Commuting - Commuter Poll: second of a series

It seems that every day, there are people reporting their first commute, or that they are getting ready to commute for the first time. How long have you been commuting?

On, then off, then on again for the past 4 years... So happy to be back "on".

i started in june this year

I started 6yr ago. At first it was minimal-1-2d/wk, less in the winter. 4 yr ago, I became a regular. 2 winters ago on this forum, someone posted a monthly challenge in the winter months. The goal was to see if you could shoot for more days bike commuting and the prize was self satisfaction. Thanks to that challenge, I increased my riding to 3-4d/wk year round, with more frequent 4d/wk in the summer (I work 4d/wk).

Since the end of March, and I see no reason why I would quit anytime soon. Best decision I've made in a long time! :)

Since the end of March, and I see no reason why I would quit anytime soon. Best decision I've made in a long time! :)

Yeah, exactly. Same time frame, too.

I did it for about 6 months a year ago, but then quit when I changed jobs and had to go farther plus lost my shower/locker. I just re-started 6 or so weeks ago. I still wish I had a shower and a locker though.

I started a week or two after Hurricane Katrina, when there were reports that NC's governor was going to ration gasoline.

The thing is--and I feel terrible about this--I should have been doing this for 3 or 4 years prior to that. I work in the same building now as I did then and have essentially the same job. I don't know why I didn't start sooner; I even commuted a few times but just never really decided to do it full time.

Since 1999.

I answered more than 5 years. Before retiring from my buisness I two part commuted bike/car for 7 years. I retired, and did no work for 5 years, but last year took a volunteer job that I commute to.

I started last summer, so I'm right around the one year mark.

It seems that every day, there are people reporting their first commute, or that they are getting ready to commute for the first time. How long have you been commuting?

Your poll doesn't even come close;) 5 years? Yer still a newbie! You probably haven't even learned how to trip the lights yet;) You're still counting the time in weeks!

240 month's of at least one time each month for which I have records. I've commuted to work the whole time I've been on this job which is 96 months more but I don't have records for that. I've got shorts that are older than what most of you have been commuting:D

Since April

I started in late February. Of course, it's summer vacation now, so I won't commute again until the end of the month.

What's with the polls lately?

Evidently everyone over 40 is essentially the same age, and everyone who has been commuting more than 5 years, has been doing it for 5+ years.

I've been doing it for 12 years.

I just started, but realize I should have been doing this years ago (since I live and work in the same places as three years ago).

Today I got home in about 23 minutes (4.2 miles). It takes 15 to drive home (because I kind of have to go around a longer distance in the car).

So it makes no sense to drive (unless I can't ride for various reasons).

My goal right now is to commute three out of five days. If I do more, great. But three is a good goal right now.

How about since about 1976. On and off, with 7 years car free. I bought a car after my son was born. I dated my wife (before we were married) on a bike. I've changed jobs, and I've moved, and I still bike commuted. Some employers were good with it, others just tolerated it. No one said I couldn't.

That's more than 5 years, BTW.

Started in 1973. Not nearly every day, except for the eight years I was in Atlanta. More of a Three Season Commuter now. About half the time for those three seasons.
Double check my math, but that, too, is more than five years.

I just like to ride my bicycle(s). Have been commuting to work for just over a year. Sometimes it is too hot to commute by bike so I ride in the mornings then drive to work. Just like to ride my bike somewhere for some miles every day.

I've just decided not to be so obsessive about it and my pleasure in riding has risen proportionately...those 'chilly' 'rainy' winter days are the best...

I just like to ride my bicycle(s). Have been commuting to work for just over a year. Sometimes it is too hot to commute by bike so I ride in the mornings then drive to work. Just like to ride my bike somewhere for some miles every day.

I've just decided not to be so obsessive about it and my pleasure in riding has risen proportionately...those 'chilly' 'rainy' winter days are the best...

This is the attitude I want to have with this. Just making it a part of my day when I can.

Oh, and this fall will be my first. I walked through four years in college while some people around me cycled. Always wanted to, but never went and bought one. Now I'm going to grad, I decided not to let any more time slip away. Got a car, but also got a bike. Gonna use the two to get around.

11 years man and boy :(:)

Told my wife when gas hit $4 a gallon it was either a new bicyle or a new motorcycle...she said she could live with the bike, so I've been on it everyday except once when it lightening like crazy.

I rode to school from '73 to '76. To work since 1984. Every day since 1985.

I just returned to commuting but at one time I commuted for about 10 years straight.

I've started commuting seriously this year since the price of fuel is so high. Even though it's only 4 miles to bike in, it's nice to save some fuel and time. I can actually bike into work at the same amount of time as it would take me to drive with traffic.

Does anyone know if Google maps has bike paths added in? I thought it be kind of neat to show all the routes I've done over the summer.

Michael

D'oh! Had to answer "less than one year," but the first anniversary of my first commute is next week.

