gwd

I've noticed this year that I see more overweight women biking to work or wherever carrying packages and wearing normal clothes. This is a good sign. Last night I stopped to help one who was having trouble with the chain on her electric bike. She told me the bike is a "car replacement". She said she got a normal bike for trips under 5 miles and the electric for longer distances and when she didn't want to arrive all sweaty. Her electric bike had a removable basket up front and a really substantial rack on the back with fenders and chain guard. Instead of working and waiting to get in shape before dumping the car she just took the plunge.

There is also a larger woman at work who has begun biking. But she told me her motivation was to have more fun with this car-free boyfriend who gets around by bike.

GodsBassist

I heard they make this rockin' world go 'round.

crocodilefundy

I worked with a women who said she couldn't run due to knee pain from the exrta weight but she said the cycling was really good for her. cycling is a perfect low impact solution.

Platy

Everybody looks better on a bike.

Roody

Bike's also a good motivator for losing weight. A couple hard climbs make me want to pare back!

Sniomhaiche

Hey! I resemble that remark! ;-)

DX-MAN

I never say anything bad about anyone riding a bike...unless they're doing it wrong, as in dangerously. This morning, on a four-lane road, one that I use to connect to the MUP, a Latino woman was riding about 8 mph on the wrong side of the street; I told her so, very directly. Other than stuff like that, I don't care how, big, how old, how slow -- they're riding, and that's good.

(although, now I wonder...a couple I saw several times on the MUP, riding slow; I haven't seen them for over a week. The last time I did, the guy was short-cutting a blind corner as I was coming into it. I'm sure he was a bit unsettled, probably thought it was my fault, but they haven't been out since that I saw. Maybe they just started riding later in the day, after all, it's been getting cooler....)

bmclaughlin807

+10!

FLIGHTSIMMER

I used to laugh at fat people on bikes, till one of them kicked my ass in a race, that was a humbling experience, never under estimate you're competition.

jgedwa

You made my morning.

j

coldfeet

Here too. Some of them have figured out that the weight is less of a penalty when riding compared to running. I chatted briefly with one the other morning, then said "Well I think I'm a bit late, see you later." and accelerated away. Looked back after couple of minutes, OK, she was back aways, but I certainly hadn't lost her.

I do think the numbers overall are up noticeably this year for bike commuters, and in some of the colder mornings, sometimes wetter mornings, numbers aren't dropping of a cliff as in previous years.

Very good signs.

bmclaughlin807

Good for some people, maybe..... not so good for me when I want to take my bike on the lightrail!

Been CROWDED lately... and getting crowded earlier and earlier in the morning. Used to be if I tried to take the last train that would get me to work by 8 I stood a good chance of being bumped because the train already had the max number of bikes on it.... now I stand about the same chance if I go an hour early!

It's gotten so bad that I started scheduling my work day later.... and now the next hour's worth of trains are starting to be congested as well!

coldfeet

Sorry you're having problems. The light rail here doesn't allow bikes during peak times. 6.30-9.00 am 3.30-6.00 pm.

Pretty much makes it impossible to use a combined method for commuting, unless you use a folder. Wouldn't want to anyway, it really wouldn't save me any time and would mean using much more busy roads. My current commute involves about 80% fairly empty pathways, I am usually in sight of another rider, and sometimes have to actually maneuver around other riders at cross-overs. But for the most part I can just enjoy the ride.

In the Winter though, it means not all the paths I use are swept, those that aren't can make it an endurance event.

bmclaughlin807

My route is all road, and crosses the light rail. The light rail runs right past my work... takes 20-30 minutes each way off my commute if I use it.