Cycling to Work - Pros and Cons

NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 07:48
Last edited 28/05/2019 - 08:05

So I've been riding my bicycle to work regularly as I don't live far away (within 4km) and workplace has a sheltered, secure bike parking area as well as change rooms and showers (which I don't need to use).

Pros:

1) Within 20 mins ride door to door

2) No need to wait for trams/trains

3) No need to interact with undesirables on trams/trains

4) Save some money on public transport

5) Some exercise out of it everyday.

Cons:

1) Takes 10 mins to change into cycling gear every ride (hate normal clothes for riding)

2) Can't carry big/heavy stuff other than a backpack

3) Always on the lookout for bad weather

4) Locking/unlocking the bike gets really monotonous.

5) Bad drivers and bad passengers - nearly got doored this morning.

Anyone else want to chime in?

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • SnowDragon on 28/05/2019 - 07:53
    +12

    Big one for me would be the weather.

    Freezing winter days. Cold rainy/stormy mornings.

    It's nice being in a warm car.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 08:08

      Agreed, i just can't get over how long driving would take from my place to workplace, and how much quicker riding a bike is, especially within such a short distance. Has anyone measured the time efficiency of riding a bike vs driving over short distances?

      • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2019 - 20:46
        +3

        Curious to know how many people replying to this thread have hit a cyclist in their travels. Theyre all affraid of it, must be doing it alot. Or as i suspect, its just a random excuse.

        I got hit in my 2nd week of cycling. Hasnt stopped me doing riding, and i ride more now 4 yrs later.

      • z0s0 on 29/05/2019 - 09:43
        +5

        Do you need to measure the time efficiency?

        Of course cycling is much faster.

        In any major city, at most times of day, any trip of less than 10km will be faster than a car if ridden by a reasonably competent cyclist.

        • Bargain80 on 29/05/2019 - 16:20
          +1

          it depends on the traffic.

          as OP said, it takes 10 min to change riding gear.
          for 10KM ride, you might want to take shower in the morning (you know for courtesy to other colleagues).
          storing bike, locking/unlocking also takes time.

          Most likely Cars still win for 10KM ride.

          • sigur on 29/05/2019 - 19:18
            +3

            @Bargain80: I do 9kms and bike pretty much always wins over driving.

            I have bike parking under the building at work so much faster than walking to the car park, paying the fee and getting the car out of the park (which in itself can take upwards of 10 minutes if traffic has backed up enough to block the car part entrance).

            If I shower at work then I don't shower at home first, so it's not really any different timewise.

            It all depends on the circumstances though - I have to travel in peak hours which has a great effect on driving time but no effect on bike time. And I have to go into the CBD. Average traffic speed for arterial roads into the CBD is about 25km/hour, CBD would be slower.

    • mwahahaha on 29/05/2019 - 14:00
      +3

      I rode every day to work in London winters (which aren't terrible) but much worst than anything you'd get in Sydney. Just put a jumper on you nancy.

      • SnowDragon on 29/05/2019 - 14:19

        Well it was 3 degrees this morning here in Hobart with mild winds.

    • danyool on 29/05/2019 - 18:06

      Freezing winter days.

      Sophie Trudeau (Canada's Prime Minister's wife) shows you how it's done!

      https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/gregoire-trudeau-wi…

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 28/05/2019 - 07:54
    +6

    I used to do 30km each way. No showers or change rooms. I worked in Manly so used the showers on the beach. Winter was horrible but summer/spring was spectacular.

    I could keep my bike in the office so that was good. I preferred cycling to work than driving or PT. That said cycling home, sometimes, was a slog

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 07:59
      +3

      Wow 30km. I'd do that, but only on weekend fun rides. Props to you.

    • Bid Sniper on 28/05/2019 - 08:29

      Spit bridge, I use to do that. bad slog after Mosman back roads.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 28/05/2019 - 10:48
        +1

        I used to go Allambie and Forest way. I lived in Hornsby.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 28/05/2019 - 13:13

          Allambie Road must've been fun to ride up after work everyday!!

          I've barreled down it a few times on my BMX and returned once or twice via Warringah Road or Dee Why, never again!

    • Calmago on 28/05/2019 - 12:56
      +1

      How long would the 30k's take?

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 28/05/2019 - 13:18

        An hour or so. When I factored in parking in Fairlight and then walking down it was quicker to ride than drive.

