What's with Bike-To-Work Week?

[gerv]

I'm not sure why this is, but, once again, it's Bike-To-Work week around here and once again the roads are full of new cyclists.

This year I see more riders, more dedicated equipment (especially small black rear panniers like the Nashbar Day-Trekkers...). The bike rack at work was full this morning, so had to wrestle a clutch of bikes to get locked. I ride a portion of my commute on a bike trail and it was full of obviously new riders and their new bicycles; in fact, it was kind of scary since the trail is usually pretty empty.

Will they be around next week?

[Jerseysbest]

The more the merrier. Power in numbers.

The only problem, obviously, with new riders, is that they can be a danger on the road, ride unpredictably, and as a result, give other riders a bad rep. Maybe in time as more ride, rider education will accompany driver's ed in schools.

[cooker]

Yeah, on the one hand it's nice not to have to contend with noobs, but on the other hand, the more people who ride, the more power and influence we have to push for accomodations for cyclists.

[derath]

Will they be around next week?

With any luck yes.

Yeah, on the one hand it's nice not to have to contend with noobs

Yea cause we all started out as experts right?

Sheesh, in this forum bike to work week should be your favorite week of the year. A time to show off just how awesome you guys have it vs. a cagers life. A time to embrace all of the other riders and help to show them why they should keep going even after bike to work week.

Sadly I am not biking to work this week. I am on vacation.

-D

[cooker]

Yea cause we all started out as experts right?

Hey you only quoted half! I want the noobs on the road.

[curbtender]

"Sadly I am not biking to work this week. I am on vacation."

We all feel for you, HA. Whether or not they still ride, at least you get a little more respect for what you do all year round.

[derath]

Hey you only quoted half! I want the noobs on the road.

Yea I know. Sorry. I was just using your half to accentuate the point to the OP. Not as a slight to you. I should have been more clear.

-D

[bragi]

I'm not sure why this is, but, once again, it's Bike-To-Work week around here and once again the roads are full of new cyclists.

This year I see more riders, more dedicated equipment (especially small black rear panniers like the Nashbar Day-Trekkers...). The bike rack at work was full this morning, so had to wrestle a clutch of bikes to get locked. I ride a portion of my commute on a bike trail and it was full of obviously new riders and their new bicycles; in fact, it was kind of scary since the trail is usually pretty empty.

Will they be around next week?

My guess is that most of them will not be around next week. Which is too bad. In the meantime, it's probably a good idea to give the "noobs" all the encouragement in the world. Yes, extra cyclists make things less pristine on the bike path. But, really, riding to work every morning, would you rather deal with another bicyclist, or a guy in an SUV? To me, the choice is clear.

[Tude]

Hey you only quoted half! I want the noobs on the road.

YaY! Me too - but .. INFORMED Noobs! :D I just stepped down as SpokesMouth for my club at our many festival/race/outdoor expo functions - and I will dearly miss one of them where I literally spent two days talking nonstop to people - I mean at times when I was talking and answering questions - this drew more people in ...

My Goodness --- I was the Tammy Baker of bicycling!!!!!!!!! (sans make-up and other some such things too). But what I had were people standing there listening and asking great questions about bicycles, commuting, helmets, what to do in situations, etc, etc, etc.

I am a total bicycle advocate, road advocate and absolutely love more people out on the road - especially females - I really don't see many female commuters at all.

But to see more people out there - cool, now they need to become a BICYCLIST and adhere to the rules of the road - which - I have seen several really ugly faced (having a good ride sir?) bicyclists do. Pissed off, SOB's, don't look left or right, don't acknowledge other bicyclists - just get the work done kinda ride - probably uttering a good tourette's paragraph under their breath the whole way too.

WHOO! I'd sure be glad to NOT sit across from him at the dinner table once he took that way too small of a helmet off his giant head!!!!

I've hit lots of these new commuters lately!! No signals, no stopping, cut traffic off, don't left or right and any fugly thing to save their lives ...... and after riding for lots of years on the downtown streets - you get to know who is who.

Nooooooooobs. And pretty unsafe ones at that.

Guess I'm going to have to work at the main booth this year at the one festival because I have quite a few followers who have been coming there for the last few years and making sure to run into me - mainly to update me what they are riding, the longer rides they've been doing, etc. Pretty cool.

