morpeth can attest, I'm something of a keen cyclist and cycle commuter.! With that in mind I'm currently working on a bit of a business idea/project with a friend and am looking for some input from the London based "experts" (ie you lot!) no offence to non Londoners but the idea is somewhat London-centric.

Some of you may well know what my idea is, so I'm politely begging you to keep it to yourselves if possible! Good ideas are a rarity as far as my brain is concerned and I'd rather this one stayed out of the public domain for now, cheers!

Basically I have a three questions:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?
2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?
3. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

I look forward to your input people, so MTFU and give your opinions!

Thanks in advance.

1. I've almost always commuted by bike in every job I've had - being a non-driver with no real urge to become a car user, it's the best option. In some of the jobs I've had with a longish commute, I did try going by bus or by part-bus, part-train, but found a train/bike combo over roughly the same route far more reliable.
2. To encourage more cycle commuters - sort of ties in with Q3, I guess; safer roads, better parking/changing facilities in the workplace. Also if doing the train/bike commute, some train operating companies (especially Southern) need to get their act together re. on-train provision for non-folders.
3. For me personally - better changing facilities at work, so that I could make my commute longer and use it as a training run. As it stands, it's only a short run (3.5 miles each way), so I ride in wearing work gear rather than my cycling kit. More secure parking would be a plus, too.

David

linsen

I'm not telling you because I'm not a Londoner...

biondino

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Fear of London roads and the belief that I wasn't near fit enough to ride 7 miles and back.

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Marketing. More than almost any functional changes, if cycling to work were marketed like McDonalds, or Barclaycard, or DFS bloody sofas, then huge numbers of people would do it. So if your plan is to be an eccentric billionaire who buys a vast amount of prime advertising real estate, then I think you're on to a winner!

If, however, that wasn't exactly the answer you were after... Financial rewards are key, perhaps in the form of tax credits (which C2W already does), perhaps tax credits given to companies if they can achieve some form of quota of cycling employees? The other main obstacle is convincing people it's safe. Safety materials like lights, reflectors and training should be available for free.

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

facilities at work definitely - the lack of shower etc. is an excuse as much as a reason. All companies should ensure there are acceptable bike parking facilities, but there will be cases where this isn't possible - perhaps all companies over a certain size should?

The weather is a BIG problem. People don't want to cycle when it's cold or wet, and although we know that only in the worst conditions is it either too uncomfortable or dangerous, it's nigh on impossible to convince someone that it's worth it.

All public service employees should be given as many opportunities and benefits as possible - e.g. the NHS not signing up for C2W.

salsarider79

1. Being a lazy ar$e

2. Tax breaks, like R2W, ad campain showing how cheaper it is to cycle, proper cycle lanes so people don't have to ride on main/busy roads.

3. Showers and changing rooms at work are very useful, More importantly I'd say is secure parking for bikes. Not many can afford a bike just to commute on, and people don't want to take a nice bike unless they know it'll be there when they get back, nor scratched, kicked or vandalised either.

linsen

Now how do I delete a post? :?

gtvlusso

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Having to travel across the UK and the world (i.e at airport allot) for work carrying laptop, suitcase and expensive equipment - needed car.

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Not everyone can afford to live where they work (They have to use car or public transport - although often it is cheaper to use a car) - i.e they cannot cycle commute as it is too far, or they travel for work or have too much kit to carry. So, Cheap/free public transport and moving business into cheaper places to live (i.e. making them more expensive!)

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

Drying room and better showers + a bikerack that actually has bits to lock your bike too!

spen666

jashburnham wrote:

Hi all. As those who have met me at the Morpeth can attest, I'm something of a keen cyclist and cycle commuter.! With that in mind I'm currently working on a bit of a business idea/project with a friend and am looking for some input from the London based "experts" (ie you lot!) no offence to non Londoners but the idea is somewhat London-centric.

Some of you may well know what my idea is, so I'm politely begging you to keep it to yourselves if possible! Good ideas are a rarity as far as my brain is concerned and I'd rather this one stayed out of the public domain for now, cheers!