          • o53djz7qTPY4der on 29/05/2019 - 05:33
            +7

            @p1 ama: 25-30km/h is very doable. It does depend on traffic and lights but when you're going along Mona Vale and Forest way where you have wide service lane and few lights plus a fair few descents and you do this everyday, twice, you'll get quicker. Certainly not 15km/h.

            You have to remember in the TDF the average speed of 40 is often on stages with elevation much higher than that of Sydney - I could never sustain that over 6 hours.

            I can sustain the effort of 30 over a short period of an hour though (or at least I could).

            • p1 ama on 29/05/2019 - 11:58

              @o53djz7qTPY4der: That's awesome - wish I could cruise that fast, but when I cycled, I was only cycling 2.3 km, which I did in around 15 mins. Preferred to take a more leisurely pace and not arrive too tired.

          • Nuggets on 29/05/2019 - 09:28
            +1

            @p1 ama: I regularly hit averages of 30 km/h over 20 km. It's doable at longer rides too, really it comes down to elevation changes, wind, and traffic lights. And traffic.

            When I'm on the flats with no traffic I cruise at around 38 km/h.

            • NotAnAudiophile on 29/05/2019 - 09:46

              @Nuggets: For me the thing that really affects speed is traffic lights. I could probably average 20-25km and I'm notwhere near fit, but lights really slow things down.

  • garetz on 28/05/2019 - 08:04
    +40

    Pros - excercise helps you live longer and healthier

    Con - drivers can kill you easily

  • apsilon on 28/05/2019 - 08:09
    +4

    I'd want showers at work, the fact we don't have them here is the only reason I don't ride now. IMO get panniers for your bike if you can. Better than a backpack as you can not only carry more if you need to but you won't have a sweaty back. The other big con that you didn't list is there are motorists that would literally rather kill you than share the road with you. Other big pros are fitness and saving the public transport costs.

    Given your short distance and facilities available, I think the pros out weigh the costs and would be riding for sure.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 08:12

      I would get panniers, but since I'm riding a road bike it would spoil the lines lol. Don't have a rear rack for panniers either. I'm lucky to have a somewhat flexible work schedule so I get riding early in the morning before peak hour, and leave late afternoon riding home (again before peak hour). I didn't use the showers once - didnt perspire at all as the distances are short, but if I needed to its there (high rise office with full change room/shower facilities for sports).

      • matthewperk on 29/05/2019 - 14:17

        Time to get onto the handlebar bag trend! Or saddle bag! I suggest checking out the Carradice Nelson Longflap with the bagman expedition qr mount. It bolts to your saddle rails and then has a pin locking system. Plenty of space for laptop, clothing etc. and doesn't ruin your lines. Alternatively a roll top handlebar bag which straps onto your handlebars is easily removable and takes weight off your back. I use both depending on bikes and activites. They work really really well.

  • teardrops21 on 28/05/2019 - 08:23
    +4

    I reckon the biggest pro, is that riding is often faster than driving. Also not only do you save time, you get 'free' exercise time.

    Road safety is a big concern if you have to ride on the roads

    • jaimex2 on 30/05/2019 - 13:10

      Car fumes will do wonders for your lungs.

  • brad1-8tsi on 28/05/2019 - 08:24
    +2

    I used to do 8km.

    I could put up with cold weather but riding home on 35c+ days or into a howling wind was "character building."

    I fitted panniers to my bike to increase the load capacity. They were cheap, so the exercise wasn't particularly successful.

  • theHMASfriendship on 28/05/2019 - 08:28
    +25

    Pro: Ability to rearrange cafe furniture at your leisure

    Con: Making clippy-cloppy noises when walking to the counter

  • Bid Sniper on 28/05/2019 - 08:28
    +14

    7km for me, 35min by car (400HP WRX STI) and 25min by bike. Onboard computer on car says average speed of car is 22kph, bike around 30kph.

    Pros; Save on fuel, servicing, depreciation, tolls and insurance. Cardio and commute at the same time, healthier, lost weight, sleep better and happier. I got a good route so less likely to get hit by some idiot but never underestimate stupidity. Also I'm not concerned anyone damaging my car. I can leave whenever I want. Cycle way I can go as fast I want to.

    Got panniers but got a large backpack so I can cycle to the shops for groceries for example.

    Cons; bad weather but thats when I drive in instead.

    If there was a lot more people cycling, would be a healthier society. I laugh at those that get into their cars to drive to the gym to use a cycle machine…

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 08:35
      +3

      I used to gym and swim regularly after work. Nowadays, cycling is just part of daily exercise, and I can cut down on the time I spend in the gym/swimming. Time saving all around…..