Now as to these noobs on the road - now how do we make them aware as to how to be more safe on the road --- and some of these guys having some pretty sour attitudes (HEY - I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE TUDE!!) have to be changed - or else they will most likely get hammered at some time in the future ... :(

I'm the vocal one on the street - "advising" people on bicycles as well as bicyclists as the more safer and correct way to do things - and in a nice way. :D Met with mixed stares, sometimes a "thanks" as they continue on blowing the light and causing a car to stop suddenly when the car had right of way --- ahhhh yes, another "person on a bicycle" reinforcing a motorist about the bad behaviors of those dam bicycling people anyway. :(

[erichkopp]

My work is a little over 20 miles away and South Florida roads can be very dangerous for cyclists, but I think I'm going to ride at least once this week. I can't stand watching my gas gauge go down like it is anymore. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think, and I can hopefully do it more often.

[bragi]

My work is a little over 20 miles away and South Florida roads can be very dangerous for cyclists, but I think I'm going to ride at least once this week. I can't stand watching my gas gauge go down like it is anymore. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think, and I can hopefully do it more often.

Good for you! Just a coupla suggestions, just in case:

1. Use side roads if you can.
2. Arterials with wide shoulders are perfectly fine.
3. On arterials with little or no shoulder, consider the sidewalk. Some people will advise against this, but if traffic is heavy and moving fast, there's no shoulder, no one's on the sidewalk anyway, there aren't many intersections, and, most importantly, drivers have no experience dealing with cyclists, you might as well just treat the sidewalk like a bike path. If you're on a route with lots of intersections and/or a lot of pedestrians, on the other hand, avoid sidewalks like the plague.
4. Obey all traffic laws at all times. Violating traffic laws isn't safe, and when motorists see you flaunting traffic laws, even if it doesn't affect them directly, they get a little irritated. Seriously. It confirms their suspicions that people on bikes are unpredictable idiots.

[Jerseysbest]

Sadly I am not biking to work this week. I am on vacation.

-D

Ironically, I only will have rode my bike to work on Tuesday. I had to drive monday, for the first time in months, and I'm taking off the rest of the week for my brother's wedding.

[Chris L]

I'm not sure why this is, but, once again, it's Bike-To-Work week around here and once again the roads are full of new cyclists.

This year I see more riders, more dedicated equipment (especially small black rear panniers like the Nashbar Day-Trekkers...). The bike rack at work was full this morning, so had to wrestle a clutch of bikes to get locked. I ride a portion of my commute on a bike trail and it was full of obviously new riders and their new bicycles; in fact, it was kind of scary since the trail is usually pretty empty.

Will they be around next week?

Have any of them been around "next week" after any other bike to work week? The answer to that provides the most likely guide as to what will happen this year.

Personally, I think the whole concept of bike to work day/week/whatever falls down in two respects:

1. Once a year isn't often enough to keep it at the forefront of anyone's mind, anyone involved in marketing will tell you this.

2. The concept in it's current format relies almost exclusively on freebies and handouts to try to motivate people to ride in the first place, then leaves them to their own devices.

A far more effective solution would be to do away with the freebies and the politicians speeches (which rarely provide any enlightenment anyway), and run something more often on a smaller scale. What about organising a ride to work group that meets once a month for a ride into the city centre? Sure, it mightn't attract 300 participants (or whatever showed up for the "official" function), but those who do show up will be the ones who have some desire to ride to work, and these are the people you can influence. More importantly, these people will have the benefit of riding with experienced riders who can guide them through the newbie phase.

As it currently stands, most of the people who show up to these ride to work functions end up trying it for a while, then suddenly realising that cycle commuting involves more than just balancing and turning the pedals. Invariably they end up having a "close call" with a car or a flat tyre, neither of which they have any idea how to deal with, then end up not only giving it up, but telling all and sundry about thier bad experiences. Is it any wonder so many people (including many "advocates") regard cycling to work as just too difficult?

[gerv]

Have any of them been around "next week" after any other bike to work week? The answer to that provides the most likely guide as to what will happen this year.

Personally, I think the whole concept of bike to work day/week/whatever falls down in two respects:

1. Once a year isn't often enough to keep it at the forefront of anyone's mind, anyone involved in marketing will tell you this.

2. The concept in it's current format relies almost exclusively on freebies and handouts to try to motivate people to ride in the first place, then leaves them to their own devices.


Of course, you're right. But, as for inducements to bike to work, I have noticed that the company where I currently work has a fairly significant number of commuters (at least compared to other places I have worked.) The big difference: this company provides a good bike rack and has a gym with showers.

Sometimes it can be just that simple. Many who try the bike-to-work routine realize that cleaning up for work isn't made easy for them in their current environment. So they backslide.

Of course, $4 a gallon gas will probably convince at least a few of the noobs to keep it up.

[Lamplight]

This is Bike To Work Week? You wouldn't know it here. I've been seeing so many threads about how people are seeing more cyclists out, and here it seems there are more cars on the road than ever. I guess Tennessee really is as backward as everyone thinks.

