Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What motivates you to commute by bicycle?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What motivates you to commute by bicycle?

Old 12-26-04, 03:32 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Dchiefransom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Newark, CA. San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 6,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
What motovates me to ride to work?

A classified number of pounds of ugly fat, for one.
One of the reasons I'll be doing it more this year, along with keeping up with others my age in the bike club on rides.
Dchiefransom is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 04:05 PM
  #27  
Dominatrikes
 
sbhikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Still in Santa Barbara
Posts: 4,920

Bikes: Catrike Pocket, Lightning Thunderbold recumbent, Trek 3000 MTB.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I commute because that's about 2 hours out of the day I'm not thinking up ways to kill myself over my stressful job.

Now that I have a recumbent, I'm not just blowing off the stress anymore. I look forward to my two 8.5 mile rides a day. I'm riding more days a week now, too. I used to do two, now I want to ride every day.

Reasons: Fun, time to myself, out in nature, not in stop-n-go traffic, people think I'm an inspriation, I feel healthier and stronger, my clothes fit better, I'm not spending my limited time on earth throwing time down a gas tank, instead I'm doing what I enjoy. Plus with forums like this I feel like I'm part of a special club.
sbhikes is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 04:47 PM
  #28  
The Cycle of Life
 
Turbonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ottawa, Kanukistan
Posts: 414

Bikes: Trek 520, Eclipse Carbon, Eclipse Al, Unknown Fixie.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Welcome to the boards JohnBrooking! Well, I commute by bike because I don't like waiting for the city bus at 6:55am, I hate falling asleep on the bus and at a 8:00am class. I love the natural high that I get each time. Ive been asked are you high by friends before . I like the independence from oil and mad bus schedules. And the time that I save overall.
Turbonium is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 05:02 PM
  #29  
MY BICYCLE IS MY CAR!
 
SecretSatellite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
hi, i'm a newbie as well. I commute by bike for the financial benefits of not owning a car and the fitness that results from going everywhere by bike. I feel better about not contributing to the death and destruction of car culture and that no war for oil supports my auto addiction.
SecretSatellite is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 05:08 PM
  #30  
Senior Member
 
late's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,937
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12171 Post(s)
Liked 1,481 Times in 1,094 Posts
I feel better. I do my job better. At the end of the day, I'm tired, and I can sleep. I'm hoping to commute a LOT next year.
late is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 07:42 PM
  #31  
Commuter
 
JohnBrooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 2,568

Bikes: 2006 Giant Cypress EX (7-speed internal hub)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
This is kind of funny. I really didn't notice how old the thread was when I "resurrected" it, I think it was just on page 2 or 3 in my sort order. Somehow I thought it was only a month or so old. So if you think I was wise to resurrect it rather than start a new one, no, I just stumbled on it and didn't notice the date!

Two more reasons I just thought of:

1) When I don't bring my lunch, I can zip around the corner to the pizza and sandwich place without driving, which would be stupid, but also much faster than walking.

2) I've always been tall and skinny, and while I'm still not muscular, my wife kids me that now I'm "buff"! Ching!

P.S. "late": Where in Southern Maine are you? I'm in Westbrook. Reply by PM if you want.
JohnBrooking is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 08:42 PM
  #32  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,416
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
For me, I commute because:

1. My commute is only about 1.5mi each way, so pointless to drive.
2. I have never learned how to drive, don't own a car, and will probably never drive in my life.
3. I ive in the city. Cars suck in the city, especially boston. Enough said.
4. Bikes are quicker than cars or buses.
5. I hate other people's schedules. (i.e the bus/train) My bike is always there.
6. I hate spending money. (well except on bike parts hehe )
7. Bikes are simple, especially my fleet of singlespeed / fixed gear bikes. I like minimalism and simplicity.

I think thats it.
BostonFixed is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 08:44 PM
  #33  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 915
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I hate the NY Transit system. I usually take the subway to work. Given with train delay and overcrowding and the repulsive condition of many subway stations, I felt that my life was controlled by the MTA. There was always talks about fare increase. I normally spend $4 a day and about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the train. By commuting on my bike, I don't have to deal with the MTA any more. Sometimes I do take the train, maybe twice a week, because of really bad weather or I need to recover from my training. I just don't want to overly relying on the MTA. Second reason is finanical. I can buy and eat more food per day with that additional $4 saved if I commute on my bike. Finally, I need the miles to be competitive as a cat 4 racer. With commuting and regular training, I can get 200 miles per week though.
R600DuraAce is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 09:36 PM
  #34  
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
 
slvoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762

Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by R600DuraAce
I hate the NY Transit system. I usually take the subway to work. Given with train delay and overcrowding and the repulsive condition of many subway stations, I felt that my life was controlled by the MTA. There was always talks about fare increase. I normally spend $4 a day and about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the train. By commuting on my bike, I don't have to deal with the MTA any more. Sometimes I do take the train, maybe twice a week, because of really bad weather or I need to recover from my training. I just don't want to overly relying on the MTA. Second reason is finanical. I can buy and eat more food per day with that additional $4 saved if I commute on my bike. Finally, I need the miles to be competitive as a cat 4 racer. With commuting and regular training, I can get 200 miles per week though.
Actually buy a $20 metrocard and you get 2 free rides, so that's $1.67 per ride instead of $2. I too end up with around 250-300 miles a week if I commute by bike. Plus it just feels better.
Everyonce in a while when I wipe out and need a day to recover or if it's icy and snowing, I'll take the train. The way the D train runs "express" in brooklyn is absolutely ********. It's going literally 10mph on the express track on the entire section between 9th avenue all the way into grand street. WTF, I can bike twice as fast as that on my normal commute. I'm standing there for an hour watching the local trains blowing by me every single time. Plus not to mention having to stand there with 4000 people. I thank god every day that most people are too lazy to bike, otherwise I'll have to ride through a sea of people at 5mph every day too. Everyonce in a while going over the bridge, I see some roadie passing my train on the bike path and I think, "me me me me! that could be me right now!" The worst thing is that the MTA is raising fares again AND cutting service.
slvoid is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 10:38 PM
  #35  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 915
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
My commute time is about 1 hour and 10 minutes on average. Averaging about 16 mph. I take the West Side bike path once I am in Manhattan and pull up all the way to 86th Street, on the West Side. If there is no headwind riding along side the Hudson river, I can even cut my commute time to another 5 to 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by slvoid
Actually buy a $20 metrocard and you get 2 free rides, so that's $1.67 per ride instead of $2. I too end up with around 250-300 miles a week if I commute by bike. Plus it just feels better.
Everyonce in a while when I wipe out and need a day to recover or if it's icy and snowing, I'll take the train. The way the D train runs "express" in brooklyn is absolutely ********. It's going literally 10mph on the express track on the entire section between 9th avenue all the way into grand street. WTF, I can bike twice as fast as that on my normal commute. I'm standing there for an hour watching the local trains blowing by me every single time. Plus not to mention having to stand there with 4000 people. I thank god every day that most people are too lazy to bike, otherwise I'll have to ride through a sea of people at 5mph every day too. Everyonce in a while going over the bridge, I see some roadie passing my train on the bike path and I think, "me me me me! that could be me right now!" The worst thing is that the MTA is raising fares again AND cutting service.
R600DuraAce is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 10:50 PM
  #36  
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
 
slvoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762

Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by R600DuraAce
My commute time is about 1 hour and 10 minutes on average. Averaging about 16 mph. I take the West Side bike path once I am in Manhattan and pull up all the way to 86th Street, on the West Side. If there is no headwind riding along side the Hudson river, I can even cut my commute time to another 5 to 10 minutes.
I average just about the same going through city streets. I once hit almost 18 average when all the lights were right and I had a good tail wind. Best part of my day, chasing lights hehe.
slvoid is offline  
Old 12-26-04, 11:09 PM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 915
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I think I become more sensible in my training that I don't do "intervals" on my commute any more. Too stressful on my body added that more stress from work afterward. Yeah, once I am riding on city streets, I chase lights too. I try to make my commute more predictable and "peaceful."

Originally Posted by slvoid
I average just about the same going through city streets. I once hit almost 18 average when all the lights were right and I had a good tail wind. Best part of my day, chasing lights hehe.
R600DuraAce is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 12:15 AM
  #38  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
Actually buy a $20 metrocard and you get 2 free rides, so that's $1.67 per ride instead of $2. I too end up with around 250-300 miles a week if I commute by bike. Plus it just feels better.
Everyonce in a while when I wipe out and need a day to recover or if it's icy and snowing, I'll take the train. The way the D train runs "express" in brooklyn is absolutely ********. It's going literally 10mph on the express track on the entire section between 9th avenue all the way into grand street. WTF, I can bike twice as fast as that on my normal commute. I'm standing there for an hour watching the local trains blowing by me every single time. Plus not to mention having to stand there with 4000 people. I thank god every day that most people are too lazy to bike, otherwise I'll have to ride through a sea of people at 5mph every day too. Everyonce in a while going over the bridge, I see some roadie passing my train on the bike path and I think, "me me me me! that could be me right now!" The worst thing is that the MTA is raising fares again AND cutting service.
It's actually less than $1.67 if you buy your Metrocard with Transit Check. If you buy the monthly Metrocard, it might actually end up less if you use the system several times a day! If you think about, very few people actually pay $2.00 per trip.

