I failed to convert a cager today. A colleague borrowed my other bike (the T***** special), thinking he would try out bike commuting. It's a heavy but comfortable ride. Well, he tried one whole day, and is ready to return it now. Reasons for not wanting to commute: bum hurts, tired, sweaty and (wait for this) ..... even girls kept overtaking him when he was cycling!

I'm not sure why he thought he could breeze through a 6 miles RT commute without sweating and still keep pace with regular cyclists on road bikes (though it sounded like he was more upset about the fact that girls were overtaking him).

How do you guys convert a cager? Do you even try? How do you set expectations? And what kind of reactions have you seen from potential converts?

I have yet to convert one. I have tried everything from bragging of the health benefits, financial benefits, etc and I have even "called people out" thinking that challenging them to riding would work. Nothing works. I suppose just doing my best in riding to work everyday will set a good example and maybe someone will decide that, "Hey, I should give that a shot." My bike sits right in front of me so there is no missing when I rode.

I was a convert from caging (is that a correct verb form of "cager"?) in May. I was easy to convert because I was looking for a better way to get fit than the dreadmill at the gym and I saw the other benefits (gas $$, environmental, etc.). I was also an 80's all-weather bicyclist for my paper route, so I knew some of what I was getting into.

As far as me influencing other cagers... I think my weight loss and improved appearance is impressing some of those around me. One guy recently bought a new recumbent so he could bike even with a bad back. I think a couple of the guys who were already occasionally commuting by bike when weather was perfect are now doing more of it; I don't know if I had anything to do with it, but there is a strength in numbers phenomenon....

I think just by being a successful regular bicycle commuter you are pushing things a little in the right direction, leading by example.

+1

I don't actively try to convert people. Personally I dislike being preached to, so I'm not going to do it to somebody else.

If people ask why I do it, I'll tell them but I'm careful not to sugarcoat things. Sometimes the way people describe cycling in these forums makes it sound like a rolling orgasm that simultaneously reduces green house gases, makes us healthier, and cures bad breath.

To me a good way to start getting people to think about cycling as a legitimate option is to not refer to the folks that drive as "cagers". People drive for a reason. Maybe it's just because everyone else does it, but even so there are advantages to driving over biking in many cases. If you can't acknowledge that you're not going to convince many people that they should consider something different.

In other words, recognize that there are barriers to cycling. Whether it's sweating, time, effort, weather, safety concerns or whatever. You'll have to be able to alleviate those concerns.

If you call him a cager to his face, maybe he just thinks you're a dick.

I was aware of the reducing green house gases and making use healthier. I can't wait for the other 2 benefits to kick in!

Funniest thing I have read all day! Thank you!

Heh, I didn't actually mean disrespect by calling someone a cager - and I don't call them that to their face either. I read that term here on BF first, and it just seemed to describe someone driving a car. I didn't realized that it indicated disrespect. If not cager, what's a handy way to describe a car commuter? Carist?

I started using MapMyRide to post "Live Tracking" Facebooks posts. I don't divulge the whole route but the amount of interest this has sparked in my friends in commuting and general riding is MASSIVE. One has converted and many more are all on the path to purchasing bikes.

Most of them seem like the thought never crossed their mind. Then when they see my posts five+ times a week they start asking questions. Which I answer as welcoming as possible.

Also, I generally only refer to someone as a "Cager" when they are doing something potentially dangerous or oblivious. I myself am a "Motorist" when I drive

No truer words have been spoken...
Just ride your bike. I'm not aspiring to be a spokesperson, nor am I looking for converts. It's not a religion.
Although I would gladly accept donations.......

I do not even try to convert. They ask me how I lost so much weight. Or they ask me why I am in such a good mood all the time. Or they ask why I am so tan all the time. I tell the, I am a commuter.

Some ask the benefits from commuting. I tell them.

Some tell me they wish they could commute. I ask them what stops them. I say oh. And then I tell them that they can do it and overcome all of those obsticals.

I also tell them that if they need any help, just to ask me.

This is pretty much my approach as well. If anyone asks I answer. Succinctly. People appreciate brevity. And I never tell them about the orgasm...TMI.

I always figure that actions say more than words ever can.

People I know have seen me drop from 280-290 pounds and woefully unfit to more like 230 pounds and fitter than most of the people in my social circles.

If you live in a city sooner or later people will see for themselves that cycling is faster than driving, they'll see that it saves fuel and parking costs, they'll see benefits for themselves. Even if they are stuck in traffic and see cyclists buzzing past them, getting where they are going faster, they'll see real benefits.

I don't specifically try to convert people, although a few times people I know have expressed surprise when I've gone from the same point as them, to the same point as them, on my bike, and got there faster than they did in their car. At a stroke they know I'm not making up the numbers. But of course it takes effort to get to such a point and, until someone is willing to make the effort and accept that on day 1 cycling will be a slow, sweaty and tiring proposition, they aren't going to change.

Well said.

That usually improves the scenery some...

cager just means that motorists are stuck in a cage. Sometimes I feel sorry for motorists on a really nice day -- they are stuck in their cars and I'm out riding enjoying myself.

I just call them motorists.

Oh, and I probably got a little carried away with the rolling orgasm comment. We tend to be an enthusiastic bunch when it comes to bike commuting. It's easy to forget that riding even a few miles, especially in hot weather, can be an unpleasant experience if you're not accustomed to it.

Every Spring for the last few years I've gone on a 10 mile ride with a group of friends. Actually it's a 5 mile ride to a bar and then a 5 mile ride back. Most of them only do the occasional recreational ride with their kids or spouse. For some of them it may be the only ride they do all year. The guy who organizes the ride is a commuter like me.

Anyway it is astounding how much work that 5 miles is for some of these guys. They huff and puff up the smallest of hills. But it was like that for me too when I first started. So I think it's important to let people know that it may take awhile for their bodies to get accustomed to the distance and not to get discouraged if they're not going as fast as they'd like. It's not a race. It's just going to work.

I'm going to apologize in advance to any women reading this for the piggish aspects of what I'm about to write.

The one nice thing about the hot weather we've had this summer is all the sweaty cleavage I've noticed coming from the other direction. Especially on road bikes. Of course I don't know, but I've been kind of curious if bigger breasts are better for cooling or worse. It seems like they could be acting like radiator fins and the airflow past them helps. Or maybe not. Either way, they make my ride home more pleasant.

Again, I apologize. I try to just glance and not stare. I look at their faces too. Honest. A great smile beats cleavage any day... but cleavage is still nice.

I probably shouldn't have posted this 'cause now all the women are going to rethink their summer cycling apparel. Sorry guys.

So you would think Chap returned my bike today evening. Told my wife about his comment, and her first reaction was that he needs a woman boss to straighten him out.

Two words: free parking.

I think "summer clothing, wink-wink" might have summed that up better.

And this times 1000000:

Couldn't agree more.

I never actively try to convert, just advise people who ask. I hope that my example shows that is is easily do-able.
I would never advise a complete newbie to try a 2x6mile commute without preparation. This is bound to result in some pain and discomfort. They need to start off with short distances at the weekend, maybe 2-3 miles at first. You need to prime them for the fact that they will be slow and shaky and show (not tell) them some of the survival tricks of good roadcraft.
I am a firm believer in "normal cycling", not a an extreme sport or endurance event, just a pootle to work.

agreed!

That is weird, I actually enjoy it when girls pass me.

Not when they are laughing at you and high fiving.