Helping People take their first Commute
06-23-11 | 10:50 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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Helping People take their first Commute
Hello,
I've been an avid commuter for years and have always tried to get people I work with to come along for the ride. As you know most people look at you like your crazy when you tell them you bike to work rather than drive in a cage!
Well today I brought someone along to show them the ropes and it was great. She realized it wasnt that hard and I had fun helping her out. Yesterday I spent some time explaining what she needed to bring with her, equipment and where to store her bike and change for work.
I'm wondering if any of you have any stories or suggestions on how you have encouraged people to join you and start commuting by bike.
I've been an avid commuter for years and have always tried to get people I work with to come along for the ride. As you know most people look at you like your crazy when you tell them you bike to work rather than drive in a cage!
Well today I brought someone along to show them the ropes and it was great. She realized it wasnt that hard and I had fun helping her out. Yesterday I spent some time explaining what she needed to bring with her, equipment and where to store her bike and change for work.
I'm wondering if any of you have any stories or suggestions on how you have encouraged people to join you and start commuting by bike.
06-23-11 | 11:13 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 645
Likes: 25
From: Phoenix, AZ
Well, start by dropping the attitude that cars/drivers are cages/cagers. The "avid" part of it, is what's drawing the crazy looks.
Most people are open to bike commuting as a "sometimes" option. Show them what's involved, and let them decide how often they can do it.
Most people are open to bike commuting as a "sometimes" option. Show them what's involved, and let them decide how often they can do it.
06-23-11 | 11:19 AM
#3
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
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From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
I have managed to convert a couple of co-workers into frequent cycle commuters. Still after the toughest nut to crack, an overweight, diabetic very sedentary junkfood addict in her mid 20's who has had minor strokes and various health issues related to her lifestyle.
No matter how positive and/or encouraging I am I just can't get this gal off her fat ass. She is actually a very nice person and it makes me sad to think that soon I'll probably be going to yet another fat related funeral of someone half my age.
No matter how positive and/or encouraging I am I just can't get this gal off her fat ass. She is actually a very nice person and it makes me sad to think that soon I'll probably be going to yet another fat related funeral of someone half my age.
06-23-11 | 11:29 AM
#4
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Joined: Apr 2006
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You might be making a good point about attitude. My enthusiasum about commuting might come accross as a bit obsessive. That said, I should point out that I drive to work sometimes and never make disparaging remarks about driving(iI realize it's a necessity for most in different ways)
Assuring people that it's a "sometimes option" is good advice as as way to try it. thanks.
Assuring people that it's a "sometimes option" is good advice as as way to try it. thanks.
06-23-11 | 10:47 PM
#5
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Most people at work think I'm crazy or obsessive until they realize that I live 3 miles from work and driving is a bit absurd. Only myself and maybe two others live in the city, one within walking distance, and another about 1 mi from me who is considering starting to bicycle commute. San Francisco's unreliable bus system is pushing him towards the bicycle option.
About 75% of 25 or so people at work drive there because they live out in the suburbs and have commutes between 15 and 120 miles each way so bicycling can seem absurd. Yes, one guy drives 100 and another drives 120 each way to work. The rest are between 15 and 60 miles or so. Most people can probably ride further than they think, but they have not ever rode distances greater than a few miles in the park or around the block perhaps. I think for many people, their thinking is that riding beyond 5 or maybe 10 miles is very challenging and would not consider bicycling these distances even though we're only talking 30 to 60 minutes.
Honestly I'm a fair weather bicyclist. If there is greater than 20% chance of rain, I'm either driving or using the bus (which still requires I walk 1/3 mi from/to home and 5/8 mi from/to the office).
Antagonizing driving would really make you seem crazy or obsessive and turn people off as a result. Even though driving is not absolutely necessary for everything, many people choose it for one reason or another because they can. Having them explore bicycling as an option by easing them into it and helping them realize it is a realistic option for more than just commuting.
About 75% of 25 or so people at work drive there because they live out in the suburbs and have commutes between 15 and 120 miles each way so bicycling can seem absurd. Yes, one guy drives 100 and another drives 120 each way to work. The rest are between 15 and 60 miles or so. Most people can probably ride further than they think, but they have not ever rode distances greater than a few miles in the park or around the block perhaps. I think for many people, their thinking is that riding beyond 5 or maybe 10 miles is very challenging and would not consider bicycling these distances even though we're only talking 30 to 60 minutes.
