Commuting - So when do normal people start bike commuting?

Arrived to work today and surprised to see a completely empty rack. I can kind of understand today.. rain expected, but it was the same yesterday! Yesterday was gorgeous.. right around 70F, beautiful weather to bike in morning and evening, yet the rack was bare except mine.

Not that I'm complaining about it, but when do the rest of the bike commuters start up again? Seems like spring is really the ideal time.. the summer sucks here!

http://data.tumblr.com/B9ZR95UkQ7ogmro9fh11Z2Ea_400.jpg

Looks like someone got robbed. :eek:

Not that I'm complaining about it, but when do the rest of the bike commuters start up again? oh, up in Boston, it's totally on. My work has a garage with four bike racks and for the last three days, the racks are full by 9:10 am. I've been riding in regularly through the late winter along with a couple of other folks, and we can't help but shake our heads as all of the new riders park in 'our' spots.

Yesterday morning, while riding on Broadway in Cambridge, the main commuter artery for cyclists travelling between Harvard Square, Kendall Square and downtown Boston, you could see three or four cyclists on almost every block. It's glorious.

... and a little annoying having to deal with 'traffic' for once.

when gas hits $4.00 a gallon? ;)

Ahahah...I love that frame that's chained to the rack. It's like the urban version of a bleached out cattle skull found in the desert.

Anyways, judging by the weather, they should be starting back up soon. I already had to share my usual lock up spot twice this week w/ a black Bianchi fg.

I see normal people commuting by bicycle every single day

Normal people start on Jan. 2 (unless they have to work on Jan. 1).
Around here it's probably going to be another couple of weeks as temperatures are still near freezing during the morning commute.
The bike racks where I work will start to fill up in May.

Arrived to work today and surprised to see a completely empty rack.

http://data.tumblr.com/B9ZR95UkQ7ogmro9fh11Z2Ea_400.jpg

Maybe the stripped bike there scared everyone else away. ;)

Some fair weather commuters in the office have started talking about getting their bikes out again and one has been riding some. April means only sporadically nice weather Minnesota. Many will wait until May when it's consistently warm (warmer anyway).

In general there's a fair number of commuters year round and there's been an uptick as the ice and snow has disappeared from the roads. I'm the only winter commuter in my office however.

when gas hits $4.00 a gallon? ;)

Its $3.89 here and I still don't see too many bike commuters in the morning. Maybe its my 6 am start time because in the afternoon there are more cyclists out there. But most of them are roadies on training rides.

Yesterday morning, while riding on Broadway in Cambridge, the main commuter artery for cyclists travelling between Harvard Square, Kendall Square and downtown Boston, you could see three or four cyclists on almost every block. It's glorious.

Yah, I commute into downtown from the other direction (Brighton) -- I see about the same density, maybe more. Not sure when everybody started up, I was traveling since mid March so I just got back into it, but they're out in force.

Its $3.89 here and I still don't see too many bike commuters in the morning. Maybe its my 6 am start time because in the afternoon there are more cyclists out there. But most of them are roadies on training rides.

$0.11 to go. its not quite that high here, but every nice day the last month or so I've noticed more and more folks riding to work, or at least that look like they are.

When the early morning temps hit 60? That's my wife's philosophy anyway. I've been trying to get her to commute with me, but she can't stand the cold mornings. She's going to have to get used to it since even in the Summer early morning temperatures here in the Puget Sound area can get a little nippy.

I see quite a few bicycle commuters here in Bellingham on even the nastiest days when the rain is pouring, winds are gusting 50MPH, and the temperatures are close to freezing. Those are the days when I often just catch a ride with my wife! Of course sometimes you just get caught in it, and that happens to me sometimes... but on the whole I find Winter here to be way more bicycle friendly than in most places. I'd rather deal with rain and temps in the mid 30s to 40s than deal with temps below freezing, ice, snow, salt on the roads, etc.

Now that Spring is in full swing (supposed to hit 67 this Saturday woohoo!), the bicycles are really coming out in force.