Basically I have a three questions:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Hadn't really thought about it- wasn't a cyclist then- only took up cycling to accompany my son round park- liked it and decided to commute to work

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Making roads safer - change burden of proof in RTAs to motorist being liable unless they can prove (on balance of probabilities) that it was not their fault

More of a zero tolerance to offending behaviour by ALL road users

Making it a compulsory part of planning permission for all new business premises ( and those being refurbished where planning permission is needed) that x number of showers/ bike storage facilities etc have to be provided per y number of prospective occupants of premises

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

see above


In the same way as some parents are allowed time off to attend to domestic issues- eg child illnesses we should be allowed time of to take bike to / from bike shops etc

I look forward to your input people, so MTFU and give your opinions!

Thanks in advance.

spen666

gtvlusso wrote:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Having to travel across the UK and the world (i.e at airport allot) for work carrying laptop, suitcase and expensive equipment - needed car.

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Not everyone can afford to live where they work (They have to use car or public transport - although often it is cheaper to use a car) - i.e they cannot cycle commute as it is too far, or they travel for work or have too much kit to carry. So, Cheap/free public transport and moving business into cheaper places to live (i.e. making them more expensive!)

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

Drying room and better showers + a bikerack that actually has bits to lock your bike too!

What part of London is BRIZZLE?

el_presidente

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

I lived too close to the office & thought it was pointless dealing with the hassle at each end. In hindsight I should have just ridden in my suit and got the tube when it rained.

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Financial incentives. Tube fares up. No VAT on bikes. tax breaks for employers who can prove their employees cycle.

On an individual level I think it is hard to generalise. But mainly I think some people like cycling and some don't. If you don't like cycling then it is hard to persuade someone. TBH i think the main issue however is perceived danger. My other half has stopped cycle commuting this winter because of this (allied with the dark)



2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

Not many to be honest. I have a shower & secure(ish) parking.

wgwarburton

NB this is from outside London- ignore if that doesn't fit your needs.

1. Various reasons: Too far and/or poor public transport to bridge the gaps

2. Better PT provision (bike space on trains, trams, buses) and marketing to make it a natural thing to do (ie no funny looks, lots of people drying jackets at work etc).

3. More people cycling, more space on trains (contradictory?).

Biondino writes:
> The other main obstacle is convincing people it's safe.

Which is difficult if you're trying to convince them to wear helmets. You don't need special protective clothing for safe activities.

Wouldn't hurt to try and educate peope about risk, generally. We're very bad at judging it in a contemporary environment. Examples: people driving to work after a train crash, stopping taking the pill after a cancer scare, the MMR fiasco...
Oh, and maybe this would help judge financial risk better, too... :-)
Cheers.
W.

Jen J

spen666 wrote:

gtvlusso wrote:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Having to travel across the UK and the world (i.e at airport allot) for work carrying laptop, suitcase and expensive equipment - needed car.

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Not everyone can afford to live where they work (They have to use car or public transport - although often it is cheaper to use a car) - i.e they cannot cycle commute as it is too far, or they travel for work or have too much kit to carry. So, Cheap/free public transport and moving business into cheaper places to live (i.e. making them more expensive!)

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

Drying room and better showers + a bikerack that actually has bits to lock your bike too!

What part of London is BRIZZLE?

Now now, calm down. gtv is free to post here, just as Jash is free to ignore it :P

Sewinman

1. Concept of distance/time i.e. speed. I thought 7 miles was a HUGE distance to cycle.

2. Teach people that it is practical…most people can’t believe it when I tell them that its easy and quick.

3. Showers. Ban black cabs.

il_principe

linsen wrote:

Oh sorry I just realised you don't want my answers - being a non-London type :oops:

All input is welcome please! I'm not exclusive, but my idea is limited to London for the time being.

Thanks.

linsen

Well it's gone now - so there

wgwarburton

spen666 writes:

> What part of London is BRIZZLE?

West.

on a different tangent...

Why are the Midlands in the South, anyway? Surely they should be somewhere around Nottingham?

Cheers,
W.

Littigator

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

Thinking 6 miles was too far, beyond my capabilities and not safe in London

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

emphasise the cost save, health benefits, the ease of it once you have a routine going, quicker and more pleasant than any form of public transport. Can be combined with other forms of transport if you have a longer commute.

3. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

More cycle lanes, better road conditions, ie fewer potholes, more respect for cyclists by other road users (emphasising cyclists vulnerability against a 2 ton car etc)

Garou

1. Uni was walking distance, and parking the bike seemed like hassle, and it meant less flexibility with going out afterwards etc. Now that i work quite far from where i live, it's more fun to cycle than get the train everyday, though i suspect many people would disagree, especially in the winter.

2. Financial initiatives and safety awareness are all good. Also it's just getting people to realise how much fun it is, but then there will be many people who still just plain don't like it, which is fair enough, but it should be made clear that it can just be a convenient and efficient form of transport if that's all you want it to be, and is certainly viable compared to car or train in many cases.

3. My office is pretty good with showers and stuff, though if lots of people cycled there probably wouldn't be enough. Be nice if storage was slightly out of sight and out of the rain too. The biggest problem tbh is, living in london, space at home. If you're in a flat, especially if it's shared, it can be quite difficult finding space to keep your bike and all the kit (clothes, tools, cleaning stuff) that goes with it.

Garou

Oh, and also adding to 2 and 3 - I find one of the most annoying bits about cycling through urban areas is having to cross busy roads, rather than jsut cycling along them. If you have to constantly stop it brings your average speed down a lot. Well thought out crossings and subways would be much appreciated.

Bassjunkieuk

1. The only times over the last few years, through 3 jobs, that I have used a means other then public transport has usually been down to a necessity rather then choice. My first experiences with cycle commuting where when I worked at local shops in my town and I'd only be cycling 3-4 miles max to them. When I started with my current employer I was a field based service engineer so needed my car to complete the work effectively as I had to carry around tools and kit. Once I got onto a site based role I was then able to use my bike for longer distances. I now regularly cycle to about 6-10 sites around the city and 1 down in Thames Ditton and only need to use my car when I'm working in Woking as I haven't worked out a route there yet!

2. I think better facilities would be a start. As most of us are already fairly experienced commuters I think we have all become accustomed to sharing the roads with the other users. For someone who is just starting out cycling, maybe for the first time in a few years it would understandably be a bit more nerve racking! The bus lanes are good as they are nice and wide but then you have to share them with buses! I guess in an "ideal" world bikes would have separate roads to use. I'm sure Boris suggested something along the lines of cycle highways to link central London to various outer urban areas a while back, basically I'd like the cycle equivalent of a motorway whereby I could hop on at my nearest on-road and cycle straight into town :-)
I also think a independent bike 2 work scheme that isn't dependent on your employer to run. I was rather naffed on to be told that "take up wouldn't be high enough so we're not offering it" especially considering we where recently taken over by a much larger company that had also recently brought another smaller IT company.

Cycle training might also be useful to allow new riders to get familiar with the basics.

3. Secure parking, showers and a place to change and store or wash/dry clothes during the day - it's not nice getitng into cold, wet clothes after a hard (what's that??) days posting on the forum, erm sorry I mean work :-D

cjcp

jashburnham wrote:

Hi all. As those who have met me at the Morpeth can attest, I'm something of a keen cyclist and cycle commuter.! With that in mind I'm currently working on a bit of a business idea/project with a friend and am looking for some input from the London based "experts" (ie you lot!) no offence to non Londoners but the idea is somewhat London-centric.

Some of you may well know what my idea is, so I'm politely begging you to keep it to yourselves if possible! Good ideas are a rarity as far as my brain is concerned and I'd rather this one stayed out of the public domain for now, cheers!

Basically I have a three questions:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?
2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?
2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

I look forward to your input people, so MTFU and give your opinions!

Thanks in advance.

I'll be happy to answer. Once you've let me have a crack at the 3-lap Richmond Park challenge on your Prince.

<"Not on your life, matey", comes the reply from the OP >


1. Didn't have a bike. Once I bought a bike, I started commuted. However, safety on the road would probably have been the main issue. Also, perceived distance to work. Eight miles ain't that far, but you think it is when you start riding.

2. Address concerns over safety. Tell them how bad trains are; cost-benefit analysis of cycling; possible health advantages - they will have the legs and backside of a god; show them how much time per week/year/lifetime of our lives are spent on public transport and how that time spent commuting can be put to good use i.e. on a bike in the <cough> fresh air.

3. Reduce traffic volumes (the militant side of me says ban all forms of motorised private transport, except scooters, from areas of central London from 6.30am-8pm). I don't have a shower at work, just joined a gym at off-peak prices (ok, so I roll in 5 mins late because of it, but it's made up elsewhere). But shower and bike facilities are obvious issues. I keep my bike in my cupboard in my room.

