Commuting - distance bike commuting becoming fashionable?

For years, I am accustomed to being regarded as a nut for riding my bike to work. However, over the past year, it seems like there's been a change in peoples' attitudes. Whereas, the old reaction when people found out how far I rode would typically be "Holy crap!", it now is more along the lines of "Sweet -- sounds like a nice ride..."

My one way distance to the office is 22 miles, but I do not have the longest bike commute where I work. My next door neighbor who drives a monster truck and took up cycling a year or two ago rides his bike 14 miles each way to work, and I've seen him on the roads slogging home in the dark during winter storms. A buddy of his who took up cycling the same time as he did rides 22 miles each way. BTW, just looking at these two, the improvement in fitness for both of them has been phenomenal and they ride recreational centuries.

It seems like more people at work are riding their bikes, and I swear I'm seeing significantly more cyclists on the highways. Has anyone else noticed a similar phenomenon, or is this peculiar to my area?

When I started I was the only bike in the rack, last Friday there were 6, and 4 more in teh bushes at the other entrance. I know several who ride more than 10 miles each way and 2 that are near my 21 EW.

I'm not seeing it in person. I have a sense that something's happening from the internet, but that's not always accurate.

I'm not seeing it in person. I have a sense that something's happening from the internet, but that's not always accurate.

You may be more right than you realize. I think in general, the internet has allowed so many people to realize they are not alone in their interests, whether that be cycling or some other hobby/lifestyle. This networking likely gives people more confidence to continue with their interest with the thought that there are others out there like them. Of course this may or may not be a conscious thought, but I've seen it in more places than just cycling.

Neither am I. We still have the same number of commuters in my office. Me.
There are a fair number of riders out even in snowstorms but that is par for the course in Denver.

It's still just me and one other guy who rides in a couple times a week. People say they're going to start (especially those who live less than 3 miles away) but I never seen any more bikes here. Maybe when the weather gets nicer. It was 25*F again this morning. *brrrrr*

It seems like more people at work are riding their bikes, and I swear I'm seeing significantly more cyclists on the highways. Has anyone else noticed a similar phenomenon, or is this peculiar to my area? At my work, I'm meeting more people who self-identify as cyclists, but they're still largely recreational cyclists and I'm the only one that comes in year-round. There are about four others in my building who will ride in during the summer and their commutes are around 10 miles one-way.

There's another fellow in the company downstairs who rides a Rivendell Atlantis in somewhat regularly, but he stopped riding after the first snow. I have no idea how far he rides.

I will say, though, that while I have no idea how far any of the commutes are for the folks that I'm seeing on the road, I am seeing more cyclists and more importantly, seeing more cyclists riding in winter. It used to be that between November and March, I'd see one or two riders a week on my commuting routes. Now, it's easily one or two each way every day that I ride.

For what it is worth, we should see a brief increase in the number of commuters when gas hits $4 a gallon this summer. At least that it is the prediction I keep seeing.

I have a few folks here who like to talk about how they'll start riding to work... "once it gets nice out" or "this summer". The number of people that live within a few miles of the office but still insist on driving is quite staggering. I have one colleague who walks to work; she lives about 6 blocks away.

when I had my 3rd or 4th interview at this company it was with the HR director. I told her I was planning to commute by bike (about 25 miles each way) and she didn't believe me. that was over 4 years ago and she no longer works here but I have missed less than 10 commutes in those years so I guess I proved her wrong.

I would like to believe that attitudes are changing but I just don't see it.

For what it is worth, we should see a brief increase in the number of commuters when gas hits $4 a gallon this summer. At least that it is the prediction I keep seeing.

I thought the same thing when it hit $2.50, then $3. Around here it hasn't yet gone too far over that, but I just paid $3.20 and .40 on a trip to NY this weekend. I keep wondering... just how painful does it have to get before people get out of those damned SUVs and pickup trucks, and out of cars altogether? $4 won't do it. Maybe $5? Probably not.

Sorry to be a pessimist, but the last option most people will choose is a bike. My fear is that the economy will crash first, and we'll all stop commuting to work and commute to the welfare lines and unemployment offices instead.

Hmm.. it appears I'm in a mood today. :mad:

A few of us here are steady bike commuters. Others say they should bike more, or they used to, that sort of thing, but I don't think even $4 gas is going to get them back in the swing of it. Might get my wife back to using her light though (current rule of thumb is no daylight one way, no ride)

I noticed this too yesterday while riding home. The bike trail from Santa Rosa to Sebastopol was quite crowded. I saw two groups on shiny new cruiser type bikes and they didn't look to experienced. The bummer is they could use some skills.