      • Bid Sniper on 28/05/2019 - 08:48
        +1

        Save money by not bothering with a Gym membership. Also motivation isn't an issue since you have to go to work, whereas gym, yeah cant be bother today lol

    • nith265 on 28/05/2019 - 11:30
      +6

      Yeah it was the triple efficiency of

      • Getting to work a little quicker
      • Simultaneously getting exercise so not needing to find time after work
      • Not paying for PT

      That really made cycling appealing to me (on the nice days, when it rained I wasn’t doing too much fist pumping)

      • Bid Sniper on 28/05/2019 - 12:09
        +2

        Riding past car parks called roads in Sydney makes it worth it.

        Oh avoiding the plague buses and trains is a huge plus. I get a lot less sick too

    • rave75 on 28/05/2019 - 16:06
      +5

      What's the HP of your bike? Will it takes longer that 35 mins if you use car with less horse power?

      • Bid Sniper on 29/05/2019 - 14:38

        1 HumanPower, if left over meat or baked beans got turbo boost for uphills.

        I think when it comes to Sydney traffic people should use just Golf carts as their daily. Power and speed capability for a vehicle in Sydney is completely irrelevant in terms of ETA. Google maps real time traffic data is what speeds up ETA not engine power or trick drive train.

        • rave75 on 29/05/2019 - 16:53
          +1

          Of course power is relevant but with Sydney roads & traffic, I am sure the difference is insignificant between 150hp car and 350hp car to reach your destination.

  • sheamas88 on 28/05/2019 - 08:34
    +3

    I'm lucky and my work has showers, lockers, towel service, and swipe-card access bike storage.

    Pros:
    - Convenience. I work in the CBD so no other form of transport can get me from the door of my house to the door of my work.
    - Health. Pretty self-explanatory
    - Time. Takes me just as long to cycle as it does to drive/train/bus.
    - Cost. No other form of transport comes close to being as cheap as a bicycle.

    Cons:
    - Weather. Bad weather doens't stop me. If anything I rather ride when heavy rain is on since public transport becomes very unreliable when the weather is bad. I just stay off the road in heavy rain so cars won't hit me cause they couldn't see. But I think most people don't want to ride in the rain.
    - Cars.

    I've been riding to work for about 2 years now, and I've pretty much had it with cars not giving a shit whether they will kill me or not. If my work wasn't so convenient for riding then I think I would have stopped already. Even when riding on the footpath (legal in QLD) I've almost been hit by cars and somehow they still think you're the problem. I think the next time the Xiaomi scooters are on sale I will be getting one of those and be sticking completely to footpaths which are at least slightly safer than being on the road.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 08:36

      "my work has showers, lockers, towel service, and swipe-card access bike storage."

      That sounds like my office building lol.

      • jerjergege on 30/05/2019 - 07:41
        +1

        Pretty much most office towers have something called EOT (End of Trip/Trail) which usually includes bike storage, showers, toilets, lockers etc, and at the lobby of the tower, a nice cafe :P

        • NotAnAudiophile on 30/05/2019 - 07:45

          One of the perks of working in the city. I know I definitely wouldn't be doing it if there weren't the EOT facilities. Its surprising how many people don't know about them, I asked some colleagues and out of 10, more than half didn't even know we had showers downstairs!

  • Cheeper on 28/05/2019 - 08:49
    +2

    -5) Bad drivers and bad passengers - nearly got doored this morning.
    A tip from a long time bike rider…. always leave a good space between you and parked cars.
    It is not always easy to see someone coming on a bike, they are much smaller than a car.

    With the number of incompetent drivers and idiots staring at their phones on the roads these days the risk you are taking is just not worth it. I stopped riding on busy roads many years ago because the the traffic is so heavy now and drivers need to concentrate on too many other things to also have to watch out for people using public roads on bicycles.

    The choice is yours… regardles of laying the "blame" elsewhere, it is a dangerous thing to do.

  • matt1234 on 28/05/2019 - 08:59

    Flat tyres are a massive con - really annoying and inconvenient and happens to me alot.

    • sheamas88 on 28/05/2019 - 09:26

      What tyres do you run? I am pretty rough on by bike, riding through potholes, broken glass, etc and have not had a puncture in 400+ rides. I have cyclocross bike, so have tougher tyres and they have served me very well.

      • matt1234 on 28/05/2019 - 10:22

        29" mtb tires. The last flat was a from a busted valve (man i hate french valves), and the previous two were from pieces of metal.

