Commuting - Dependability

One forum member mentioned that at one time, his bicycle commuting actually hindered his career. That's not the first time I've heard that. Moreover, I've heard it said that someone was laid off because his bicycle commuting was not considered a dependable form of transportation. These are really sad commentaries on how some employers see bicycle commuting in a negative light.

But when I think about the truth, here's what I've noticed about my own commuting habits. When I took mass transit, I was occasionally late to work because of mechanical difficulties on the train, or due to a late bus. When I drove, from time to time I'd be late because of traffic holdups--once you're stuck in one, there's no getting out of it.

But when I ride my bike to work, one thing's almost 100% for sure: I'll get to work exactly when I predicted I would. For me, it's turned out to be the most dependable form of transportation I've ever used. No baloney.

I second that. My bicycle is far more reliable than the subways. and, unlike a car, I can fix whatever goes wrong with my bike - as long as it's not a crash.

If the way you get to work hinders or ends your career, then your boss probably has more than one bias you'd find inexplicable or offensive. It's not inconceivable that cyclocommuters are thought of as any one of the following: hippies, commies, tree huggers, nuts, poor, danger-seekers, homosexuals, or any other group that deviates from the "norm". It's sad when anyone castigates people on the basis of false link between one perception and another. If you cyclocommute, then you must be a hippie. One has nothing to do with the other and being either is not bad except to the person who thinks either or both are bad.

To the OP, I'd say for me, it's not almost 100% sure that I'll be at work when I predict because of flats, headwinds and bad traffic. But that's cuz I don't include any extra time in case of flats, headwinds and bad traffic.

yeah when my girlfriend started commuting her biggest joy was that we could actually leave whenever we wanted as opposed to waiting for a bus which rarely comes on time sometimes, and never on your schedule. we cruise to work pretty much independently of the hellish traffic jams that can occur and always end up at work or home consistantly.

if you get a flat or other minor mechanical your maybe 5-10 minutes late... she got stuck in traffic on the bus for an extra half or so hour at least once a week.

biking to work is PURE FREEDOM! especailly compared to public transportation...

one of the reasons i think i am so addicted to commuting is because i know what a pain in the @ss taking the bus is compared to just pedalling in.

Definitely, cycling is the most reliabe way I have to get to work, versus subway (the usual), bus(would take forever!), taxi (too much $$$), borrowing/owning a car (PITA).

When i bike, i leave 20 min early.

20 min gives me time to change, cool down, dry off, etc, all before everyone else arrives.
It also gives me time to fix a flat in case I do get one.

So unless its a crash, or somethign major that breaks, Im always on time or early. Neither of which could be said when i drove.

I'm lucky. I'm not on a clock, so I can't be "late" for work. The later I get in, the later I leave. I know a doctor who commuted about 15 miles each way, and spent a FORTUNE on tubes/tires to prevent flats because it was obviously very important he gets to work on time.

Absolutely right about dependability. I am so much less at the mercy of external forces on my bike. The biggest determinant of how fast I get to work is how hard I feel like pedaling.

Washington DC is a city of weather wimps. They cancelled school here last year one day when there were snow flurries, no accumulation. I've ridden my bike to work on days when more than half my office didn't come in. It might take ten minutes longer than normal.

The only more reliable way of getting to work would be walking, but it takes four times as long.

I agree with DCCommuter. Before I started riding my bike to work, every workday with a forecast of snow carried the risk of spending hours just to drive the five miles to home. With a bike, I know that I'll make it no more then ten minutes longer than usual. Peace of mind is worth a lot.

Paul

After over 20 years of commuting year round on the bike, I've only been late once
(3 flats - first time, I rushed with the tube replacement and didn't check the tire for what may have caused the flat, and guess what? Flat after the change bout a block from the change. Second change, I checked nd pulled out some glass and got about 2 blocks down the road and guess what? Flat after the second change because I missed the second piece of glass in the tire.)
where most people manage to be late because of traffic about 4 or 5 times a year.