An older couple with their kids was slowly pedaling and leaving no room to pass. I slowed and anounced myself with a hello. The wife kinda freaked out and sped up and almost hit one of the other riders. The husband yelled at her. I felt pretty bad and said I was in no hurry. I don't know if using a bell would have been better.

Maybe bike shops should push some street skills classes and etiuquitte with new bikes for newbies.

I wish they would stripe the trail with a center line. I think that might help.

But there were sure were a lot a people on the trail. BTW, it was about 70 deg yesterday.

Jeff

I thought the same thing when it hit $2.50, then $3. Around here it hasn't yet gone too far over that, but I just paid $3.20 and .40 on a trip to NY this weekend. I keep wondering... just how painful does it have to get before people get out of those damned SUVs and pickup trucks, and out of cars altogether? $4 won't do it. Maybe $5? Probably not.

Sorry to be a pessimist, but the last option most people will choose is a bike. My fear is that the economy will crash first, and we'll all stop commuting to work and commute to the welfare lines and unemployment offices instead.

Hmm.. it appears I'm in a mood today. :mad:

I should point out that I said a "brief increase". :)

$5 may not do it...but $8-9/gal will! I just moved from Alabama (pretty dang cheap gas) to Oslo, Norway with my wife. I'm spending about $85 to fill the 9 gal tank weekly. It's been silly expensive in Europe for a while. In the late 90s I was seeing 5-6 bucks a gallon in Germany.

I'n not sure if there is a different cycling culture here...it seems that way to me...but the one thing I can confirm is that there is alot more bikes daily here then I ever saw in 'bama. The road authorities seem to embrace better as well. I've ridden 60KM loops entirely on bike path and marked bike lanes on the road here. It's very refreshing. My only qualm so far is when the bike paths cross the main roads it's not unlike a sidewalk to crosswalk transition in the states and drivers aren't always "aware" of us...

Although I'm an "irregular" commuter at best, I WILL be more consistent at making my ride in to work. It's a bit longer than I'm used to but I choose to look at it as the ultimate training ride plus I get to work and back for a heck of lot less than 9 bucks a gallon!

I haven't noticed any increase in bike commuting where I live or work, but I also think that will change once gasoline tops $4/gallon and the weather warms up. A lot of people in my office started carpooling when gas topped $3/gallon. Although the potential pool of bike commuters isn't as large, there are substantial numbers of weekend warriors who don't commute now but might give it serious consideration.

I think that there has been an increase around me -- in Southern California. I think there are a lot of influences, such as rising gas costs, but there are more and more large groups of people on bikes (e.g., Midnight Ridazz) and an actual bicycle culture seems to be springing up. Also, I note that the LBS has started carrying commuting-specific urban bikes -- it's not for nothing that a bicycle maker will introduce such products -- there *is* a growing market.

That said, I'm still the only bike commuter at my work and many people live within five miles. There is a long way to go, but I remain optimistic.

Is there a national "bike to work day"? I've thought of making the trip, at least once. Looks like about 45 miles -- one way. I really would love to find a way to commute part way, and hitch a ride with a coworker...

when I had my 3rd or 4th interview at this company it was with the HR director. I told her I was planning to commute by bike (about 25 miles each way) and she didn't believe me. that was over 4 years ago and she no longer works here but I have missed less than 10 commutes in those years so I guess I proved her wrong.

At my last job in California there were four animators. Two of us rode our bikes from a distance of 9-10 miles. The other two drove in to work from less than a mile away. Our Art Director was a recreational rider on the weekend with a comfort bike, but you could tell he was suspicious of the bicyclists ability to show up on time.

That was till one day when he came in my office looking for my office mate. A little while later he came back in and apparently the two drivers had not been able to make it into work, just the bicyclists. I told him that maybe he should just hire bicyclists who lived far away. ;) He never mentioned it again.

Is there a national "bike to work day"? I've thought of making the trip, at least once. Looks like about 45 miles -- one way. I really would love to find a way to commute part way, and hitch a ride with a coworker...

Yes there is. It is May 16. National Bike To Work Day (http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/). It is being celebrated by many groups across the country. Check with your local bike clubs or LAB (http://www.bikeleague.org/index.php).

