I'm the only bicycle commuter here, the whole time I've been with this company. I did get some questions at first but mostly curiosity I think. I don't recall anyone ever being obnoxious or even less than supportive really.

Since that beginning my bike has become rather unique in itself, and I don't think it would even occur to someone to ask why I won't act "normal" and drive. Of course some people will express concern or question my judgment during really cold weather or days like this with a tornado warning but it's nothing to get worked up about. They just don't understand.


Alan, what if they did, then what would you do? I'd be afraid to bring this up.

There are a few everyday bikers in my office and everyone thinks we are the most intense group of people ever. It's not that difficult people

Haters gon' hate.

As a native Georgian, I'd like to point out that "really cold" doesn't happen there. And your severe weather is a regular spring storm here!

I do mock people when they complain about the humidity here, though.

I have gotten a lot of comments - most of them just people thinking I'm crazy, not really ridicule. One guy joked that I'm the only person he knows since the 80s that still wears spandex.

You have to understand that to the average inactive, couch potato, riding even 10mi to work sounds like running a marathon every day. A year and a half later now, people are starting to come up to me asking for advice on what kind of bike to get and to help them find a route to get to work. They've seen me lose over 35lbs and realized that I ride to work and don't stink. I have definitely seen that attitude change from "OMG you are crazy" to "That's pretty cool" and in some cases "I wanto to do that!". A few people still say I'm crazy, but they are the people talking about taking blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medication. Who is the crazy one?

Keep it up - the more people see it, the more they realize it can be very "normal".

As I am taking another bite of my poptart, I point out that I can eat pretty much whatever I want and not worry about putting weight on. The worst ones are typically the least physically active ones, and this will usually shut them up.

It's all relative! But I'll warrant that this January it was "really cold" by Georgia standards what with the arctic air - minus 10-12 Centrigrade and frozen roads for weeks - but that was kind of fluky.

But now that you mention it, I find all the "extreme" weather pretty mild here in Georgia compared to my old stomping grounds in North Texas let alone other parts, even though the averages look pretty similar.

You really think they would give the OP a company car so he wouldn't have to ride his bike to work? In that case, tell them you also need a two hour paid lunch to go for a ride to make up for lost exercise driving the company car to work and a car big enough to transport your bike and gear.

Fixed.

It never happens to me. For 1 simple reason. I'm one of the owners of the company, and we encourage cycling. So no one gives me crap. In fact probably 40% of the staff commutes by bikeat least part of the time.

Don't take this as an insult because it's not intended that way. It's a lesson I'm still continuing to learn myself.

A thicker skin will help you deal with jerks or people who are well-meaning but still rude.

This thread reminded me that I often used to choose to walk a couple of miles to various places when I was a kid. I lived in a small town and as often as not, somebody who knew who I was would stop and ask if I wanted a ride.

People were dumbfounded and sometimes even insulted when I'd say "No thanks. I like to walk.", especially if the weather wasn't that great. Walking more than a couple of blocks was "work" and why would anyone choose that over riding in a car?

Today there's more awareness and concern about sedentary lifestyles than there was back in the 70's. Folks back then were far more likely to "Go for a drive" to nowhere than they were to go for a walk.

Anyway, the idea of an adult using a bike as a means from getting to A to B is truly weird for some people in this country. Plus Pallen is right. Riding 10 miles to work and then doing it again on the way home, - several times a week, sounds like misery to a lot of folks.

Just look at them like Nipper the RCA dog......

People who don't ride bicycles don't "get" bicycles. Many people are so accustomed to driving everywhere that they don't even realize there are other ways to get around. Also, it's a class thing whether they will admit it or not. Riding a bike = poor and can't afford a car. To them it seems completely illogical that an adult who can afford a car chooses to not use one all the time.

I suggest you adopt the DGF style...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb5fAk2LzMQ

Why bother getting offended or feeling singled out?
Nothing gets some peoples' goats more than your having an ungettable goat.

Yeah, kinda gotta let the fluff be what it is... fluff.