Honestly I'm a fair weather bicyclist. If there is greater than 20% chance of rain, I'm either driving or using the bus (which still requires I walk 1/3 mi from/to home and 5/8 mi from/to the office).
Antagonizing driving would really make you seem crazy or obsessive and turn people off as a result. Even though driving is not absolutely necessary for everything, many people choose it for one reason or another because they can. Having them explore bicycling as an option by easing them into it and helping them realize it is a realistic option for more than just commuting.
Last edited by jsdavis; 06-23-11 at 10:56 PM.
06-23-11 | 11:57 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
Out of the 40 or 50 people that work in our main office, there's probably about 10 that ride with some regularity and a couple more than ride once in awhile.
I used to be the only one. I've never tried to talk anyone into doing it. There are a lot of other folks in the building that commute by bike though too. I think what works best is to see other people (like you) riding. The more it appears to be a be a mainstream activity rather than something engaged in by niche groups, the more riders you will have.
I used to be the only one. I've never tried to talk anyone into doing it. There are a lot of other folks in the building that commute by bike though too. I think what works best is to see other people (like you) riding. The more it appears to be a be a mainstream activity rather than something engaged in by niche groups, the more riders you will have.
06-24-11 | 12:17 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 518
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From: Portland, OR
I have managed to convert a couple of co-workers into frequent cycle commuters. Still after the toughest nut to crack, an overweight, diabetic very sedentary junkfood addict in her mid 20's who has had minor strokes and various health issues related to her lifestyle.
No matter how positive and/or encouraging I am I just can't get this gal off her fat ass. She is actually a very nice person and it makes me sad to think that soon I'll probably be going to yet another fat related funeral of someone half my age.
No matter how positive and/or encouraging I am I just can't get this gal off her fat ass. She is actually a very nice person and it makes me sad to think that soon I'll probably be going to yet another fat related funeral of someone half my age.
If somebody showed up drunk every morning for work somebody would say something. Being morbidly obese is worse for your health. Get her in to cycling for ****'s sake!
(it might take a while)
06-24-11 | 12:20 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Most people at work think I'm crazy or obsessive until they realize that I live 3 miles from work and driving is a bit absurd. Only myself and maybe two others live in the city, one within walking distance, and another about 1 mi from me who is considering starting to bicycle commute. San Francisco's unreliable bus system is pushing him towards the bicycle option.
About 75% of 25 or so people at work drive there because they live out in the suburbs and have commutes between 15 and 120 miles each way so bicycling can seem absurd. Yes, one guy drives 100 and another drives 120 each way to work. The rest are between 15 and 60 miles or so. Most people can probably ride further than they think, but they have not ever rode distances greater than a few miles in the park or around the block perhaps. I think for many people, their thinking is that riding beyond 5 or maybe 10 miles is very challenging and would not consider bicycling these distances even though we're only talking 30 to 60 minutes.
Honestly I'm a fair weather bicyclist. If there is greater than 20% chance of rain, I'm either driving or using the bus (which still requires I walk 1/3 mi from/to home and 5/8 mi from/to the office).
Antagonizing driving would really make you seem crazy or obsessive and turn people off as a result. Even though driving is not absolutely necessary for everything, many people choose it for one reason or another because they can. Having them explore bicycling as an option by easing them into it and helping them realize it is a realistic option for more than just commuting.
About 75% of 25 or so people at work drive there because they live out in the suburbs and have commutes between 15 and 120 miles each way so bicycling can seem absurd. Yes, one guy drives 100 and another drives 120 each way to work. The rest are between 15 and 60 miles or so. Most people can probably ride further than they think, but they have not ever rode distances greater than a few miles in the park or around the block perhaps. I think for many people, their thinking is that riding beyond 5 or maybe 10 miles is very challenging and would not consider bicycling these distances even though we're only talking 30 to 60 minutes.
Honestly I'm a fair weather bicyclist. If there is greater than 20% chance of rain, I'm either driving or using the bus (which still requires I walk 1/3 mi from/to home and 5/8 mi from/to the office).
Antagonizing driving would really make you seem crazy or obsessive and turn people off as a result. Even though driving is not absolutely necessary for everything, many people choose it for one reason or another because they can. Having them explore bicycling as an option by easing them into it and helping them realize it is a realistic option for more than just commuting.