Sean

Once the roads stopped being solid ice sheets the racks started being full again. So about Mar 10 or so?

yesterday, apparently, around here.

well, it was $3.00 a gallon for me, so I've been a "normal person" bike commuting for a little over a year now.

When the early morning temps hit 60? That's my wife's philosophy anyway. I've been trying to get her to commute with me, but she can't stand the cold mornings. She's going to have to get used to it since even in the Summer early morning temperatures here in the Puget Sound area can get a little nippy.

I see quite a few bicycle commuters here in Bellingham on even the nastiest days when the rain is pouring, winds are gusting 50MPH, and the temperatures are close to freezing. Those are the days when I often just catch a ride with my wife! Of course sometimes you just get caught in it, and that happens to me sometimes... but on the whole I find Winter here to be way more bicycle friendly than in most places. I'd rather deal with rain and temps in the mid 30s to 40s than deal with temps below freezing, ice, snow, salt on the roads, etc.

Now that Spring is in full swing (supposed to hit 67 this Saturday woohoo!), the bicycles are really coming out in force.

Sean

Yesterday I was riding home in rain, sleet, wind, and temps in the 30's. I was thinking that the 15 below temps from a couple of months ago were more pleasant. I was dressed for the rain so it wasn't too bad. It's just that psychologically cold rain and wind are tougher for me to deal with than temps below zero.

Well, in my case, right around now! In the Yukon it's too chilly for me till spring really hits. I, like, Sean's wife, HATE riding in the cold and getting frozen ears. My first ride was two days ago and in the late afternoon it was around +2C out. That was cold enough for me as I wore a toque and still had cold ears!!

And it looks like most around here head out about the same time. Pretty much, when the highways (where we mostly ride) are clear of snow and sand, it's good to go!

Can't wait till we get the +20C days... ahhh... :)

This past two weeks has brought out a lot more people, though the past two days have been a bit dreary with rain and moreso wind today. When I do a full commute, I go right across the city on a major artery (Bloor/Danforth) and see a lot of other folks on bikes - sure it's a bit annoying to deal with unpredictable traffic, but it's good that they're out there.

In my area that will be when they make cars illegal. Bike commuting is a weird fringe activity here. I know of two others in my area who commute but do not work at my company, they won't be out until May. Last year during bike to work week we had one woman ride in one day, she had her husband come pick her and her bike up from work. I always love hitting the local MUP, parking lot full of people complaining because there is no place to park the SUV they used to bring their bike to the MUP, despite the fact that the routes to it are some of the best cycling roads in the area.

So when do normal people start bike commuting?

When you pry the steering wheel out of their cold dead hands? ;)

I know one person in a company of about 150 people who bike to work all year round, however, he lives less than 2km away. I'll ride as soon as ice and snow are off the ground. Temperature and rain don't concern me much. There are people who live 3 blocks away and still *DRIVE* to work. Right now, there are probably 3 regular cyclists from what I see at the bike racks, and occasionally 4 or 5. When the weather is super nice, that bike rack is full which is pretty neat, but at the same time sucky because I need to get there earlier to get prime space. ;)

Where I live, most normal cyclists bring their bicycles out of winter storage in April or May when the snow is gone and temperatures a fairly warm.

For me it is after my marathon in a few weeks. I tried commuting after my runs in the morning, but my body just couldn't take it. :(

Sadly for my company, the commuters via bicycle total 1. We have another guy who walks and takes the bus (by choice) and that's it, the rest drive. Unfortunately for me, there is no bike rack at my work, but I guess that's to be expected from a transportation company. :( Fortunately they let me put it on the dock and I have a view of it for my entire shift, so I don't have to worry too much about it.

I don't think it's possible for gas to get high enough for people to bike commute around here. This is SE Michigan, land of the car. To be on a bike is a huge mark of shame. Also where I live it's very rural and people have this weird fear of riding bikes on 55 MPH 2 lane roads. This is 100% unjustified in my experience; city streets are far more dangerous than high speed secondary roads.

