How do you deal with people at work?
 

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on the forums to post but I have been lurking. I guess it's time I start participating again.

Any way, I've been commuting to work since August, and for the most part people at work have been cool with it. I've even had a few people ask for advice so they could start riding. But, there is the occasional person that likes to be a jerk. The other day I had a guy come up to me and say "Hey, why can't you be like every body else and buy a car?"
My supervisor also likes to single me out, in front of every one and ask how I'm going to get to work in the winter, just to laugh at me while I explain that the trail is in fact plowed, and it won't be an issue.

I know some of you have been commuting a lot longer then me, how do you handle resistance from your coworkers that just don't seem to get it?

As a side note, I have yet to miss a day of work. I've commuted through the storms, dodged the fallen trees, and gone eight miles on the trail without a light when mine died, there was even some snow last week. I've loved every minute of it, and to be honest, if I had to drive, I'd probably quit my job.

Look at them like they have a third eye, say nothing, and go back to work!

I started commuting again 3yrs ago. Haven't had any problems. As for they people who ask why I can't be "normal". I laugh, pat my stomach and say 'cuz I'd be 250lbs if I didn't. If they laugh with me, fine. If not, so be it.

As far as work goes, they get some kind of kudo points (don't ask me, don't know, don't really care, I ride for myself) for people doing alternative commutes. To get the points for 1 person that person only has to ride in 1 day a week and not even the whole commute. I ride in almost everyday. (It is Phoenix after all.) So the boss is happy to count 1 more alternate on his point system.

Commuted for 16 years, now retired.
Sure you'll get occasional comments and snide remarks.
Just tell 'em your bike costs less than 1 year's car insurance.
By the time I retired had half dozen folks commuting on bikes.
Even one boss, who 'hated' bikes, ended up riding!

most of them are very supportive of it... but I am no-longer a hard core commuter.... so I take the train or bum a ride with my buddy when the weather is bad.

But...that's not true for me. ;)

Today is the first day people have really started looking at me strange. Temps this morning were in the upper 20s (F) and I got a lot of "But aren't you cold?" I got a little bit from people last week for riding at night. In general I'd just let it roll off your back.

Yeah I guess it really isn't all that bad. I did pick on one guy yesterday, he was mad because his car was broken and was gonna cost a few hundred to fix. I told him my bike cost less than his repair bill.

The guys that ask me for advice make my day though, one kid that lives by me told me he wanted to try riding, but didn't want to go the whole eightish miles like I do. I've been encouraging him to leave his car at the local police station in town and bike from there, but he hasn't tried yet. Another guy got a DUI and might not have a choice, I told him if he wanted I could meet up with him.

I'm lucky: the people at work have to deal with me. But I don't give them a hard time about being fat and driving all the time.

I got a few of those, I told them I sweat on the ride home at 1:45 in the morning, and I always keep under armor in my bag to wear home.

I guy I live by scraps metal, and gets a lot of bikes in really good condition. I should just pay him scrap price, and leave the bikes at work in case any one wants to try riding.

I reply by telling them that I do own a car and it's fully paid off. I choose to bike because it's faster, cheaper, gets me exercise, and I feel better at work when I commute by bike. So if you want me to be a fat, poor, crabby SOB, I'll drive, but I prefer riding.

+1 Being the boss makes it easy.

My experience is that, since I am rarely impacted by traffic, my arrival time is a heck of a lot more reliable than most. During the infrequent severe weather events, I am usually the first to arrive. Folks know this and have gotten into the habit of calling me for a road report.

Good luck

-G

They'll get used to it.

There are some people in my building who will ask me why I rode if the weather was particularly nasty. I have an answer that seems to resonate with most of them.

A few years ago on a really cold day after a fresh snow, my heart rate monitor claimed that I had burned over 500 calories on my way into work, and almost that much on the way home. If there had been much more new snow than there was I probably would have taken the train. Riding through that was a lot of work, - about 1000 calories worth.

Anyway when people ask about why I'd ride in weather like that, I tell them I burn off about 4 cans of beer and a snickers bars by getting to and from work that way.

Change the beer and snickers bar into whatever metric you think would be most effective.