I think the slower the roads get, the less differential there is between biking vs. driving, and the less insane it will seem. I only have 6.5 miles, but the reaction I get is "yeah, that sounds pretty nice" when I talk to people about it. I have a coworker who rides recreationally and thinking about doing his 8 mile commute - he jokingly said he was feeling shown up when I rolled in on my bike in pretty much any weather this winter.

I think there is a tipping point to some extent that will come when almost anyone knows a couple of people who bike to work. One guy you can excuse as a kook, but when it starts popping up more, I think a lot of people will really start thinking about it.

As for gas prices...I think not enough people have had it occur to them that biking is an option, because we're not yet at that tipping point where everyone knows a couple cyclists. Additionally, given the extreme commutes people have, a non-cyclist just can't start riding 200 miles a week to commute like some of you guys can. On the other hand, people with shorter commutes are less affected by gas prices and may not need to commute. I think before you see more cyclists, you'll see people choosing to live closer to work or work closer to home. That will take a few years of sustained high gas prices. But if that does happen, if the average commute distance goes down, that would open up the possibility of people riding to work more.

flyor64,

I hope your move landed you an increase in pay. Norway has a much higher standard of living and Oslo is expensive! Whenever I'm over there I feel poor :)


$5 may not do it...but $8-9/gal will! I just moved from Alabama (pretty dang cheap gas) to Oslo, Norway with my wife. I'm spending about $85 to fill the 9 gal tank weekly. It's been silly expensive in Europe for a while. In the late 90s I was seeing 5-6 bucks a gallon in Germany.

I'n not sure if there is a different cycling culture here...it seems that way to me...but the one thing I can confirm is that there is alot more bikes daily here then I ever saw in 'bama. The road authorities seem to embrace better as well. I've ridden 60KM loops entirely on bike path and marked bike lanes on the road here. It's very refreshing. My only qualm so far is when the bike paths cross the main roads it's not unlike a sidewalk to crosswalk transition in the states and drivers aren't always "aware" of us...

Although I'm an "irregular" commuter at best, I WILL be more consistent at making my ride in to work. It's a bit longer than I'm used to but I choose to look at it as the ultimate training ride plus I get to work and back for a heck of lot less than 9 bucks a gallon!

Yeah I can't see some folks who these epic 60mile+ one ways moving closer due to other obligations either. The ones who live close enough to easily bicycle right off the bat gripe about gas prices but aren't really affected commute $ wise. Heck I think I calced out <$10 a week in gas at $3 triple it and I'm at $30 hardly something I'm going to notice at the pump.
I do know a number of people who got an old small car for commuting because of higher gas prices. This means they keep the nice car/SUV for weekend of social events and as a bonus gets less wear and might last longer or at least look nicer longer. Adding a second car to insurance is pretty cheap especially if it is older and if set as your primary vehicle could even make it cheaper overall

I'm not seeing it in person. I have a sense that something's happening from the internet, but that's not always accurate.

Same...i sense it on the internet...but I don't see many people where I live cycle. Only a few here or there... that's about it. I think when the temperature increases we will see an increase.

The two commuters where I work both have one ways over 20 miles. Both of us use it for training too. It's a great way to save money, get to work, and train at the same time. You just can't manage time more effectively than that my friends. Hopefully gas prices will cause some others to realize this.

The gas prices are influencing me to go full time commute. Currently, I've been commuting on the weekend to get a feel for the roads and timing. I'm slowly upgrading parts to my old road bike to handle commuting; mainly bags and lights. During the upcoming spring break I plan to go full time commuting as this week will give me the time to practice and see how long it takes to get to work. I have a job where I CAN NOT be late.

I don't know anyone else that commutes to my work but I know many people have expressed interest. I guess the current gas prices aren't enough for them to justify commuting to work by bike yet; but they sure are high enough for me to make the switch.

I've started commute to work since August last year until mid November. It's get cold and rainy in North. part of VA. This year, I upgraded my bike from Hybrid K2 to Novara line road bikes. I'm looking forward to start mid march to do so. I have 8-10 miles drive on WOD trail. The trail is located 1.5-3 miles(depends of start point) from my house. So I'm driving to trail parking lot , then jump on bike. On my work couple people commute almost every day thru out the year. I don't like cold, freezing cold. I'm not really care about gas price, I have GMC CUV, so every week I spent about 30-35 bucks for fuel. My wife works at home.
I'm doing this for fitness only. Keep myself in shape, loose couple lbs.