        • Bid Sniper on 28/05/2019 - 12:07
          +1

          Drill out the rim for car valves, thats what I did. Just countersink the holes to soften edges.

          Also get tires with Kevlar inserts and puncture resistant tubes. Those helped me cut down puncture rate significantly.

        • trongy on 29/05/2019 - 08:24
          +1

          I went from averaging one puncture a month to on per year when I got my first set of puncture resistant tyres.

          I had zero punctures in about four years on my last set of Gatorskins (probably luck was an element there).

          • Nuggets on 29/05/2019 - 09:33
            +1

            @trongy: Same here, but I've gone to some Schwalbe tyres now as they are not only puncture resistant but also actually have some grip in the wet…

    • tsunamisurfer on 28/05/2019 - 14:31
      +2

      I ran Continental Gator Skins or GP4000s Plus a liner inside the tyre and I rarely got punctures.

      • Euphemistic on 28/05/2019 - 14:46
        +1

        Plus one for tyre liners. Went from weekly punctures to pretty much none.

    • Lv80 on 28/05/2019 - 18:50

      Car accidents, refilling, flat car tyres?

      Get better tyres. Watch where you ride.

      It's kinda like buying crap car re-treads, driving over pot holes…then complaining about your tyres, wheel alignment, and rims being damaged.

    • MementoMori on 29/05/2019 - 13:49
      +1

      My bike came with crap tires, I upgraded to Gatorskins - been awesome ever since not a single flat!

  • John on 28/05/2019 - 09:08

    If you're hating to change into gears and locking the bike etc, maybe consider mixing it up with running or walking instead? For 40km probably takes you 30-40 minutes walking and half the time running. You just can't bring much on you.

    • HSV769 on 28/05/2019 - 09:39
      +9

      You must be able to run over 100km an hour John!

      • John on 28/05/2019 - 13:04
        +4

        All you need is a can of redbull!!

        PS: I meant 4km lol

      • Scrooge McDuck on 28/05/2019 - 13:31
        +5

        Meep-meep!

  • Aydin on 28/05/2019 - 09:19
    +11
    • Riding E-Bike for the last year or so
    • E-Bike has paid it's self off within 6 months. Calculated using $45/week public transport costs. Charge at work.
    • 12km's into the city from inner north
    • E-bike has cut commute to 25 minutes into the city
    • Dedicated bike paths and avoiding roads lowers time traveled
    • Feel the cold when it gets down to 7 Degrees
    • Rain not an issue. Only have to watch out for slippery timber bridges mainly found on bike paths following creek
    • Work has end-of-trip facilities, dry-cleaned towels, bike cages, hairdryer, showers, lockers, iron, etc.
    • crentist on 28/05/2019 - 14:42
      +1

      Been doing the same with about half the commute. Loving it. Don't even need to dress up or worry about showers, except on the roasting days. Easy cruise in the morning on full assist, then turn it down after work to push a bit more and de-stress

  • 17833 on 28/05/2019 - 09:20
    +4

    I find riding my bike home from work just melts the stress of the day away. I just get home feeling so much better and happier. If you can do it maybe make the bike ride a bit longer. 4km is short when factoring in preparation etc.
    Bad weather and flat tyres are definitely a con.

    • bennos on 28/05/2019 - 14:29

      So true. My bike ride is my only real down time each day

  • altomic on 28/05/2019 - 09:27
    +5

    I used to cycle daily from NSW to Vic for work (ok, from Albury to Wodonga - 7kms ).

    I loved it. it was soothing to ride (admittedly it was a bike path so no traffic to worry about)

    Cleared my head before work and was refreshing. and on the way back it cleared my head of work and was refreshing,

    Exercise.

  • GG57 on 28/05/2019 - 09:29
    +2

    Riding, in general, is great; exercise, anti-stress, etc., as other have said.
    My only advice to you would be to think of your work colleagues (and others in your work building). I regularly have cyclists getting into the lifts at my work, and it can be very uncomfortable for all if there is a hint of sweaty odour from the lycra, plus the 'bumps and all' look of lycra.
    Hopefully your office building change facilities are before you get to the lifts.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 09:30

      The change facilities are before the lifts, but I get in really early, so nobody uses the lifts that early anyway!

    • 2ndeffort on 31/05/2019 - 13:56

      I look hideous in Lycra but care not a jot about my appearance to others. People are free to look elsewhere if the sight of an overweight middle aged man in Lycra offends their tender sensibilities. There are plenty of people everywhere that I think look dreadful but I dont expect them to cover up for me.