I've been at my job for three years now. I was a part-time bike commuter when I started. I rode to the interview! I'm now car-free.

Nobody thinks it's weird now. They're just used to me. They do think my 100-mile ride in the rain yesterday (I took the day off) is weird. :P

Been commuting by bike for 11 years, almost 5 at the present location. There's a LOT less resistance to it here. . . although, I DO get at least one puke a year who tries to tell me I can't bring my bike in the building. (They are NEVER in a position of authority, so a bit of belligerent clarification goes a long way.)

"Normal"? "Like everybody else"? Anyone who's known me for more than a month doesn't bring that to the conversation. I REVEL in my individuality, my curmudgeonly demeanor, and my status as a square peg that doesn't fit in the slotted hole. I've had a LIST of managers who support my choices, and as long as my bike isn't in the way, they're good.

Depending on how big your company is and whether they have any kind of diversity policy, I would definitely considering lodging a complaint with HR if my boss ridiculed me over my transportation choice. If you take it as a friendly jest, then maybe not, but if you feel there is any kind of meanness behind it or the kidding bothers you, there may be avenues to correct his behavior.

100 miles in the rain would be fun! I look forward to trying something like that some time.

As far as lodging a complaint, if it continues I will. I'm hoping I don't have to go that route.

The first avenue should be to talk to your boss, not lodge a complaint. Something to the effect of "I know you are just kidding about this stuff, but it is starting to bother me. I would appreciate it if you would leave discussion about my transportation choice out of future discussions. Will you agree to do that for me?"

in 95% of the cases, this will solve your problem.

Are you antagonizing them back? If so, that changes things a little.

But overall, there are lots of stupid reasons for people to pick on you: you're different, the unfortunate perception that bikes are toys for kids and that you are being less "mature", the association of DUIs with adult bike commuters, the "unnecessary" danger and physical effort you are taking on to do this, the thinking that everyone above a certain socioeconomic class would obviously choose motorized transport, etc.

Ultimately, you just have to be at peace with being different, acknowledge people who are supportive, and don't let the others get to you. Intrinsic motivation.

- Scott

I think my first reaction would have been "Why would I want to be like everybody else?"

[edit]

A few years ago, I got a similar ribbing, but I also knew the coworker wasn't a complete *******, so I sincerely tried to answer his question about why I liked riding my bike to work. I knew he was a golfer so I put it in those terms: Cycling is to me what golf is to you. If it were possible to golf to work, wouldn't you do it?

The most I get is "You rode today? It's pretty cold out!" or one old guy that's convinced it's dangerous, and I'm going to get killed expressing his worry. The unit director(grand high poobah) has held the front door open for me a time or two(We tend to get in at the same time).

Couple of the procurement people that sit in my section were apparently cheering me as I fought my way over the bridge in the 60 mph winds a few weeks ago. I couldn't hear over the wind.

I suspect it helps that I work for a giant corp that's pretty down on discrimination, harassment or non-pc behavior in general. I'm also not the first bike commuter, just the only one at the moment(Other guy got hit by a car while out on a training ride and isn't able to get back on a bike yet).

Edit: It might help that I do own a car, and occasionally drive in when I have to do dispatch work. Probably removes the "low class" or "dui" stigma.

I am fortunate enough to have a very bike friendly work. Since I've started commuting this last June I've started up a Friday Bike Lunch. Where we will bike to a lunch destination, usually about 1-3 miles. We have about 18 people on the mailing list(not everyone comes), but people will bring their bikes into work by car just to go ride to lunch with us. It is a good way to build a little biking community at work. The haters just eat lunch by themselves.

Great idea weshigh,

While I'm the only bicycle commuter here, there are two others who ride recreationally, so I might suggest the lunch thing. This is a kind of bad section of East LA though, so I doubt I'll get very far with it . . . worth a try though!

Rick / OCRR

Tell them you'll start driving a car to work when they pay you enough to afford one.

Tell them you'll start driving a car to work when they provide you with a company car.

Tell them you'll start driving a car to work when they provide you with free parking and gas money.

Tell them to you'll start driving a car to work when everyone else who takes public transportation or walks starts driving a car to work.

None of the above are true, of course, but it will shut them up pretty quickly.:D