Out of nearly 200 co-workers on my shift, the bike rack is always mine alone and has been for 2 yrs now. People who live less than a mile from work always drive and complain about gas prices. My ride is either a mellow 4-5 miles each way (most often) or a killer to ride/be killed by drivers super steep hill on a more direct route of 1.5 miles. One worker "threatens" to ride more and lives about 4-5 miles away, loves to TALK up bicycling. And this is what kills me- even though he has only rode to work 3 whole times (2.5 times, because of being picked up by girlfriend) in the last year, other people at work always thinks it's his bike locked up outside every single workday!! I guess I have to stand up and be counted more often!!

Oh crap, I need to move further away from work to keep up with the trends. ;)

Al

[QUOTE=bigboots;6285224]Out of nearly 200 co-workers on my shift, the bike rack is always mine alone and has been for 2 yrs now.QUOTE]

Be patient. Our rack has 2 bikes now and for a bit there we were up to three until the "Merger" (who's kidding who here, it was an "Acquisition" with a friendly pr campaign laced with half truths and soon followed by layoffs. Where would we be without marketing and pr?).

Oh crap, I need to move further away from work to keep up with the trends. ;)

Al

Or move work farther away from home. :)

How far is "distance commuting"?

At 27 miles r/t am I trendy, or just a poseur? :lol:

You are sane.
I on the other hand.....

I would love a shorter commute.

Alot of it seems to be about competition. Oh yeah? Well I ride further, faster and/or in worse weather! Like I care? Just don't expect me to pull most of 'em home. Most weigh double my weight.

@$104 per barrell, many are 'com'n to Jesus. The people who berated me the loudest are now commuting also --including spouse. Let's hope they don't bring their road-rage into the biking.



It seems like more people at work are riding their bikes, and I swear I'm seeing significantly more cyclists on the highways. Has anyone else noticed a similar phenomenon, or is this peculiar to my area?

I've started commute to work since August last year until mid November. It's get cold and rainy in North. part of VA. This year, I upgraded my bike from Hybrid K2 to Novara line road bikes. I'm looking forward to start mid march to do so. I have 8-10 miles drive on WOD trail. The trail is located 1.5-3 miles(depends of start point) from my house. So I'm driving to trail parking lot , then jump on bike. On my work couple people commute almost every day thru out the year. I don't like cold, freezing cold. I'm not really care about gas price, I have GMC CUV, so every week I spent about 30-35 bucks for fuel. My wife works at home.
I'm doing this for fitness only. Keep myself in shape, loose couple lbs.

Kind of a dumb question, but at only a couple miles why not just ride your bike to the trail, rather than "wasting" a car leaving it parked at the trailhead all day?

I agree with what Mr. Underbridge wrote. I also think some of what banerjek (the OP) is referring to may be due to his location. In general people on the west coast have healthier, more active lifestyles. They seem to be more open-minded too. Portland is supposedly one of the best U.S. cities for bicycle commuting, so maybe that also has something to do with it.

Gas prices don't affect most commuters here since they commute by subway and bus mostly. It took me years before the thought of biking to work occurred to me and only because I wanted to ride my bike more than just after work and on the weekends. Many NYCers don't even know what the price of a gallon of gas is nowadays since they don't have cars.

Kind of a dumb question, but at only a couple miles why not just ride your bike to the trail, rather than "wasting" a car leaving it parked at the trailhead all day?

baby steps?

Kind of a dumb question, but at only a couple miles why not just ride your bike to the trail, rather than "wasting" a car leaving it parked at the trailhead all day?

It's not a dump Q. I'm afraiding to be killed on road. Here in north. VA people are driving like maniacs and I have small part of the road - 3 lines one way. It's not a highway, but 55mph road, so in morning it's 80mph road. So it's easy get me to parking spot safely on car.
here is a link to W&OD:
http://www.wodfriends.org/

It seems like more people at work are riding their bikes, and I swear I'm seeing significantly more cyclists on the highways. Has anyone else noticed a similar phenomenon, or is this peculiar to my area?

The same phenomenon is occuring in Montreal and Statistics Canada just released the numbers to prove it. More and more people are leaving their cars at home and jump on their bikes to commute to work. In the last census, done in 2006, 1.6% of 1.7 million Montrealers that commute to work have declared using their bikes (27,400 persons, of which 18,560 are men and 8,840 are women). That was a significant increase over the previous census, done in 2001. Statistics Canada has gone as far as declaring Montreal the Greenest Canadian City in terms of transportation.