I live in Atlanta. 1 word. Traffic.

Don't be cruel, or condescending even if they are that way with you. Do like I do, tell them you do it because you want to take care of your body. And believe it or not, millions of people around the world actually have fun doing it.

The benefits outweigh the risks. I'm lucky. People where I work think it's cool, they just worry about my safety.

Almost everyone has been positive. There's the rare hater which of course just fits their personality. I just smile and nod along. I never "shoot" back, but once in the company of a couple haters, someone else asked if I got hungrier since cycling to work. I said yes, I eat more ,and since July lost 10 lbs. The haters, who happen to be obese, shut up after that. The silence was deafening and music to my ears.

Riding my bike to work sounds great, but it isn't feasible for me to do it for a handful of reasons. Perhaps you guys can give me some ideas on how to get past the obstacles.

First, I live in the South. I know that if I ride to work during the Summer months I will be drenched in sweat before I get there. The ride is probably 3 miles at most, but it is so humid here that I don't see a way around it. I could change clothes before and after riding, but I tend to keep sweating for a while after I start, and that wouldn't be very pleasant for anyone.

Second, I live in the South. My city was recently ranked 4th poorest in the nation by AOL. Crime is rampant. Inasmuch as I work with precious metals and gemstones, as well as making the nightly deposit a few times per week, I would be singled out and targeted for robbery, I fear.

Third, I live in the South. Not known for it's intelligence, and despite it's reputation as a friendly region, it is far from accomodating of statistical outliers on the bell shaped curve, such as cycle commuters. Inevitably, the inconsiderate geniuses who built my workplace installed no place to store bikes.

Shreddy, just do it.

+1 on this. All companies require that you have transportation to work, but HR 101 teaches that a company cannot require what form that transportation takes. When I interview prospective employees, it is expressly against company policy to ask if they have a car. You have to ask if they have transportation. It is considered discrimination.

Fortunately for me my boss is a bike commuter too and is actually the person who influenced me to try it out in the first place. We have even ridden to work together a few times, which is about a 28 mile ride for me and 20 for him. Best part of that is, if I am late because of commuting, he is very understanding. Gotta love that.

Screw 'em, answer their questions politely, keep riding and enjoying yourself.

Marc

Shreddy,

I have no advice for the second issue. You'll have to figure out your comfort level with crime and danger. I live in Kentucky and have no real issues, and I'm car-free. I never have to deal with bank deposits, but I do carry a laptop worth $2000 or so

In the summer and winter I ride in bike clothes (warmer ones in the winter) and change clothes at work. In the spring and fall and can wear work clothes, at least if I keep my pace reasonable. Your short commute seems doable that way.

As far as bike storage, it varies by employer. I currently park in my office. In my previous office at the same employer, that didn't work and I parked in a utility closet. There is also a parking garage that has a single bike rack, but I haven't had to use that.

I enjoy (most) of the aspects of being different. It doesn't bother me, and I don't worry about what others think.

I point at their fat gut and ask "when are you due?"

where i work there are 2 cars in the car park and about 20 bikes which is really a great thing to see. i still get a little stick because i wear a helmet, ride in the rain and commute an 8 mile round trip. however its mostly curriosity that motivates people to ask me about my commute and i never feel any hostility. one of the many reasons i love china is that is so bike friendly.

I have never been hassled about cycling to work but it is a point of conversation pretty frequently (you know, when you show up 100% drenched with your helmet on and have to get your rain gear off, etc. it kind of makes a bit of a scene). Usually the conversations are pretty light and I make fun of myself. A coworker recently said "I couldn't bike to work because I would be drowning in sweat" to which I replied "see, I'm a software engineer and we're supposed to look crappy and disheveled so it's perfect for me". Joke around and keep in mind that if you're not in a heavy cycling city people are probably fascinated with your choice of transportation more than anything (it'd be like if somebody rode a horse to work or something along those lines... you'd obviously start asking them questions about it!).

the same point as me.just do what you want!!!