I'll keep the prep advice in mind. Honestly, I didn't think it would be difficult, it was 3 miles each way. The guy is younger than me, and I started in a similar situation 3 months ago without any advice or suggestions. But yes, it is a good idea to suggest some prep.

I wish I had known a bike commuter, or found this forum when I started though. I could have avoided some mistakes which cost me money since I didn't know what to look for.

convert a cager? uh-uh. motivation is way too personal I think.

No worries Double T, I was just trying to be funny. I grew up thinking that "cagers" were basketball players, so calling motorists that has always seemed a little weird to me.

No matter how much evangelizing you do you will never ever be able to convert a single person, because in the end no matter how compelling your arguments are, other people need to decide for themselves if it is for them or not. The rising gas prices and other car-related hassles are already increasing the number of bicycle commuters out there as it becomes more of a logical choice and less of a lunatic fringe behavior in the eyes of the public.

A tan face, a slimming waistline, increased energy and an improved demeanor will do more to compel people than any carbon footprint sermon ever will. I'm not advising you not to try, just manage your expectations accordingly. People will choose when they both want to and are ready at the same time.

I get more beer/coffee money by spending less on gas. That and awesome legs.

My public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.

Interesting note...I was ribbing a coworker 2 days ago about riding instead of driving. She acted as if it was no big deal and she could hammer it out no prob. I "challenged" her to ride the following day. Well...She came in the next day in a summer dress and said, "I was going to ride but figure it would not be appropriate in a dress." She was kidding of course as she had no intention of really riding.

Now this morning she tell me that she was worried she was going to wake up to a flat tire in her Expedition today because she thought she ran over a nail yesterday and the tire was low. Instead of readying her bike, which she has never ridden to work I must add, she told her hubby to take her car and deal with the flat so she could have his car today.

When asked why she didn't just try to ride it she said, "The chain fell off and I don't want to deal with fixing it."

I have given up hope for converting. If I do then I do if not then oh well.

I am waaaay past that sort of thing bothering me and would actually find it funny.

Why would you want to waste your time, effort and stress trying to convert? You don't get any bonus points for it, and you'll never convert enough that you don't have to suck exhaust fumes on your commute. You might wear yourself out with wasted trying enough that you come across as pitiful and desperate to people you might otherwise win over, though.

Seems to me a more reasonable thing to do notice is people who already seem curious and interested, but reluctant, then encourage them by empowering them to overcome whatever concerns are keeping them away, with information.

You think bike commuting could be fun but you're worried about arriving at work as some kind of sweat monster? Here's a link to a thread of someone else with the same problem, and a gang of ways to obviate or solve it. You need to haul around more tools than you can easily get into a backpack? Substantial bike trailers exist, let me show you a place to buy some nice ones. There aren't sidewalks along the whole way? Good, you shouldn't be riding on the sidewalks anyway; here's an explanation of why it's demonstrably safer to ride on the streets, now let's examine what the local laws have to say on the subject.

You may have indirectly converted someone just by being out on the road. Who knows? That's why I decided to give bike commuting a try. You see enough people doing it and suddenly it doesn't seem so impossible.

I witnessed great hordes of cycling commuters in China in 1982. It was a very dismal and depressing sight.
Part of me hopes the masses leave the road to me and continue taking cars and subways.

ding ding ding! I used to encourage people but I've realized more bikes on the road is a bigger hassle for my commute. too many people can ruin anything.

Some people hold up Amsterdam and Copenhagen as great models, but all I see are miserable looking cyclists on 50 pound city bikes in bike lane traffic jams. China is certainly worse, adding in the pollution and the even greater numbers. I remind those who may be interested of the drawbacks, including exposure to the weather, sweating, crashing, flat tires, etc. None of this stuff bothers me, but are "no gos" for the average person.

They're just more insulation.

Now I know. - Thanks

It would sure be nice if they worked like cooling fins, though.

Tell her that you will meet up with her at her house and ride in with her!