Why don't more people cycle to work?

mollser

Wombatman wrote: »

From 2013. No reason why we can't be up around 20% for at least once per day.

Gas that graph, its all the countries with the worst/coldest/wettest/snowiest weather have the highest % of cyclists - at the other end of the scale you've spain with the perfect climate with hardly any cyclists - probably too hot :rolleyes:

No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing:p

hansgruber at gmail.com

theyoungchap wrote: »

It does of course depend where you are cycling, not with somebody else's life would I cycle the quays.

This sentence concerns me.

I cycled in an home last week for the first time part of my journey was using the Quays each way, I found it OK. Maybe I'm missing something or should I be concerned as a noob?

Ray Bloody Purchase

hansgruber at gmail.com wrote: »

This sentence concerns me.

I cycled in an home last week for the first time part of my journey was using the Quays each way, I found it OK. Maybe I'm missing something or should I be concerned as a noob?

No, just take your time and keep your wits about you. That's all that's needed.

theyoungchap

hansgruber at gmail.com wrote: »

This sentence concerns me.

I cycled in an home last week for the first time part of my journey was using the Quays each way, I found it OK. Maybe I'm missing something or should I be concerned as a noob?

Could be just my perception, I regularly drive it and I would not fancy cycling it. Just seems to be loads of buses, vans, etc but as poster above says, and it sounds like he knows more than me, keep your wits about you and you'll be grand.

Wishbone Ash

mollser wrote: »

Gas that graph, its all the countries with the worst/coldest/wettest/snowiest weather have the highest % of cyclists - at the other end of the scale you've spain with the perfect climate with hardly any cyclists - probably too hot :rolleyes:p....

What's with the 'don't knows'? How can someone not know if they cycle or not? :rolleyes:

DavyD_83

mollser wrote: »

Gas that graph, its all the countries with the worst/coldest/wettest/snowiest weather have the highest % of cyclists - at the other end of the scale you've spain with the perfect climate with hardly any cyclists - probably too hot :rolleyes:

No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing:p

Ah here; I couldn't cope with cycling in Spanish weather.
Nothing better than a refreshing cycle in the rain (as long as you can change at the other end).

opus

One of the fun things to be negotiated in Cork if you work in one of the many companies based in Mahon! It's a real photo btw



Luckily I don't work in that area but it's my favorite bit of cycling lane insanity I see around the place.

BeepBeep67

theyoungchap wrote: »

And you'd need thousands of bikes if everybody parks there and hops on a bike. Those city bikes are not intended for commuting......so that is a non-runner.

If you want a bike for commuting like so, get a foldy bike to fit into the car.......or a cheap old bike which you could lock at such a car park

I don't buy that, if you want change, you have to be disruptive.
Cycling 3k is fine on a city bike.
Big wide cycle lanes, lots of bikes, plenty of transportation.

manonboard

07Lapierre wrote: »

Pollution? Are you saying you feel less exposed to pollution while driving or on a bus or train? In heavy traffic, sitting in a car (confined space) is probably the worst place to be. Cars have pollen filters but they only block large particles not gases.

I find it far more difficult to breath when cycling beside heavy traffic, than when in my car.
I'm not sure how to explain it other than calling it pollution? More diffused by the time it gets to my car than if im beside a car on a bike?

Dr_Colossus

hansgruber at gmail.com wrote: »

This sentence concerns me.

I cycled in an home last week for the first time part of my journey was using the Quays each way, I found it OK. Maybe I'm missing something or should I be concerned as a noob?

theyoungchap wrote: »

Could be just my perception, I regularly drive it and I would not fancy cycling it. Just seems to be loads of buses, vans, etc but as poster above says, and it sounds like he knows more than me, keep your wits about you and you'll be grand.

I cycle the full length of the quays from before Heuston past Custom House each day and my biggest issue with them is the road surface on the north quays. The surface is an absolute disgrace around the four courts and again once past O'Connell bridge requiring you to bob and weave ruts in the road, manholes and badly repaired potholes.

Dublin Bus drivers for the most part I find observant and with a willingness to share the infrastructure. Of the different full time drivers regularly frequently the city centre (hgv's not as frequent any longer since the port tunnel) they're the only collective group of professional standard.

cdaly_

gk5000 wrote: »

The gov should scrap a few bus lanes here and there to make a few dedicated cycle ways - say one through Ranelagh.... etc.