Now, where's that Prince?

il_principe

Thanks for the replies so far everyone. Very useful indeed, and along the lines I was hoping for.

Cheers.

Jen J

jashburnham wrote:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?
2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?
2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

1. No bike. No interest in biking. Fear factor of roads. Didn't realise it was a viable option.

2. More awareness of cyclists on roads.
Better policing of traffic laws e.g mobile phones, RLJ (cars & bikes)
More awareness of cyclists on roads.
Better surface on roads! Now that I've pumped my tyres up properly I keep getting bounced around by the patchwork quilt that masquerades as tarmac.
More awareness of cyclists on roads.
Wider publication of suitable cycling routes.
More awareness of cyclists on roads.
Increase pedestrian awareness of the possibility of cyclists being on the road.
More awareness of cyclists on roads.
Reduce cost.
And one for luck...more awareness of cyclists on roads.

2. Not so much cycle lanes as bus lanes. Cycle lanes where I commute (mostly at lights) are ignored and are usually full of stationary traffic. Bus lanes however, are respected, and also give plenty of space.
Shower/changing facilities at work.
More bike racks, preferably completely undercover so my bike is not drenched like the other day.
For the moped who parks next to 'my' space to stop doing so.
Storage for helmet/shoes/lights etc near bikes.

I'm not entirely sure of the difference in answers required for 2 and 2. Perhaps that's quite apt numbering then

ps - if we're lending you advice, does that mean when get it back again? With interest?

dondare

jashburnham wrote:

1. Before you cycle commuted - what stopped you from giving it a go?

I always have. The greatest discouragement to me in the past has been punctures, but I now use SMPs so I don't get 'em.

jashburnham wrote:

2. What could be done to encourage more people to take up cycling to work?

Tame London's traffic! Bus lane enforcement cameras, speed cameras, and a genuine commitment by the police to identify and remove uninsured and unlicenced drivers from the roads altogether.

jashburnham wrote:

2. What practical changes would make your commute easier - ie facilities at work, more cylcle lanes etc.

Definately NOT cycle lanes, I'd rather that they were all painted out. But road planners need to remember bikes when designing junctions, which they clearly don't do now. At work: secure cycle parking, preferably under cover. (I don't see the need for showers for cyclists, although showers for people who come in on public transport would get my vote.)

DavidBelcher

WGWarburton wrote:

Why are the Midlands in the South, anyway? Surely they should be somewhere around Nottingham?

Cheers,
W.

News to me. Being originally from the Midlands myself, I always thought they were, well, in the middle. Nottingham is in the Midlands (East Midlands if we're being picky), whereas the West Midlands is generally thought of as being in and around Brum, Coventry and the Black Country. The latter is well-known for its distinctive dialect, though only two common expressions from the region see anything like regular usage in mainstream English; "Bostin'" (meaning 'rather good'), and "West Bromwich Albion, nil" [1]

David

[1] No prizes for guessing which team from the area I follow!

biondino

Could congestion charge cameras be tweaked so they bring up the details of anyone without insurance or registration?

(I am currently without road tax myself - wonder when I'll get fined...)

Jen J

biondino wrote:

Could congestion charge cameras be tweaked so they bring up the details of anyone without insurance or registration?

(I am currently without road tax myself - wonder when I'll get fined...)

If they don't have registration, how will the details be available? :?

lost_in_thought

biondino wrote:

Could congestion charge cameras be tweaked so they bring up the details of anyone without insurance or registration?

(I am currently without road tax myself - wonder when I'll get fined...)

Yeah, me too, trying to decide whether to SORN or tax the convertible.

DavidBelcher

biondino wrote:

Could congestion charge cameras be tweaked so they bring up the details of anyone without insurance or registration?

(I am currently without road tax myself - wonder when I'll get fined...)

Well, there are also the traffic monitoring cameras that feature on all those traffic police-type shows, which are chiefly used to keep an eye on motorway incidents etc., though I suppose the magnification could be tweaked to pick up said offenders. I'm sure the scaremongering hacks at the Daily Excess and the Daily Blackmail would be up in arms about such an idea, mind.

David