Seriously, I don't think $10/gal gas would put people on bikes here; people will take up arms against the government, buy hybrid cars, maybe get a motorcycle, far before they'll be seen on a bike. Riding a bike to work is complete crazy talk; it's like suggesting that they lie on the ground and pull themselves to work by their tongues.

There are 900 people where I work, some live as little as 1/2 mile away, and I'm the only cyclist. OK, there are about 4 other people who will ride to work perhaps 3 or 4 days a year, on a lark.

My 2 bike commuting co-workers started last week, I got back on the bike this week. I usually ride all winter, but only got in a week in January this year. There are 30 of us working here, 10% bike commute spring, summer, fall, only me in the winter.
I was the only one today in the stinkin +3 C rain this morning though!!! :D

I don't think it's possible for gas to get high enough for people to bike commute around here. This is SE Michigan, land of the car. To be on a bike is a huge mark of shame.

I'm in SE Michigan; I was spotted by some co-workers as I cycled to a midday meeting. They caught me at a light and asked if my car was broken (it's not).

rack? who needs a rack?

I did a quick lap around the immediate cubicle area and counted 6 bikes. Usually there are 5-6 scattered around the various racks on campus. The Seven comes inside, most co-workers started following my lead.

I'm in SE Michigan; I was spotted by some co-workers as I cycled to a midday meeting. They caught me at a light and asked if my car was broken (it's not).

They were being kind, they were probably thinking that you had lost your license to DUI, or your wife got it in a divorce or something. What else would explain it, it's not like someone with a choice would be on a bike, right? These people would live off mac & cheese and Ramen to have enough money to buy gas before they'd ride a bike.

"Normal" involves bicycle commuting? Besides myself, I only know one other person who does it, and that's my brother. In my town of nearly 100,000, and in nearly 2 years of commuting, I've only seen two or three other commuters.

On Bike to Work Day of course. Then one year later.

Normal people will start bike commuting when (if) the culture changes to value work less, wealth less, power less, social status less, personal space less, toys less, health more, being outdoors more, more community orientated mindset, slower lifestyles.... Give it another 50-100 years and check back.

when it becomes hip and safe.

If it's cool to do, people will start doing it, at least in fair weather in flat terrain areas.

Too bad Lance didn't decide to start promoting transportation cycling until he was virtually forgotten.

Riding a bike to work is complete crazy talk; it's like suggesting that they lie on the ground and pull themselves to work by their tongues.

Haha, good one ItsJustMe.

At my company of about 400, I'm the only bicycle commuter. Even in the best weather, I almost never see any cyclists on my commute. Just like Winnie the Pooh's bouncy friend says in his song, the most wonderful thing about Tigers is... I'm the only one!

Around here cycling to work is definitely not considered normal. Driving a SUV with only yourself as the passenger is perfectly normal though. I also don't think the price of gas will change this much. I don't consider myself normal, (yawn) that would be too boring.

At school since the beginning of the week i've been seeing more and more bikes... and out of the 1100 students.... I'm the only one who biked through all the rain and snow this year... never got of my bike just kept on biking....

50% of the employees where I work commute by bicycle. And there is indoor bicycle parking.


Of course the other employee drives an SUV.

I laugh at winter and cycle commute year round!:D

Arrived to work today and surprised to see a completely empty rack. I can kind of understand today.. rain expected, but it was the same yesterday! Yesterday was gorgeous.. right around 70F, beautiful weather to bike in morning and evening, yet the rack was bare except mine.

Not that I'm complaining about it, but when do the rest of the bike commuters start up again? Seems like spring is really the ideal time.. the summer sucks here!

http://data.tumblr.com/B9ZR95UkQ7ogmro9fh11Z2Ea_400.jpg

Normal people don't bike commute.

I have a co-worker who claims that she expects to start riding to work. She lives only three miles away from the job. Her husband is supposed to be a cyclist but he does not appear to be supportive of her riding. I think they will start riding when the weather is consistenly 70 degrees with no sight of rain. Meanwhile, gas is 3.45 cent per gallon.