You don't want to remove bus lanes. They carry huge numbers of people, far more than the car lane beside them. Remove a car lane to make cycleways...

manonboard

Weepsie wrote: »

Do you drive? The pollution is worsein the car? Do you use public transport and breathe in what every body else is spewing out?

We are not in a smog laden industrial city in south east asia. Pollution while on the bike is not any more of a problem than it would be when out walking really.


Roads are not dangerous. Bad drivers, and nervous cyclists are not a good mix. Better infrastructure would be great, but changing behaviours is far more important I think.

Also, Galway, that's a city I don't like cycling in. I've never felt more in danger anywhere else. Drivers just have no patience, or no awareness. Nearly got t-boned when I was with a group that had a garda escort. Car still didn't stop!

Hi, Yes I do drive. I run too, and i cycle.
I cycle in a park or along country areas for fun. Not for commuting for the reasons i listed in my OP.
Yes i also do use public transport. Every day. I use the luas to get to work. I find it far easier to breathe on it as its further from the roads for the vast majority of time, and often doesnt have cars right beside it as it replaces a cars position on the road.

I find the exposure to pollution, fumes, gases and smells to be far worse when cycling in traffic then walking on a foot path a little away from it. This makes sense given that gases diffuses.
I find it a rare occurrence if i am in my car, and I have trouble getting a deep breath due to air quality. On a bike, i find it frequently especially approaching lights and there are buses beside me.
Some streets in town are worse than others for it.

07Lapierre

manonboard wrote: »

I find it far more difficult to breath when cycling beside heavy traffic, than when in my car.
I'm not sure how to explain it other than calling it pollution? More diffused by the time it gets to my car than if im beside a car on a bike?

It’s harder to breath when cycling due to the effort of cycling?

magicbastarder

Air pollution more harmful to children in cars than outside, warns top scientist
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/12/children-risk-air-pollution-cars-former-uk-chief-scientist-warns

TL;DR - cycling is far better for your lungs than sitting in a car.

tomasrojo

There are studies that show that the pollution levels are worse inside cars, due to an engine being right there in front of you, and the exhaust of the car in front pointing straight back at you.

You do breathe more deeply when cycling though. AFAIR, cycling is still overall better for your lung health.

EDIT: magicbastarder got there first.

NIMAN

1) Weather
2) Lack of creature comforts like radio's, heated seats
3) Chance of being knocked down
4) Arrive at work all sweaty
5) Having to carry change of clothes

magicbastarder

6) co-workers being openly jealous of you with your chiselled thighs and cyclists tan.

Weepsie

Plus by driving, you're adding to the air pollution problem

Unless someone wants to have a debate on emissions again..

07Lapierre

magicbastarder wrote: »

6) co-workers being openly jealous of you with your chiselled thighs and cyclists tan.

7) less sick days off work
8) no fag breaks

tomasrojo

NIMAN wrote: »

1) Weather
2) Lack of creature comforts like radio's, heated seats
3) Chance of being knocked down
4) Arrive at work all sweaty
5) Having to carry change of clothes

While it certainly does happen, the chances of 3) happening to you aren't massively larger than when you walk.

The other 4 points are fair enough (the sweaty thing depends on what you are like; I don't have a problem with it over a distance of up to about 8km, and it's not hard to carry a spare top in a sandwich bag), but, apart from really enjoying all the cycling, I'd rather have the extra few grand per year in pocket than the creature comforts. And the extra time for doing other things than commuting, now I think about it.

Wishbone Ash

Regarding the many comments about being sweaty, in my experience most cyclists I see commuting are overdressed, with some being grossly overdressed.

It's excessively mild today yet cyclists are out in winter jackets, rain jackets, tights, overshoes, full fingered gloves, beanies etc. when shorts, and a short sleeved jersey are more than adequate.

Another problem which causes sweat are all those hi viz jackets which are rarely breathable. If you need to wear hi viz use a Sam Browne instead. You should be cold leaving your house/work - not warm.

mickredirl

Love cycling and would love to cycle to work... Unfortunately i would be taking my life in my own hands as the road from Swords in North county to Lusk is deadly dangerous. Have tried it three times and each time got nearly run over or knocked of the bike!! Seriously need cycle lanes in North county Dublin.