  • miller0 on 28/05/2019 - 09:39
    +1

    I commute each day, roughly 30km return. Have done it for 2 years or so and I feel alot better for it.
    I'm in Canberra where we have a great network of paths, so can avoid the roads usually entirely if I want to.

    For me there's nothing but pro's. You get used to sh1t weather over time - the best thing you can do is invest in decent clothing and once you have that, you're set. Cycling in Canberra during winter can be challenging (rode in -8 last year), but summer is also tough when it's 42 degrees. Again, you just adapt.

    Once you ride for long enough and it becomes to normal means of travel to get to and from work, you don't even think about driving!

  • boomramada on 28/05/2019 - 09:40

    Con :
    https://www.google.com/search?q=cycle+related+injuries+vs+ca…
    Freezing winter days. Cold rainy/stormy mornings.

    I don't have a pro.

    • miller0 on 28/05/2019 - 10:02
      +8

      Obviously you don't ride then.

  • Ryanek on 28/05/2019 - 10:00

    which I don't need to use

    Dude…

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 28/05/2019 - 10:02
    +3

    If it's 4kms I'd be walking. Depending on traffic you could do it in around 40 mins.

    I find riding too much effort (change in/out clothing).

    I am about 4.3kms from my work and walking it is for me

    • Euphemistic on 28/05/2019 - 14:49
      +5

      I’d be cruising 4km in work clothes in a bike over walking.

      • MementoMori on 29/05/2019 - 13:51
        +1

        Yes I just cruise in work clothes - it's fine. Never felt the need to change or shower. If I did, I wouldn't bother.

  • thatonethere on 28/05/2019 - 11:17
    +1

    You can get warts from shared showers so wear thongs (or crocs).

    • Spam Service on 28/05/2019 - 13:59
      +10

      (or crocs)

      Na, I'd rather stick with the warts thanks.

  • DarthAntz on 28/05/2019 - 11:18
    +2

    I used to do 16km to work. I noticed it really improved my mood, and became the highlight of my day. Weather wouldnt bother me, I'd ride with a poncho.

    cons - fear of a flat tyre and needing to leg it home.

    • sheikyerbouti on 28/05/2019 - 13:26

      No way.
      Carry a spare tube, tyre levers, and a CO2 canister and inflator (or a mini pump) - $20 worth at most.

      Get a flat? Take 5 mins to remove the tyre, change over the tube, replace the tyre, inflate, keep riding.

      It's really simple.

      • DarthAntz on 28/05/2019 - 14:32

        I believe you. 5 minutes if you've done it before, and depending on the bike (front/back tyre). I went 18 months without getting a flat, the fear kept me going.

    • MementoMori on 29/05/2019 - 13:52
      +3

      Thanks for reminding me of the mood uplift. I should get back on my bike just for this!

      • DarthAntz on 29/05/2019 - 14:22

        Riding downhill does it for me every time. Mood is a very important part of health.

  • hey aj on 28/05/2019 - 11:24
    +3

    OP I would re-prioritize your con's list:

    5) Bad drivers and bad passengers - nearly got doored this morning.

    This should be number one in my opinion as personal health and safety should be at the top of everyone's list. You increase the risk of being severely injured or killed in an accident when you choose to cycle over driving an automobile.

    I would recommend when making a decision to study how the traffic in your area handles and responds to cyclists on the road; are their parts of your daily commute that look high risk on a bicycle? Are their parts of the commute where cars have to share the road with cyclists? Do a little research as you drive to work so you have some general ideas of how the traffic is and if its worth the risk.

    EDIT I think cycling would be a fantastic way to maintain and further increase my fitness as well as saving money at the same time, but with the motorists that I see on my local commute it would not be worth getting run over. If the daily commute from home to work had nice and clean bicycle lanes the whole way I would jump on it.

    • locknuts on 29/05/2019 - 05:45
      +1

      I agree. I have seen too many cyclists run over to ride to work. The injuries are sometimes horrific. You can't assume everyone is sober, licenced, not tired, not homicidal etc.

      • Euphemistic on 29/05/2019 - 16:30
        +1

        Based on injury rates it is more dangerous to drive or walk to work than ride a bicycle. Far More pedestrians than cyclists are injured by motorists and far more motorists than pedestrians are injured y motorists.

        • locknuts on 29/05/2019 - 20:32
          +2

          Because there are less cyclists on the road than either pedestrians or motorists. Getting hit by a car as a cyclist or pedestrian can really mangle you.