I'm not saving any gas, but I'm saving transit fares. Not to mention eating all the delicious food I want without gaining back any of the 20 lbs I dropped.

46 years so far.

Your poll doesn't even come close;) 5 years? Yer still a newbie! You probably haven't even learned how to trip the lights yet;) You're still counting the time in weeks!

240 month's of at least one time each month for which I have records. I've commuted to work the whole time I've been on this job which is 96 months more but I don't have records for that. I've got shorts that are older than what most of you have been commuting:D

and you still aint been commuting longer than me, Stu. :p :beer:

I started commuting to/from work when I was 13 in 1973...and have never stopped for more than a month or so at a time since (not counting the 3 months I was in boot camp and they wouldn't let me bring my bike). I started riding to/from school in 1965.

Then there's Ken, who makes us all look like noobs.

46 years so far.

yer old!!

I "commuted" to school by bike when I was a kid in the 70's, though back then it was simply called "riding my bike to school". I delivered newspapers via bike too, so was a working cyclist. Was a fair weather commuter during college (walking in bad weather), and also since entering the work force, so I guess I can say I've been bike commuting since ....1975- 33 years

and you still aint been commuting longer than me, Stu. :p :beer:

I started commuting to/from work when I was 13 in 1973...and have never stopped for more than a month or so at a time since (not counting the 3 months I was in boot camp and they wouldn't let me bring my bike). I started riding to/from school in 1965.

Then there's Ken, who makes us all look like noobs.

Well, I wasn't counting the kid years;) Paper route in the '60s, normal kid commuting (mostly getting in trouble:rolleyes:) and a few trips to high school until a long dry spell in the mid 70s...it's a wonder what a driver's license will do! Never did ride to school but then I grew up in a town that was only about 4 blocks square anyway and could throw a rock from my house to the school. Never even crossed my mind to ride a bike there:D

Off and on for maybe 15 years, not counting 3 miles one way every day of jr. high unless it was raining.

Well, I wasn't counting the kid years;) Paper route in the '60s, normal kid commuting (mostly getting in trouble:rolleyes:) and a few trips to high school until a long dry spell in the mid 70s...it's a wonder what a driver's license will do! Never did ride to school but then I grew up in a town that was only about 4 blocks square anyway and could throw a rock from my house to the school. Never even crossed my mind to ride a bike there:D

I forgot all about the paper route...crap, I can go back to before 73! Now I am really feeling old...but not as old as Ken! :lol:

yer old!!

Yeah but probably in fine shape for all those years. ;)

I forgot all about the paper route...crap, I can go back to before 73! Now I am really feeling old...but not as old as Ken! :lol:

Com'on are we counting elementary school now too?

46 years so far.

now if you started work right after high school, you must be very close to mandatory retirement

On and off since 1979. I've moved around quite a bit and had a variety of commutes. When the route was safe and weather permitted, I have been bike commuting. For the last 6 years, I have had a nice 7.5 mile commute with 2 miles on neighborhood streets and 5.5 miles on bike trails. One of the best things about my job is the commute.:rolleyes:

On, then off, then on again for the past 4 years... So happy to be back "on".

+1 and acknowledging my complete noob status. *takes a seat near the back of the class*

Grew up in sunny Southern California and walked, jogged, skateboarded and cycled to school almost every day from 1st through 11th grade until some crazy people handed me a license and car keys.

46 years so far.

:beer:

Man, there just aren't enough words. Ken needs his own directory here on BF.

I'm around 5 years. Would be more than that, but I lived on campus at university for 3 years and didn't bike commute because it was easier to walk to all my classes. But I date my serious bike riding to the purchase of my Dahon folder in 2005. Before that, I was either riding short distances on nice bikes or had crummy bikes and didn't enjoy the ride.

It seems that every day, there are people reporting their first commute, or that they are getting ready to commute for the first time. How long have you been commuting?

I answered "less than one year," but in fact, my first commuting experience was about 25 years ago.

But since I just re-started after an 8-year hiatus (due to a job change and fear of the new route, mostly), I'm sort of like a newb all over again.

I answered "less than one year," but in fact, my first commuting experience was about 25 years ago.

But since I just re-started after an 8-year hiatus (due to a job change and fear of the new route, mostly), I'm sort of like a newb all over again.

Dood, you don't have to be a noob all over again, it's like...wait for it...



Riding a bike!! :D

5 years. Since the town of Colchester and City of Burlington built a MUP-bridge over the river that separates them. That gave me a 6.5 mile nearly-straight shot to work, mostly on a MUP. How could a boy resist? It cost 5 million bucks, but when I heard they were going to do it, I squealed like a little girl. :p I knew what it meant for me.

i started commuting to junior college, 1980 -'82, 4 miles each way = (AA deg art/sceince 1982)
road atala bicycle every class day (except 5, due to ice/snow).

toured x-USA 1982 e/w with the same bike, self contained, NSCA 1985. bike was stolen 1995.......

the school (gcc) doesn't even have bike racks there anymore...