Regardless. If you want faster service, move next to a MetroNorth train stop. A co-worker of mine did just that and she's in the city within 25 minutes. The MTA trains average 12-18 mph on the elevated portions and only a few subways actually hit 45mph in the tunnels. I still consider the New York City subway, one of the best systems in the world. I don't use the system much but find it an amazing just the same. The MTA is what allowed millons of New Yorkers to remain car free.
Dahon.Steve is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 12:19 AM
  #39  
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lansing, MI, USA
Posts: 30

Bikes: Specialized MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
How could I add anything to these great posts? I believe this is the best thread I have ever read on any forum, any time. Mike started it off beautifully almost four years ago and it keeps coming back with great additions. Good thoughts, well written. Thank you, all.
richmyer is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 03:20 AM
  #40  
contre nous de la tyranie
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Little Siberia
Posts: 564

Bikes: Trek 830, Trek 520, Surly 1x1 fixed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
Good god, someone dragged up the corpse of a thread over 4 years old...
This kind of reaction makes me want to sift through the oldest threads, to bring more of them to life! I'll be I'll be reviled, I'll be ridiculed, I'll be put on Santa's bad-boy list, but it'll be worth it.

On topic. Driving is painful. Biking in subzero temperatures is painful, but driving is more painful. Sometimes, like today, when I rode to the grocery store, by traversing a lake, bicycling is fun. If I told my wife that I took a shortcut across the lake with the Subaru, she would run away with the children. Without a wife and two boys, I'd get more sleep, but I'd be very unhappy.

Last edited by iceratt; 12-27-04 at 03:29 AM.
iceratt is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 05:26 AM
  #41  
To infinity and beyond
 
Anders K's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 425

Bikes: Cannondale M600, Crescent 92318, Bianchi Lo Spillone (tandem)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Keeps me in a reasonable physical and psychical shape

Makes no pullotion, environment friendly

Closer to the environment

I use the bike as my transportatation, makes me tighter in my connection with life

I relax (menthally) when on the bike

I like and support the idea of bicycle as transportation

I believe bicycling keeps my senses sharp. Iīm not talking of animal instinct here, but more human senses

Itīs more economical, or I like to think it is, spending all the money I save on my bike ;-)

Fun

Itīs a challenge, specially when bad wheather :-(

Faster then bus (sometimes)

Makes me independent
Anders K is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 07:33 AM
  #42  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Exercise, environmentalism, and pure joy in riding. I don't even know myself what percentage of each. The environmentalism is what's been with me the longest, really growing every year since I was a teenager. The exercise part is great, at 40 I'm certainly in better shape than I was a year ago, went sledding yesterday and was running up the hills, no problem.

Rainman; yeah, I talk to people at work, and they seem to think that 11 miles is some major league distance and I'm either a hardcore or some kind of nut for doing that much distance. In reality it's no big deal. Between 35 and 50 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Many people at work spend longer than that in their car one way.

I'll be completing my first year as a (most-of-the-time) commuter this spring. The longer I ride, the more I realize that even bad weather isn't that bad. I'm finding that I don't mind going outside even if it's cold or raining. People get so used to sitting in a warm dry spot that anything slightly off that seems horribly uncomfortable to them. As a kid I used to play in the snow and rain a lot; I'm starting to get that back again.
John Ridley is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 07:34 AM
  #43  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by iceratt
This kind of reaction makes me want to sift through the oldest threads, to bring more of them to life! I'll be I'll be reviled, I'll be ridiculed, I'll be put on Santa's bad-boy list, but it'll be worth it.
Ditto here. I'm not sure why people get irked when others revive old threads. If there's something to be said, why does it matter when the original post occurred? I find old and new threads equally enjoyable.

