How important is your bike commute to you?

girv73

Right, I've only been commuting by bike for a few months now, but it occurred to me today that it's become an important part of my lifestyle that I don't want to give up.

It occurred to be when I was doing a kind of half hearted job search and found that I was considering/rejecting potential employers based on the possibility of biking to work. Where I am now is very cycle friendly, with a C2W scheme, bike racks and showers.

One potential new job is a consultancy position that would preclude cycling altogether - different place every day and suit & tie. Another is round the corner from my current office and a couple of the staff blog/tweet about cycling to work, which I found enormously encouraging. A third was rejected because it'd be a 40 mile round trip that would probably kill me (on the other hand, it'd be a helluva scenic ride over the hills and a perfect excuse to buy that Roubaix or C2C (along with a payrise to fund it) )

It's as if the ability to cycle to work is more important than the work I'd be doing when I got there :?: :!:

So, am I mad? Did any of you do the same when looking for your current job?

chuckcork

Yes when it has come to previous jobs.

I only hope now that post Xmas I'll be able to find a job to go to at all.

lost_in_thought

I didn't so the same with my job, but did with my London accomodation. I could have moved into a place in Notting Hill, a 5 minute cycle from work, but instead went for Ealing, because it's further away and I could cycle further!

So yeah, it's pretty damn important to me...

Surf-Matt

I have worked for myself for 5 years - it did involve a six mile each way cycle to the office and back.
Now it's based at home I make up for it by doing a 10 mile cycle out and back again.

Just don't feel right without a morning cycle.

Clever Pun

I wouldn't take a job that didn't offer secure parking

Onan

I wish I had a longer commute to university. I'm a lazy arse, and sometimes, that little ride is the only exercise I get. Especially in the winter. When I start looking for proper grown up jobs, cyclable distances and on site facilites will definitely be a factor.

biondino

It's a tricky one. I'm spoiled by both a good riding distance and convenient and simple train journeys on which I can also read my scripts, so either way it's fine. I suspect the cycle commuting element might make me choose one job over another of identical merit, and it's possible it could be a deal breaker if I have one offer which is flawed in many other areas, but I don't think it would go further than that.

spen666

Onan wrote:

I wish I had a longer commute to university. I'm a lazy ars*, and sometimes, that little ride is the only exercise I get. Especially in the winter. When I start looking for proper grown up jobs, cyclable distances and on site facilites will definitely be a factor.

In the current climate- if it continues- you'll just take any job so you have one

Choice may not be a luxury you can afford initially

simple_salmon

It's a part of my job so leading by example is something I consider crucial otherwise it would be even harder to be taken seriously (and believe me it's hard enough).

girv73

@simple_salmon sorry, it's Friday afternoon and I don't think I get what you mean there?

simple_salmon

I'm a sustainable transport co-ordinator persuading our staff (or at least trying) to give up their cars.

If I drove in myself even I wouldn't listen to what I was saying.

Bagman

very important. have been incapacitated for 2 weeks (injured back) and have really missed it. hope to climb back on the trusty steed for a shortish ride at the weekend to see how things are

claash

We also chose our house based on our cycle commute.

We were living 5-7 mins from work and it was amost easier to walk than get on my bike!
Now we have a 30 mins cycle ride each way! good stretch with v. little traffic!

Wouldn't want to be without it!!

natcot

Snapped a spoke on the way to work yesterday so had to limp the remainder of the journey in, left my bike with the LBS as these particular spokes are special order and wife collected me from work, thus no 1hr feel good commute home. I reckon it took till about 10ish for me to stop sulking! Good knows what it would be like if I couldn't commute long term.

gtvlusso

I used to commute by Aeroplane......so this is just getting to work and offsetting my previous carbon footprint....

coffeecup

I'm a consultant in Belfast and cycle everyday. I tend to spend a few months at each client and so I'm able to leave my stuff there, use their facilities (if there are any) and generally go native wherever I end up. Some places are better than others but where there's a will there's a way.

Give me a shout if you want to have a chat

Kaydee

I was looking for another job nearer home before I started commuting by bike a couple of months ago. I just couldn't bear the metrolink any longer! I was also finding myself very tired by the end of each week. But now that I'm so much fitter (if no lighter :oops: ) I'm ready to carry on for another 10 years or so

If I were to lose my job in this recession I'd definitely be looking for another good ride!

dirk_van_gently

girv73 wrote:

So, am I mad?