Gas, .69 cents the price of a can of beans

I volunteer at a school, and commute year round, rain, snow, shine. The regular kids started riding their bikes to school last week. My kids ride 3-5 days a week even in the cold, just not in the snow, or rain.

I don't think it's possible for gas to get high enough for people to bike commute around here. This is SE Michigan, land of the car. To be on a bike is a huge mark of shame. Also where I live it's very rural and people have this weird fear of riding bikes on 55 MPH 2 lane roads. This is 100% unjustified in my experience; city streets are far more dangerous than high speed secondary roads.


I used to make excuses about why I ride a bike to work. Now, I just tell them that my workout is half over and by the time I get home, my workout is over. By the time my fellow coworkers get out of work, go to the gym, then go home, I have already been home AND had dinner!

I start commuting with daylight savings time. The ride home in the dark is not my idea of safe or fun.

Once it lighten's up, though it's hard to stay off the bikes. After my commute, I switch clothes and bikes and do laps in the park. That's 15-35 miles a day, and then woot! the weekend when I might do my 5 days of weekday mileage in 2. But, sadly, gladly, I'm not normal... :)

I think once things get above 50f in the morning more and more ppl start bike commuting, at least around here. I've been year round for the last seven years. There were two other bikes (normally none) in my garage today!

Its on in Denver, last couple of days temps are up in the 70's. Saw the first spandex clad commuters of the springtime yesterday, today I saw the newbies wobbling back and forth from the middle of the street to the gaps between parked cars. Sitting on my porch yesterday evening I saw 3 or 4 times the normal volume of commuters. (I live near a designated bike route in east Denver, so its easy to count). Bike rack at work has at least double the number of bikes from just a few weeks ago.

Is it wrong to feel a little superior since I commuted all winter? Probably.

My recreational bicycling friends reported that the Cherry Creek trail was stupidly packed over the weekend. I had talked about going on a rec ride with a co-worker tonight, but I think I'll beg her to wait until next week, let some of the spring madness pass by.

I'm seeing more and more bike commuters than I ever have this spring (which, in Houston, is pretty amazing). We really don't have winter though - it's actually nicer to ride Nov-March because it's not humid! However, most people here act like 50 degree weather will cause hypothermia and cease outdoor activity. Now that the days are warmer they're getting out on the bikes more. It's nice to have some company out there.

Its on in Denver, last couple of days temps are up in the 70's. Saw the first spandex clad commuters of the springtime yesterday, today I saw the newbies wobbling back and forth from the middle of the street to the gaps between parked cars. Sitting on my porch yesterday evening I saw 3 or 4 times the normal volume of commuters. (I live near a designated bike route in east Denver, so its easy to count). Bike rack at work has at least double the number of bikes from just a few weeks ago.

Is it wrong to feel a little superior since I commuted all winter? Probably.

My recreational bicycling friends reported that the Cherry Creek trail was stupidly packed over the weekend. I had talked about going on a rec ride with a co-worker tonight, but I think I'll beg her to wait until next week, let some of the spring madness pass by.


um.... I commuted all winter dressed in spandex. You forgot me! :p

Anyhow, the one thing I am not looking forward to when I return is the increase in traffic (cycling, cars, peds, etc).

The stripped bike is not encouraging. But, as to gasoline, i'd say when lines at the gas station exceed the time it takes to commute by car. Then people will think alternative transportation.

I start commuting with daylight savings time. The ride home in the dark is not my idea of safe or fun.

Riding in the dark is a LOT of fun, very peaceful. With proper lighting, it's significantly safer than during the day. Traffic is generally lighter, and I can guarantee that though it's pretty easy to see me during the day, it's much harder to miss me at night. The only people who would fail to see me at night wouldn't see me in the daytime either.

It's not just me. Pretty much everyone here who has an opinion on the matter agrees that riding at night with good lighting is safer than riding during the day.

I'm still riding in the dark in the morning; I adjust my schedule to ride earlier as the sun comes up earlier; what's REALLY dangerous is riding into the sun.

Normal people drive cars.