(sorry for totally OT)
John Ridley is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 08:17 AM
  #44  
Senior Member
 
late's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,937
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12171 Post(s)
Liked 1,481 Times in 1,094 Posts
John Brooking,
Hi, I'm in the next town east, Falmouth. I like stopping at the River Deli for soup when I'm riding. I go out to the Mall occasionally (yes, on a bike, the Back Bay Bike guys think I'm nuts. They're prob right)
I always stop and have some soup when I do that. Might go there today after I shovel. I promised the wife I'd exchange one of her presents. Wish I could go on my bike. I commute, but my cycling revolves around touring. My New Year's goal for this year is to go from North Conway to home in one day. I need to get in a LOT better shape than I am in right now to accomplish that one.
One of my favorite rides is down Rte 88, turn north at Yarmouth.
Go through Cumberland Center up to Blackstrap Rd, and then down Blackstrap to home. Several years ago, I lived in a tiny house right on the Westbroo/Gorham line. It's the first house in Gorham on the right on the back way to Gorham. It's tiny, 25' x 25'. When the bars get out Sat nite, cars and motorcycles would go by at over 100 mph ( it's a 35 mph zone, guys ) and the whole house would shake as they went by. I spent quite a bit to find a quieter neighborhood, know you know why
Anyway, I didn't intend the put down my lfe story, I have a tiny suspicion I'm avoiding shoveling
late is offline  
Old 12-27-04, 03:21 PM
  #45  
Volvo (Latin: I roll)
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 72

Bikes: Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Navigator and a vintage Brittany Free Spirit for the wife

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I live too close to work (<2 blocks) to commute by bike so I walk instead. But, if you took a poll here in town among those who commute to work on a bike, you'd most likely find that the overwhelming majority have lost their driver's license due to DWI or DUI.

PaperBoy
PaperBoy is offline  
Old 12-29-04, 04:05 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
EnigManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,258

Bikes: BikeE AT, Firebike Bling Bling, Norco Trike (customized)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by MadCat
Another motivation is that people actually notice me when I'm biking.
While my primary reasons for cycling are economics, speed and fun, I must admit I love the attention. I ride a 50's-style beach cruiser (2004 Fuji Shangri-la with 3-speed hub and coaster brakes) and that garners enough attention, but if I am feeling particularly bold I'll ride the new 6' 9" Giant Stiletto chopper (that nearly causes accidents!) or, if I want to go really really slow; the all-chrome low-rider (and that does cause accidents...LOL...two rubber-neckers had fender-benders last summer).

Believe it or not, cycling is faster in this city. I love passing all the motorists in my bicycle lane (even though I hate their exhaust and the fact that single-occupant idiots are yapping on their cell-phones, putting on lipstick, reading newspapers and books, working on their laptops, eating breakfast, rapping with their tunes, etc.) and I never have to wait for a bus or subway. The only down-side is rain and snow. They'll both prevent me from riding because slicks don't do well on wet surfaces.

Keep on biking!
EnigManiac is offline  
Old 12-29-04, 04:19 PM
  #47  
Ride the Road
 
Daily Commute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 4,059

Bikes: Surly Cross-Check; hard tail MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
I like eating things that are bad for me.
Daily Commute is offline  
Old 12-29-04, 06:06 PM
  #48  
Sumanitu taka owaci
 
LittleBigMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by mike
There are a lot of motivations for commuting by bicycle.

Some do it just because they like biking.

Others do it for environmental reasons or for the economics.

Something bizarre compels us to bicycle when most of us have automobile alternatives.

I like all the reasons, but mostly, I just love getting exercise outside to start my day. Days that I cannot bicycle to work are bad days for me.

Usually, I am the only person at work who noticed which way the wind is blowing each day. I have a reason to pay attention to the weather forecast on the morning news. I actually think about what I am having for breakfast to make sure it is just the right amount of fuel to get me to work and keep me going until lunch, but I have to be careful not to eat too much or else the ride becomes human suffering 101.

What is your motivation to commute by bicycle?
Aside from other things, you are, Mike.

Where have you been, lately?
__________________
No worries
LittleBigMan is offline  
Old 12-29-04, 08:26 PM
  #49  
Senior Member
 
balto charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baltimore/DC
Posts: 2,942
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 156 Times in 99 Posts
I would rather listen to weather reports than traffic reports
charlie
balto charlie is offline  
Old 12-30-04, 07:53 AM
  #50  
Senior Member
 
nick burns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Absecon, NJ
Posts: 2,947

Bikes: Puch Luzern, Puch Mistral SLE, Bianchi Pista, Motobecane Grand Touring, Austro-Daimler Ultima, Legnano, Raleigh MountainTour, Cannondale SM600

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
For all of the reasons listed in the previous posts.
nick burns is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.