          • Euphemistic on 30/05/2019 - 06:43

            @locknuts: Of course it can cause serious damage and there are plenty of idiot drivers. I’d be interested to know how you’ve ‘seen so many run over’. From what I’ve seen (including news stories) it’s probably more dangerous being in a shop from the number of elderly drivers that like to park in them.

            Anyway, you keep your bias against ‘dangerous’ cycling, I’ll keep cycling because it is great.

            • UFO on 30/05/2019 - 08:14

              @Euphemistic: It's not a bias mate… it's fact, no need to get flustered.

              "Based on injury rates it is more dangerous to drive or walk to work than ride a bicycle. Far More pedestrians than cyclists are injured by motorists and far more motorists than pedestrians are injured y motorists."

              First sentence you made, completely wrong.
              It's MUCH more dangerous to ride a bike than driving a car or walking to work. You are looking at total injuries, but you aren't even considering number of participants to get those injuries. As a percentage of actual users (which is a much more accurate figure), you are far more likely to be injured or killed riding a bicycle than any other mode of transport except motorbike.

              Second sentence you made, completely correct.
              Because from the sheer number of pedestrians on or near the road every day, and same argument with motorists… many more on the road at any given time.

              No one is saying don't ride a bike. But your claims are flat out wrong that its safer than other modes of transport like walking or driving.

              Not only are you more likely to get injured on a bike than any other mode of transport, but the seriousness of the injury is far more dangerous than if you were driving a car.

              It's commonsense.
              As a bike rider, you are typically placing yourself in traffic around much bigger, heavier, and faster moving objects. You are making them avoid you by being on the road. They must overtake you safely. That's fine, you're entitled to be there… but its a damn dangerous position to put yourself in every day. Other drivers are moving with the flow on the road and occupying an entire lane safely. Easier to see as well.

              Pedestrians stay on footpaths. The only time it becomes dangerous is when they cross the road. When they are off it, they are very safe.

              • Euphemistic on 30/05/2019 - 13:38

                @UFO: I guess it just bugs me when someone says it’s damgerous and they stick to driving short distances instead of getting exercise while reducing traffic congestion. While we are at it I’d much rather ride on a cycle path because of the reduced contact with traffic, but sometimes riding on the roads is necessary.

                Thousands of cyclists enjoy it, consider it no more dangerous than riding a motorcycle and benefit from extra exercise and reduced traffic problems.

                I know there are plenty of people who will drive to the gym and jump on a spin cycle or treadmill because it’s ‘so dangerous’ outside. The media and big business marketing have all got us brainwashed if you can’t go for a run or ride out on the streets.

              • Euphemistic on 30/05/2019 - 19:09
                +1

                @UFO: Actually, put it another way: cycling isn’t dangerous, its the traffic. Walking isn’t dangerous, it’s the traffic. Driving isn’t that dangerous, it’s the other traffic.

                Finding ways to avoid being in close proximity to fast moving, motorised traffic is a good way to make cycling a very enjoyable, active and cheap form of transport. We need more cyclists, we need more cycleways to make the happen.

                • UFO on 31/05/2019 - 17:31

                  @Euphemistic: I completely agree with everything you said.

                  It's less about the act of riding (or walking), but the dangers that result in mixing with traffic.
                  I live in Canberra… lots of cycle paths. And it can be a very pleasant relaxing ride. But a lot of riders still choose to play in traffic. And the result with inpatient Canberra drivers can only be bad for riders.

  • TheBilly on 28/05/2019 - 11:32

    That distance is a no brainer, 4km is ideal. I tried doing this except I had a 36km commute each way so 72km total. If I did the 72km route it was via motorways, and after 2 attempts I got over the constant fear of death and potential for being run over by a truck and dog. If I took the cycle ways, the speed was too slow along with an added about 15km to the overall journey. This made the time not viable.

  • slow on 28/05/2019 - 11:57

    I really enjoy my ride to work, esp. if the weather is good. About 12 km, but I often make it longer. My work has showers and bike parking area.

    Main con is all the stuffing around before and after - making sure I pack everything, and plan ahead a bit so I am not carrying too much or leave anything behind (leave some clothes at work). And then when i arrive the bike storage place and shower are quite far from my desk and locker, which is a bit of a hassle and takes time.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 28/05/2019 - 13:35

      I identify with this! Put on cycling gear - 10 mins. Lock the bike - 5 mins. It all adds up….

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