Anyone else commute to an auto-industry job by bike?
 

I'll admit, I'm an infrequent commuter lately for a variety of reasons, but when I do ride in the day always seems to go by faster.

Anyways, I work in an offshoot of the auto industry. I work for a car parts distributor/retailer*(not an autozone/pep boys). We sell European car parts, and I am the proud owner of a pair of aging German warhorses. The other day I rode to work and a customer happened to ask which car in our lot was mine. I responded "none of them, I biked in." To which he replied; "Well that's sort of ironic, and not very good advertising!"

I thought this was sort of funny, and thought I'd share. Is anyone else in the same situation?

*I've also seen some threads about whether or not you can keep your bike inside your workplace. I work in a warehouse, so I have this luxury. It's great for my peace-of-mind to be able to see my ride from my workbench.

Yeah, I worked at the GM facility(formerly Saturn) in Spring Hill, TN. It was/is 20.8 miles from my house...mostly rural. Out of about 5000 employees I was the only cycle-commuter. After a period of people questioning my sanity, supervisor's wondering if I'd be able to complete a shift, co-workers asking me tons of questions all the hub-bub died down. A begruged respect began to build as soon guys who 'worked out' started asking questions about cardio, hill-climbing and stuff like that. Older guys asked about my vitals, cholestrol numbers, diet, sleep patterns, etc. Once in while I'd take days off and would receive comments...good-natured razzing about 'losing my edge', being a poseur, and if it rained being afraid of getting a 'wet-ace'. As only Southern born and bred men can say it. :p

Over a 2.5 year period most of the doubters were turned into converts. At least, the bicycle began looking like a legitimate transportation vehicle instead of a toy. After work guys would say, "Lemme' ride that thing". It was a fixed gear. :lol: They'd take off on it and the standard response was, "WTF!!!" What's wrong w/this thing?" Then all of his buddies would laugh and say, "Whatsamatter Jimmy can't cha even ride a bah-cycle no more?' "**** no! Not that one!" Then they'd all be facinated and freaked out as I explained the operation of the fg. That plus I ride clipless left them mystified and impressed. "You ride that sucka ever' day?" "Well, man hats off to you, brother."

Just started back to work after having been laid off for a pretty good while and my new job is almost exactly the same distance. Though it's more urban in places. I'm a happy guy. :thumb:

I own an automotive repair shop. I work three ten hour days/week and usually do a 30 mile round trip bike commute on two of them. There's anywhere from 5-8 bikes, extra wheels, frames etc., on the wall, and a couple of tool carts with bike parts in an area visible from the office. When I am writing up a customer's automotive concerns, they have a view of a PC monitor with a screensaver of our cycling trips out in West Texas.

Don in Austin

I work for an aftermarket manufacturer of engine, powertrain and braking components.

Well, if I did, I would ride a GMC Denali :D

Ah, riding a crappy bike to a facility that produces the crappiest cars ever.

60 * 52 = 3120 miles a year you don't drive, that much less time your car spends getting repaired.

I work for a large marketing company, in their printing / mailing department. While not exclusively an "auto industry job" we do plenty of promotional mailings for individual automotive dealers, and even have contracts with several auto corporations. If you buy a new GM, you'll get a welcome kit from me. :)

We have over 400 employees at my facility, and there are two other men who ride to work occasionally. There was also one woman who rode for a little while, but it seems that she stopped. My bike gets parked just outside my cube on the production floor.

WHile it's not strictly an automotive industry job, I do bike to work at the Department of Transportaion.

My auto mechanic rides his bike to work every day. He's a good guy, however the more I ride, the less I get to talk to him.

I've worked/owned an automotive machine shop for 40 years.Been riding my bicycle to work for 34 of them.You should see the look on the high performance guys faces.I don't drive much on the street anymore,but I can build you a 8000HP+ Hemi that spits nitromethane fueled fireballs and consumes 24 gallons of fuel in 5 seconds.

Ah, another stupid, unfunny post by the resident BF misanthropic ignoramus. :thumb: I'm honored.

My car got rear-ended this year and when I took it to the insurance assessor, there were at least 2 really nice bikes hung up on the wall, and some assorted bike parts. I asked the guy who was serving me about them and he said it was the other 2 guys working there who rode a lot. /awkward silence.

I've worked in the automotive finance industry for 30 years, GMAC now Ally Finance. I drove a car from '81 to '92 and then took up running. I ran to work from '92 to '96 and then moved and started commuting by bike. I've been transferred by the company 3 times since '96 holding various positions and commuting from 11 miles to 44 miles RT. My commute for last 2 1/2 years has been 33 miles RT.

Ride safe,

Jeff