Bike_UK

I have been commuting by cycle to this job for nearly seven years now and i am ashamed to say that i have not managed to convert any of my colleagues to do the same. In fact, there are now LESS cycle commuters than when i started as a couple of guys have left and their replacements drive in!

I saw my best chance last year when one guy moved a mere mile from work by bicycle (2 by car, because of a one-way system for cars), yet still he insists on driving his car every day. I even beat him past his house every night!!!

Therefore i am ashamed to report complete failure from me. Have you had any luck?

Steev

I think I've laid it on too strong. The eyes glaze over if I talk bikes! None here either.

oboeguy

I've never converted anyone other than the wife. She bike commutes at least once per week to her workplace in decent weather. I've never thought I got even close to conversion with anyone at work. I had a manager once who kept a bike at work for rides during lunch or after work but I can't take credit for that.

Doggus

I don't bother. The Brits don't think we're a bunch of fat lazy slobs for nothing.

TexasGuy

Don't convert.; Anybody that tries convert people to cycle to work is like a Christian converting somebody, a Muslim trying to convert somebody or a Mormon trying to convert somebody. All of them are completely unwanted and end up being considered as being *******/righteous and bible thumpers.

Follow the divine path. Let your experience be a guide for those who wish to see the light.

Bike_UK

Point taken, TexasGuy.
I will rephrase to "How many people have you inspired to try cycle commuting?"

jyossarian

I tried converting one who used to ride frequently, but so far, no success. He has a long ride so I tried to get him to break it up by riding to the subway and taking the train in, but he's not going for it. Oh well.

DataJunkie

A big fat ZERO!
Plenty of my coworkers live within a nice distance of work. Yet, I live the farthest and commute by bike.
I had one coworker ask me when I was going to stop cycling. "When I'm dead" was my response.
They just don't get it.
Ah well. I like being different.

vrkelley

I don't get it. At the gas pump the price of gas $3.15 is that enough to convert anyone? Yet people keep shelling out the $$$$ to those rich rich arab terrorist psycos....Don't get me wrong, I drive when necessary but bike as much as possible.

DataJunkie

Common. They are just doing their part at keeping us number 1.
Number 1 in obesity.

marqueemoon

Zero here too. I'm not the evangelical type.

thdave

I can joyfully take credit for converting 2 colleagues to cyclists. One with a 4 mile ride and the other with a 7 mile ride (but his is thru a park). They don't ride as often as me, but they ride fairly regularly in the good weather months. Today one of them got a flat and he's not a happy cyclist. Might just be one tomorrow ;o(.

I didn't really push this on anyone, however. The one guy sits across the hall and he just asked me questions now and then and he sensed my enthusiasm and good health--he started last year. He's on a road bike.

The other guy is a nut. He comes in dripping in sweat, riding his $40 Roadmaster mountain bike with a heavy backpack. I don't get those backpacks. I talked him into fenders (he won't listen to me about a rack) and he's not quite the mess as he was. He just loves physical fitness and I give him a lot of credit for that.

The neat thing about these guys is both are conservative Republicans. I don't sense they are concerned with the ecology side of things as I am--they just want to get physically fit. I love it.

bikebuddha 

Zero and I've tried. Most of the people who work here live within ten miles of the office but would still rather drive their cars.

banerjek

You may never meet the people you impact. At work, my behavior has affected one guy. He bought a bike and uses it to commute a mile and a half.

However, I once encountered some guy on the road who said "You are my inspiration! When I saw you out every day no matter what, I knew I had to do it!". This dude commutes more than 15 miles each way, but I rarely see him because we work at different times. He started serious commuting in the winter of 2004, and I met him in spring 2005. I told him that once you've been out an entire winter, it gets pretty easy.

I think trying to actually convince people may even turn them off. Reminds me of one of the mottos I've always lived by -- "Beware of crusaders...."

sukram

Zero. I offered to lend my spare bike to a co-worker to see if he'd like the ride in. He lives a few blocks from me and started working out at the gym, I thought the bike ride would be a nice complement to the gym. No go, but my offer stands. I don't go preaching it though, but some people have asked me about it and I answer their questions.