[chipcom]

Sheesh, in this forum bike to work week should be your favorite week of the year.

No this week is my week to feel superior by making fun of new cyclists, cuz that's just the kind of insecure snob I am. :bike2:

[hotwheels]

Be fruitful and multiply!

[BarracksSi]

I appreciate the effort, but I don't get to participate in the local festivities (pit stops, convoys, etc) because I'll have already been at work for a couple hours.

[bragi]

I appreciate the effort, but I don't get to participate in the local festivities (pit stops, convoys, etc) because I'll have already been at work for a couple hours.

No free coffee for you... Looks like you'll probably have to stop bicycling to work now. :p

[gwd]

A far more effective solution would be to do away with the freebies and the politicians speeches (which rarely provide any enlightenment anyway), and run something more often on a smaller scale. What about organising a ride to work group that meets once a month for a ride into the city centre? Sure, it mightn't attract 300 participants (or whatever showed up for the "official" function), but those who do show up will be the ones who have some desire to ride to work, and these are the people you can influence. More importantly, these people will have the benefit of riding with experienced riders who can guide them through the newbie phase.



One thing that encouraged me to move into the city and ditch the car was a mayor's representative speaking at a bike-to-work functions. He said something like "The mayor wants people who use bikes for transportation to move to the city. We'll be doing this that and the other thing blah blah blah blah...."

It turned out that the mayor kept his word with pedestrian / bike infrastructure projects. Basically I agree with Chris L that politician speeches are just hot air but have to acknowledge that at one bike to work event it wasn't. The bike group here in DC used to have this mentoring program for newbies. Last time I talked to one of the volunteers who helped coordinate it he told me no one ever signs up for it. That was maybe six years ago so it might be different today.

[Elkhound]

Will they be around next week?

Not all of them. But some of them.

It is scheduled in the middle of May because the weather is warm, but not too beastly hot. (Alas, all this week here it has rained.)

It is easy for those of us who have been doing this for a while to look down our noses at the newbies, but they have to start somewhere.

[Elkhound]

Good for you! Just a coupla suggestions, just in case:

1. Use side roads if you can.
2. Arterials with wide shoulders are perfectly fine.
3. On arterials with little or no shoulder, consider the sidewalk. Some people will advise against this, but if traffic is heavy and moving fast, there's no shoulder, no one's on the sidewalk anyway, there aren't many intersections, and, most importantly, drivers have no experience dealing with cyclists, you might as well just treat the sidewalk like a bike path. If you're on a route with lots of intersections and/or a lot of pedestrians, on the other hand, avoid sidewalks like the plague.
4. Obey all traffic laws at all times. Violating traffic laws isn't safe, and when motorists see you flaunting traffic laws, even if it doesn't affect them directly, they get a little irritated. Seriously. It confirms their suspicions that people on bikes are unpredictable idiots.

3 & 4 contradict each other. In many places it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk.

[Platy]

3 & 4 contradict each other. In many places it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk.
Conversely, in other places it is quite legal to ride on sidewalks. In a few places there are official signs which direct bikes to use sidewalks.

However, even where sidewalk riding is legal, it must be done with exceptional caution. Most new riders aren't aware of the serious dangers involved.

[sharkey00]

Short answer, no they won't be around in a few weeks. I have been a member of a gym (not the same gym but a gym) for years. Every year right around new years there are loads of new people by March all of the new people are gone.

I suspect the same to happen with new bikers. I figure about July or August, when things get nice and hot a lot more are going to disappear.

[Elkhound]

Short answer, no they won't be around in a few weeks. I have been a member of a gym (not the same gym but a gym) for years. Every year right around new years there are loads of new people by March all of the new people are gone.

I suspect the same to happen with new bikers. I figure about July or August, when things get nice and hot a lot more are going to disappear.

True. But a few will perservere. And next year a few more. etc.

[Mike H]

HOTWHEELS, love the thought and your signature. A little Jerry always makes for a good commute.

[Artkansas]

Will they be around next week?

Let us know when you find out.

[sykerocker]

My Goodness --- I was the Tammy Baker of bicycling!!!!!!!!! (

You were probably a lot prettier, too.

[joetotale]

Bike to Work Week, eh? Maybe that's why I saw two other cyclists on my commute to work today (instead of the normal zero).

[peace_piper]

All I know is that if I bike to work and meet at the city square at 8am, I'm provided with free breakfast. That's good enough for me!

Even if I don't have a job....

[misterE0]

wouldn't know it here on Long Island. The only mention I've heard (and I had to do a little digging to find anything) was in the local paper here, where they interviewed a guy who commutes 26mi each way on what he admits is a pretty scary route with no helmet. I'm not sure that's going to sway anybody to the cause, lol. I started commuting this week by bike (just by coincidence that it's bike-to-work week) and haven't seen one single other commuter on my 24mi round trip.