Yes of course

girv73 wrote:

Did any of you do the same when looking for your current job?

I just got lucky and found work close to home.
However I would be VERY reluctant to give up the bike to work, really is the best part of my working day.
The 17miles isn't even an effort anymore. Have to get a job further away !

pigeon42

Have been bike commuting for about 6 months now - it's not far, but incorporates a reasonable hill on the way in, and a gorgeous off-road stretch over the common. I love cycling, and getting into work feeling wide awake and ready to tackle anything (if a little pink-cheeked!)

Before then I spent at least 3 hours a day getting to and from work, by train and tube (latterly walking the tube bit) - I don't think I could bring myself to going back to that, and if I look for another job, it would have to be cycleable if at all possible.

iain_j

In the last few years I've only had a few short spells off the bike, when me or the bike have needed some repairs (!) and I didn't enjoy those times. The journey to work took twice as long, on a cramped, hot, uncomfortable, fume-belching, ridiculously-expensive-for-the-distance bus with no leg space or breathing space... you'll gather by now I enjoy the freedom of a bike! And without the 20 minutes of exercise on the way to work I was tired, sluggish and grumpy for the whole morning until I could go for a walk at lunchtime.

So, yes, my bike commute is important to me. I try and find out what cycling facilities there are when I'm applying for jobs. I'm always looking out for vacancies at a college near me because it's about 15 miles away via some pleasant rural lanes and has excellent cycling/changing facilities. Lucky for me though, I've just got another job at the place I work at now, which has good secure parking and showers/changing rooms, which is good enough for me.

sad Bastad

I'm keeping this job for good - I hope.

I'm 50 and started commuting my 23 mile round trip 6 months ago. I leave home before 6.00am and arrive at work around 6..40. Absolutely brilliant riding in when there's not much on the road. Take the bike into the office where I leave it in the print room, so don't even have to take the lights off, lock it up etc. Shower and breakfast at work and leave around 4.15 and home at 5.

Consider myself very lucky and I wouldn't want to give this up, it's as important to me as the job itself

The Chingford Skinhead

Only been commuting for a few months but absolutely love it. Get v grumpy and unhappy when I have to take the bus tube or train. Even going out at the weekends I'm looking to see if cycling is an option...

I may have to look for a new job soon and whereas the idea of having to change tube lines put me off in the past I'll now be looking at the cycling options instead.

prj45

Very.

Missus currently wants to move out of London, but it would probably mean no cycle to work for me so I'm sticking my feet in; she has threatened to go without me.

The Chingford Skinhead

prj45 wrote:

Very.

Missus currently wants to move out of London, but it would probably mean no cycle to work for me so I'm sticking my feet in; she has threatened to go without me.

Make sure she tells you how to use the cooker / washing machine etc before she goes LoL

prj45

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

Make sure she tells you how to use the cooker / washing machine etc before she goes LoL

Cooker?

Washing machine?

What are they?

I'm already sizing the main bedroom up as a bike workshop, second as bike storage and I'll be in the little room at the back.

linsen

It is important to me so I can justify the amount I cost our household in bikes!

Also makes me feel like I am doing something towards good stewardship of mother Earth and all that stuff......

tardington

My cycling is pretty important - it's faster than driving in Edinburgh these days!

Plus helps keep the beer-induced spare tyre down...

girv73

Overwhelming positive responses there, maybe I should have asked in a forum NOT populated by cycling nutters/addicts

always_tyred

tardie wrote:

My cycling is pretty important - it's faster than driving in Edinburgh these days!.

Until they've finished the tram system, which will fix everything.

Regarding the original post - I rarely/never take the direct route to work. I seem to need at least my 50 minutes catharsis each morning. It would be the same.... and was the same.... when I lived a short walk from work.

always_tyred

tardie wrote:

My cycling is pretty important - it's faster than driving in Edinburgh these days!.

Until they've finished the tram system, which will fix everything.

Regarding the original post - I rarely/never take the direct route to work. I seem to need at least my 50 minutes catharsis each morning. It would be the same.... and was the same.... when I lived a short walk from work.

cjcp

prj45 wrote:

Very.

Missus currently wants to move out of London, but it would probably mean no cycle to work for me so I'm sticking my feet in; she has threatened to go without me.

I guess this leads onto the next question: how far would you be prepeared to commute by bike?

How far out does the good lady want to move? Can you make the purchase of a brand new bike a condition of your agreement, on the basis that you will need something much faster?