Originally Posted by
dave.lloyd
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That said, I like city bikes and utility bikes. Personally, I think that a lot of people are a bit turned off thinking that they'll have to wear bike shorts and a jersey to hop on a bike. I don't think it occurs to most people that they can eliminate a large number of their under two to five mile trips by using a bike because of the perception that they have to change clothes to get on a bike, unlike their car where they can just turn the key and go.
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I've heard this about the clothing before and I'm sure there must be something to it, but honestly I'm surprised. Most commuters around here don't wear bike shorts and a jersey.
Twenty years ago when I first started commuting (very sporadically), I rode my 8 miles with a tie flapping in my face on a decent but not high end road bike. I was a fair weather commuter so no fenders, no lights and I didn't carry anything but me, so no rack. I'm sure I rolled up my pant leg or used a rubber band to keep stuff out of the chain.
Are people really thinking they need to dress like they're going to a race?
Incidentally I was still commuting on that same road bike up until this winter.
I said this way early in the thread but if having this type of specialized bike helps motivate people to commute I'm all for it. I just hope it doesn't get to the point where people think they
have to go out and get a special bike designed for commuting when it's likely that the bike they already have sitting in the garage will do just fine.