However, this year is the 1st Annual Bike to Work day where I work. I wonder if there will be any new commuters after that. I'm not the only commuter anyway, but I work at a rather large academic institution. So long as I can still get a spot on the bike racks... Naturally, I have jury duty starting the week they have the bike to work day, and I was looking forward to seeing what kind of turnout there would be.

vrkelley

I've inspired about 4 people. But, like religion, I help them only when they initiate or ask questions.
Only one of the four is a steady rider...probably because he is also are runner and in fantastic shape.

Itsjustb

I share the frustration of all those who said they've tried and failed. I'm not the crusading type--I figure my enthusiasm shows and that's either going to work or it won't.

However...A guy from my former department is a serious cyclist--he takes a week-long vacation every year just to do a long touring ride somewhere in the US. One day I learned that he lives in my neighborhood but doesn't commute. So now when I see him leaving the building I joke with him, and I usually get the, "yeah, yeah, I know".

And, not to hijack the thread, he often passes me on the way home. Every time I mention to him that I saw him on the road, he says, "Really? I didn't notice you." And he's not kidding. Uh, aren't most cyclists much more aware of other cyclists when they're driving?

CigTech

I've been commuting from mid January todate. I have converted 7 people so far. They have seen me drop 25 lbs and get a tan. Most of them live with in 5 miles from work. 6 of them work where I do and the other one is a friend of a co-worker. I have also been getting older bikes and fix them and then give them to people that need a bike.

ctoddrun

Prefer the term "inspired" over "converted." I have inspired 2 to begin riding to work. Credit goes to them, though - I ride 15 miles each way, and started for a number of reasons. One of those guys hasn't done much riding, and has decided to do a 14 mile commute (one way) on a MTB with knobbies - Target Schwinn. The other is a former cycling fanatic who started a 25 mile one-way commute a couple weeks ago on a sweet old Serotta road bike that he's had for years (decades?)

huhenio

Zero ... everyone I know are either too busy or too self important to do such thing.

Wulfheir

0.

Banzai

Zero. Zilch. Nada.

I don't try to convert...but people have lots of questions, and I try to give cheerful explanations.

I find that most of the questions are about their own doubts, and wondering how you overcome said difficulty. When you give a good explanation, they usually will grind their logic (or illogic) gears either attempting to refute what you just told them (at least as it could potentially relate to them personally), or quickly coming up with somthing like; "oh...well...still, I could never do that because...(fill in new excuse that is not phrased in the form of a question.)"

One guy I've persuaded to ride in with me 2 times in a year. It was strange to me what a monumental undertaking and rolicking morning adventure this was for him.

This morning would have been his 3rd...but stuff came up that he had to call in to work. He did, however, ride his bike to our agreed upon meeting spot to tell me he couldn't make it!

caloso

Two that I can take credit for. And both since I stopped preaching about it. They both came to me, asked for some advice, and started doing it. And they pretty much kept it up through this very wet winter.

We seem to do better by adopting a policy of attraction, not promotion.

Sawtooth

At least one on a regular (but not daily basis). I got to help him fix his bike up and he rides 11 miles each way a few times/week in good weather. He is actually quite fast.

Just being quietly committed to something can bring a lot of interest from others. This holds true to religion, commuting, personal values; just about anything.

HiYoSilver

zippo, but because environment is not right. Most here use non-commuting by working at home. Less than 20% come into the office. The others I know don't have the right environment of being likely to be a commuter.

Basic needs for commuter candidate:
1. no physical handicaps
2. distance from work: 1 - 10 miles
3. interest in better health. Does some exercise already.
4. interest in saving money
5. has available a route with road speeds < 40 mph
6. doesn't have to shop/carpool family/leave primary work site during day
7. interest is saving time

Strongest interests that create symphony among non-commuters:
1. save time
2. save money
3. improve health

Arguments that turn off non-cummuters:
1. environment savings
2. punish bad oil companies
3. demonizing SUV, truck drivers

Biggest obstacles to overcome:
1. exercise is only for jocks
2. riding a bike hurts me physically
3. riding a bike in traffic is too dangerous

Good luck.