[bragi]

wouldn't know it here on Long Island. The only mention I've heard (and I had to do a little digging to find anything) was in the local paper here, where they interviewed a guy who commutes 26mi each way on what he admits is a pretty scary route with no helmet. I'm not sure that's going to sway anybody to the cause, lol. I started commuting this week by bike (just by coincidence that it's bike-to-work week) and haven't seen one single other commuter on my 24mi round trip.

Today, I decided to count every single cyclist I saw during my travels. I counted 27 over the course of a total of 10 miles ridden, and I'm sure I missed some, since I was also trying not to crash into anything. It seemed like kind of a light day, compared to other days recently. I'm not sure if Bike to Work Week has anything to do with it. There are a lot of bicyclists around pretty much all the time now. I'm not sure if it's fuel prices (I sort of doubt it), increased environmental awareness, or a sudden mass realization that bikes are easier than cars in some parts of town.

[Elkhound]

Today, I decided to count every single cyclist I saw during my travels. I counted 27 over the course of a total of 10 miles ridden, and I'm sure I missed some, since I was also trying not to crash into anything. It seemed like kind of a light day, compared to other days recently. I'm not sure if Bike to Work Week has anything to do with it. There are a lot of bicyclists around pretty much all the time now. I'm not sure if it's fuel prices (I sort of doubt it), increased environmental awareness, or a sudden mass realization that bikes are easier than cars in some parts of town.

Seattle, from what I have heard, is a big transportational cycling town. Over on Another Board, though, someone said that she was afraid to cycle there because of the traffic and the hills.

I notice that Seattle isn't on the League's list of Bicycle Friendly Cities, although I have heard that that list is problematic--quite a few cities are there that shouldn't be and some aren't there that should be (that's what I've heard, at any rate.)

[gwd]

OK at my office one person borrowed a bike and biked to work today. The thing is, she's car free. She normally walks to work. Replicate that experience all over DC and the bike to work phenomenon will begin to have an noticeable impact on the congested sidewalks and public transport.

[murphstahoe]

Today, I decided to count every single cyclist I saw during my travels. I counted 27 over the course of a total of 10 miles ridden, and I'm sure I missed some, since I was also trying not to crash into anything. It seemed like kind of a light day, compared to other days recently. I'm not sure if Bike to Work Week has anything to do with it. There are a lot of bicyclists around pretty much all the time now. I'm not sure if it's fuel prices (I sort of doubt it), increased environmental awareness, or a sudden mass realization that bikes are easier than cars in some parts of town.

Granted I rode 35 miles from SF to Palo Alto, then took the train from PA to Sunnyvale, then rode 3 miles to the office yesterday...

There were 41 other cyclists in my group alone. If I were to guess how many unique cyclists I saw between my front door and the office door, I would say 500+

The Bay Area rules.

Of course, on the way home, we were on a road that is heavily used recreationally (and is a great road for the commute). At the end of the road, there were at least 40 cars, 100% of which were used to transport driver and bike to their training ride :( But at least those folks are probably not going to run you down...

[Roody]

Here in Lansing (and a couple other Michigan cities), they've changed Bike to Work Week to "Smart Commute '08 (http://www.midmeac.org/smartcommute.html)" and it's co-ordinated by a local environmental group. Although bikes are still a mainstay, they also include walking to work, public transit and even ride sharing. I think this is a good idea, since bikes are not for everybody (they're just for the elite, like us ;)). I don't know how many people continue after the week is over, but I suppose that some do.*

I do think that there should be more education of new cyclists, and also some effort to inform younger motorists that bicyclists are legitimate road users.

*The organizers did an online survey and reported that "As a result of the event, 32% said the plan to bike, bus, walk or carpool MORE than they did before. 64.3% said it would be the same."

[curbtender]

Bike to work day out here in the San Francisco/East Bay got up into the 90's and a pretty strong head-wind picked up on the way home. I'm sure that didn't encourage a lot of people who aren't broken in yet.

[Roody]

Bike to work day out here in the San Francisco/East Bay got up into the 90's and a pretty strong head-wind picked up on the way home. I'm sure that didn't encourage a lot of people who aren't broken in yet.

If they can't cut it in different kinds of weather, they probably shouldn't try bike commuting. I'm a fat 53 year old, and I ride in all weather here in Michigan--basically 365 days a year. If I can do it here, almost anybody can bike commute wherever they are. I get a lot of joy from hearing Californians complaining about their weather. What a spoiled bunch of whiners we have on the West Coast! ;)