I've had letters of recognition for my reliability. I credit the bike.

I've mostly been lucky enough that whenever I found a position I usually lived within 8 miles of the office. When I lived in Los Angeles I had a couple of jobs that would have made biking to work a rear task so I drove to those. But most of my career I've been able to ride to work and only use the car for bad weather days. I do however arrive at work at least 1/2 hour ahead of time just in case something were to happen, but also makes me look like I'm dedicated.

Wouldn't you know it?

This morning, I saw blue lights ahead, then fire engines blocking the road. Could have been a holdup if I had been driving.

This is one time I have to say I was happy for the bike path on the opposite side of the street...well, even without the path, I could have gotten by somehow.

(Sorry, I don't mean to overlook the sad fact that someone's house had caught fire, I hope everyone was ok.)

This morning, I saw blue lights ahead, then fire engines blocking the road. Could have been a holdup if I had been driving.

This is one time I have to say I was happy for the bike path on the opposite side of the street...well, even without the path, I could have gotten by somehow.

Last year there was a major collision at an intersection on the main road for my commute. They had the entire intersection taped off. This is in the country, and the backtrack to the nearest alternate route was about 6 miles. I picked up my bike, cut across the wheat field next to the road, stopped for a few seconds to commiserate with the truck driver who was not going to be allowed to back his truck up and was going to be stuck there for about 4 hours, and got home about 3 minutes late.

I definately enjoy the bike ride coming into work. It puts me in a whole nother relaxed state. Suprisingly, I have biked into work about 20 out of 30 days last month and each time no one said anything about me doing desk work in bike clothes while I "cooled down." Only thing I'm scared of from continued commuting is the wind off the Anacostia and freezing bike paths on Curtis Trail (I also live in DC); there are slicks on the commuter right now and I don't feel like changing them out each time. I'm glad I have a metro right next to where I live ... its the backup :)

But when I ride my bike to work, one thing's almost 100% for sure: I'll get to work exactly when I predicted I would. For me, it's turned out to be the most dependable form of transportation I've ever used. No baloney.
Same here.
When I drive :eek: I never know what calamity lies just down the road and I can't avoid it once I'm in the midst of hundreds of cars.
On the bike, I just move to the next lane (or sometimes the sidewalk) until I'm past the mess and I'm on my way, laughing at the poor motorists who, as I look in my mirror, are quickly fading from view.

When I bike, I get to work earlier and am ready to work earlier than when I drive. The exercise makes employees brains work better and I beleive would results in less absenteeism. It virtually always takes the same amount of time to bike. Not so for commuting by car because of the not infrequent car accident and traffic jam. I've never got a flat while commuting. Years ago a ped family stepped out in front of me right at a high speed chicane and I hit the rear brake too hard and wrecked. I still made it to work on time.

In Zimbabwe recently employers started giving people bikes because of fuel shortages. The fuel shortages have caused the public transportation system to become sporadic. (see Cape Times) Employers are all to often slow to respond to market pressures and loose out becuase of it. Commuting is something that affects nearly all businesses. Smart businesses should promote commuting by bike-- if for no other reason that to tout their part in improving the environment, lesson fuel shortages and show their forward thinking.

We should list any company that makes it difficult to commute by bike and systematically address thier issues. The organization, “Transportation Alternatives” recently published a list of 40 companies that support bike commuting in NYC. (see last week’s nyt) We should have a black list of companies as well.

Our laws should be changed so as to eliminate liability issues for companies who want to permit biking on their private property and to allow the progressive companies tax breaks for company built bike facilities.

And then there are always a few people who can not get where they are supposed to be on time no matter what transportation system they use.

This morning, I saw blue lights ahead, then fire engines blocking the road. Could have been a holdup if I had been driving.

This is one time I have to say I was happy for the bike path on the opposite side of the street...well, even without the path, I could have gotten by somehow.

LBM, I'm with you. There were about a dozen cars backed up in both directions from that fire this morning. I just skirted by on the path and was right on time for my morning meeting (which got canceled).