Sure... those numbers don't make cyclists a significant difference in the balance in terms of political weight, but we are not just noise anymore. The politicians are feeling the wave building up and we are seeing more actions aimed at encouraging the movement. For example, the City of Montreal has completely eliminated all parking spaces on the north side of Maisonneuve Boulevard in the downtown core and converted into a bike path that is maintained opened year-round.

What I have seen at the office and on the streets matches that. It is to the point now where it's sometimes hard to find a place in the bike stands if you come in late to work. Also, we have been seing a lot more people bike commuting year round, even though this year has seen record setting snow falls.

Cheers,

Also, I note that the LBS has started carrying commuting-specific urban bikes -- it's not for nothing that a bicycle maker will introduce such products -- there *is* a growing market.


I wish somebody would make a sturdy user friendly, upgradeable single speed bike. A motobecane messenger http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/messenger.htm comes to mind, but that would take bigger tires, fenders, and a little more relaxed geometry. In the $300-375 price range it would sell well.

I wish somebody would make a sturdy user friendly, upgradeable single speed bike. A motobecane messenger http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/messenger.htm comes to mind, but that would take bigger tires, fenders, and a little more relaxed geometry. In the $300-375 price range it would sell well.

Scout the thrift shops and your local CL posts for a suitable bike, and get those $150 track wheels from the ad right here on BF. Probably looking at under $300 to go that route.

I work in a Software Development shop, where most of the people are younger, in downtown Seattle, where there is little available parking and what there is costs more than most care to pay. On our floor, we have about 60 people. Of those, I know that there are at least 6 regular year-round bikers, and another handful of more casual "fair weather" riders. I think I'm the furtherest away in terms of actual ride miles at 14. There are some that live further away, but they take the ferry for most of their trip.

In eight years in my area the only places where others bike commuted were a place that paid so little few people could afford cars and another place where one man had lost his license.

My "cautious" optimisim is that bike commuters in my area will become less of a minority. I think that only one demography of our society will even consider on-street bike commuting, namely the 30-50yr old college-educated crowd, and of them only a few will think about it, and fewer will even try it. I'll take any increase I can get, though :).

I wish somebody would make a sturdy user friendly, upgradeable single speed bike. A motobecane messenger http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/messenger.htm comes to mind, but that would take bigger tires, fenders, and a little more relaxed geometry. In the $300-375 price range it would sell well.

The Redline 9.2.5 pops to mind, but it's not in the price range. No too far off, though, with good negotiation skills.

Scout the thrift shops and your local CL posts for a suitable bike, and get those $150 track wheels from the ad right here on BF. Probably looking at under $300 to go that route.

That's pretty much what I did, I've got a pretty decent SS, but I'd like to just buy new next time in the size that fits. The time and effort taken to find the bike, then set it up the way I want just isn't worth it. That is if I could get what I want new.

The Redline 9.2.5 pops to mind, but it's not in the price range. No too far off, though, with good negotiation skills.

That's funny, the redline 925 is set up identical to my current bike; bullhorns, tt brake levers, planet bike fenders, SS. Perfect, a little cheaper would be nice though.

It's still just me and one other guy who rides in a couple times a week. People say they're going to start (especially those who live less than 3 miles away) but I never seen any more bikes here. Maybe when the weather gets nicer. It was 25*F again this morning. *brrrrr*
Same here! It's me and the one other guy out of 2500!

I'm trying to get my company's support and get people involved with Ride to Work day, which is 5/16. It's like changing a tire in the snow & ice...

$5 may not do it...but $8-9/gal will! I just moved from Alabama (pretty dang cheap gas) to Oslo, Norway with my wife. I'm spending about $85 to fill the 9 gal tank weekly. It's been silly expensive in Europe for a while. In the late 90s I was seeing 5-6 bucks a gallon in Germany.

In the mid-80s when I lived in Italy it was about $2 a liter for gas. I walked to work every day for the 2 years I lived there.

Gas prices don't affect most commuters here since they commute by subway and bus mostly.

What's a subway? :rolleyes: I've seen busses - those greyhound thingys right..... we don't even have a taxi service here. drive, ride or walk. I'm back to riding once again and lovin it.