Wishbone Ash

mickredirl wrote: »

Love cycling and would love to cycle to work... Unfortunately i would be taking my life in my own hands as the road from Swords in North county to Lusk is deadly dangerous. Have tried it three times and each time got nearly run over or knocked of the bike!! Seriously need cycle lanes in North county Dublin.

I cycle that road almost daily and rarely have any problems on it.

Fian

Re the showers:

I have shower facilities in work, I don't use them.

I shower in the morning before I leave home. Get into work, spend about 20 minutes at my desk in cycling clothes to fully cool down. Then change all my clothes, with a quick baby wipe for sweaty areas and a spray of deodorant. change back into cycling clothes at the end of the day and shower again when i get home before changing into home clothing. I leave suits, shoes etc. in work and bring in socks, underwear and shirt.

When I used the shower the small shower room would fill with steam and my shirt would be more damp by the time i got back to my desk after changing in a hot shower room than if I just wait to cool down and then change all my clothes in my office. Trick is to change all clothes - socks, underwear, the lot. I can lock the door of my office, otherwise I would just probably change in toilets. Once or twice I've had a mini heart attack when realised I had forgotten to lock the door, never had anyone walk in on me though.

Wishbone Ash

Fian wrote: »

... spend about 20 minutes at my desk in cycling clothes to fully cool down....

WTF? :eek:

What do your work colleagues think?

Fr Tod Umptious

Loads of posts here from Dublin based people about how good the cycle to work is.

Good for you.

But the OP mentioned Galway and there is one big difference between Galway and Dublin that I have noticed living a number of years in both cities.

It rains s hell of a lot more often in Galway than Dublin.

And that is one very obvious reason that will stop people from cycling.

Felexicon

N.96 wrote: »

1. It's dangerous because we don't have the right infrastructure

2. It rains a lot - this is a particular deterrent if you have long hair...

3. No showers at work - many people work in jobs where you have to be presentable and I don't think putting nice clothes/ make up on a sweaty body is going to go down very well

4. Even if work has a shower you would have to lug a big bag with you to bring towel, shoes, shampoo, make up, etc. and then most likely a spare set of cycling gear for going home so you don't have to change back in to the wet ones


I would love to cycle everywhere but it's just not feasible for me

Did you ever hear the expression "You have a problem for every solution"

stateofflux

I live in Ranelagh and work in Dundrum.

There is no way in hell i would cycle. The fact is dublin does not have the proper road infrastructure for cycling safely. anyone that says otherwise is tripping.

07Lapierre

N.96 wrote: »

1. It's dangerous because we don't have the right infrastructure

2. It rains a lot - this is a particular deterrent if you have long hair...

3. No showers at work - many people work in jobs where you have to be presentable and I don't think putting nice clothes/ make up on a sweaty body is going to go down very well

4. Even if work has a shower you would have to lug a big bag with you to bring towel, shoes, shampoo, make up, etc. and then most likely a spare set of cycling gear for going home so you don't have to change back in to the wet ones


I would love to cycle everywhere but it's just not feasible for me

It's only dangerous if you cycle "timidly" ...assert yourself and cycle with confidence and you'll be fine.

Have a shower before you leave the house..unless your commute is 40k each way, it's not a problem.

Can you leave stuff in work?

I drive into work at least once a week....it's my "Laundry Day"
I bring in 4 days worth of work clothes and I bring home the previous weeks dirty clothes.
I leave spare cycling shorts, spare socks, a lock, a spare inner tube, a puncture repair kit, a pump and a multi tool in work.

This means i can cycle up to 4 days a week and I hate the days I have to drive! (The traffic does my head in!)

I also check the forecast daily. If it's due to rain in the morning I'll usually drive and that day is my "laundry day". If it rains on the way home? So what ... Theres a shower and a change of clothes waiting!

In short...if you want to cycle, you can, if you don't want to cycle, you will always find an excuse.

magicbastarder

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Regarding the many comments about being sweaty, in my experience most cyclists I see commuting are overdressed, with some being grossly overdressed.

One thing I neglected to mention earlier - I cycle with a bag on my back for the commute. Usually just has a clean tshirt, boxers, socks, overshoes etc. in it, so very light. But I reckon it doubles how sweaty I get on the cycle.