Lighten the tone, why do you commute by bike?

Bassjunkieuk

Another classic DDD thread and I only find it after it's 5 pages long :-(

Anyhow here's my 2p worth.........

I personally still have rather disturbed memories of my early life cycling experiences as my first few bikes where so hideous folding bikes from halfords that they produced about 2 decades ago..........nothing as elaborate or elegant as the current slew of Bromptons. My parents rationalization for these purchases was so they could be stowed in the back of the car when we go to parks. I think I could count on 1 hand how many times that happened.......

My first "proper" bike, i.e one with a standard diamond shaped frame, gears and one that meant I didn't get teased when out on it was one of those lovely Apollo Kaos fluorescent orange bikes. This was stolen and duly replaced by my nan with a slightly better Apollo with 5 extra gears!

During this time I started running for my local club and during the 6 weeks holiday in an effort to build up some fitness I was out riding 10 miles each day :-) I'm fairly certain I can say this is the point I got hooked :-D

My initial bike commutes where short 1 - 3 mile ones to local stores and even then, for just 10 minutes each day I was having huge fun and getting there quicker then via PT or walking. Once I got a job around London the bike was the logical choice. The first morning that I set off aboard my Raleigh road bike, donated to me by a rather generous guy over win SE10 via Freecycle, I was heading for Westminster Town Hall up on Victoria Street. Based on my only other experience of getting into town at that point I left myself an extra 20 minutes to get up there and followed my usual car route (fairly direct, basically Norwood/A23/Stockwell/VB) I felt absolutely amazing to cross the Thames for the first time under my own steam and I arrived at work 40 minutes earlier then I expected :-D

Nowadays I guess my main reasons for doing it are just my love of cycling and my hatred of PT. I appreciate I'm rather fortunate in that I live within 10/15 minutes walk of 2 train stations with fast links into town but I think once you've experienced the freedom of riding to work and how great you feel during and on arrival PT just doesn't cut it!

There are also the other side benefits of the increased fitness level meaning I still have the energy to give my 5 kids a good run round and that I can stuff my face with whatever junk I chose and still remain a nice svelte size :-D

NGale

Fitness (it is cheaper than the gym)
Saves petrol (therefore money) even if it is only to cycle a couple times a week for late shifts
It annoys the hell out of car drivers
Because I enjoy it
Met some interesting people while out on the bike.....

Mrs_Ragbrutty

RichK wrote:

velorazzi wrote:

...namely that by bike the journey is part of the day, whereas by any other means, the journey is an encumbrance. ...

Quite. With how many other forms of commuting would you go the long way round, just to make it longer?

Motorcycle! Never been known to take the short route, will always experiment with new routes.
Car, came the long way home today by car. 15 miles became 60.
I always take the shortest route when I cycle, except for avoiding one road that's more like a ploughed field with a truck relay. 150 miles a week is enough for me.

I cycle cos it's a darn sight cheaper than paying for petrol and all other motiring expenses. there would be no point in going to work, it'd cost more than I earn.

medicbiker

Started in Uni beucase I had no other transport then joined the mtb club :-). Moved to London in February and after a few months of tubing and busing it (still no car and there is noway I'm leaving my lovely mtb chained up outside elephant and castle all day) I bought a singlespeed for commuting to training school. Due to the nature of my job I often can't use PT to get to and from my station leaving a bike as the only option. I also drive as part of my job and I am not so keen to have to drive in spare time as well. I also like cycling and although I have only ridden mtb in the past I am starting to like the road cycling aspect and have now got a nice road bike thanks to the work bike loan scheme (not c2w).

jemjah

it's the best way to travel!

i get (got) to see london, or wherever you are cycling, rether than a tunnel or the back of a seat.
it keeps me fit
i don't have to put up with the person next to me coughing all over me.
other cyclists are generally friendly and helpful and actually talk to you on your journey.
it saves money (if you don't constatly upgrade your bike )
i feel invigorated when i get to my destination, rather than ill.

Riatsala

In no particular order:
- The trains are too crowded and unreliable
-" time free" exercise
- eat whatever you like
- not a slave to timetables
- sleep better
- digestive system works much better
- weaned me of a motorcycle addiction

There are probably more but that's more or less it

jjojjas

Because I like it. Simple.
I'm not afraid to say I have 3 cars, I'm a bit of a petrol head, but I like variation so I cycle as well. I'd never be without a bike.
Jas

Specialized Needs

I can't put it better than someone else did on a different thread last week (sorry - I can't remember who :oops:):

When cycling, my commute is part of my leisure time, my me time.

When using the train, my commute is part of the time I put aside for my work.

secretsam

At one end, it means I don't have to buy a car...or walk...

At t'other, it means no tube, which means less stress (just - my route is the Marylebone Road)

Plus it keeps me less fat than I otherwise would be (think: blimp)