Resolutionists?
 

I started commuting in November, when temps were already in the low-to-mid thirties during the ride in. For the two months from early November through Christmas, I saw maybe 3-4 cyclists on my commute. This week alone, I saw around seven. My wife thinks I'm seeing an influx of people who are commuting for a New Year's resolution. I'm skeptical, and think it is just a giant coincidence. Is anyone else seeing a larger than usual number of commuters?

here there's more bike commuters this week then last few but not because of resolutions. Even car traffic was much lighter in the previous few weeks then this week. It's because the holidays are over and everybody is back at their work routine.

It also is a resolution thing. The LBS near my office was out of the more common sizes because of the christmas and new year sales. Also saw a guy buying a $3000 full carbon bike to get back into cycling - my LBS owner was telling him how carbon was the best option for him. Heh - I like that LBS, but if you don't have a clear idea of what you need they really sell you the moon. This guy had bought a bike, pedals, shoes, pump and I could still see a predatory look in the LBS guy's eyes :D

For a variety of reasons many of us are seeing more bike commuters.

LOL! My MO was to find out what the customer really needs and guide them to an appropriate range of options. But there have been some people with huge wallets to match their egos and expectations who had the mindset that 'more money=greater cycling bliss' so I sold them the holy grail, cream of the crop bikes and accessories that would eventually collect dust in their garages. If an amazingly brilliant customer has researched, via the 'internets', and found what they really need (want, in order to impress) then I was more than happy to fullfill their wildest dreams of possession.

I am. And I attribute to New Years resolutions. Both the bike rack at work and on the commute in the morning I am seeing a LOT more people out there. I work night shift so I see them all on their way in through one of the only practical routes across the Ship Canal as I am going home. I worked New Years eve and there was no one out that morning (holiday/hung over), but over the next few days I was surprised at how many people were commuting in to work. The cage in the parking garage went from two or three of us most days to nearly 10 the first week of the new year. It's still at about half a dozen folks, I'm curious to see how long they last. Most of them will show up a few days a week from May through September, but our ranks thin dramatically in the dark, cold, and wet.

I noticed more people riding lately. It could be revolutionists, or it might just be the warm weather. Almost 60F today when the normal high is more like 32F.

Interesting observation. Around here I have not noticed more commuters as a resolution thing, but there are more complaints at work from the "health club" camp. Word is they usually weed out aroung mid March.

I recently started commuting, it just happened to coincide with new years. Id been planning it for a while than I forgot about it than just thought I needed to fully commit to it so I went and bought some reflective gear etc. On the first Monday back there was hardly any traffic/cyclists. As the week went on things became progressively busier (I observe a similar trend on trains also, always least busy on Monday).

I think in the UK there will be more cyclists than ever this year, whether its new years resolutions or not. After the summer of olympics we had and all the cycling success, I think there will be a significant boost in the number of cyclists on London roads (and the UK in general I suspect). Also hopefully more cycling awareness from other road users I hope!

It sounds like starting a "commuting" resolution on January is doomed to fail. They ought to pick March/April to start.

I have noticed many more lately (maybe 5 as opposed to 1 or 2) and was wondering why myself. Maybe they got a new bike for Christmas. Maybe the weather is awesome and we have a few more minutes before it gets dark (as compared with late December's short daylight hours). And it's quite possible that they wish to do things differently in the new year.

I rarely ever see other bike commuters around here, particularly in winter. In summer months, there are 3-4 other regular bike commuters in my building, but I've been the only one since about October.

However, when I used to belong to the YMCA, there used to always be a huge influx of people working out in January -- which I always attributed to the "resolution effect" and people trying to work off their holiday poundage. By mid-February, things would usually get back to normal.

I think there's also a mindset that you can buy your way to your goals. People want to get fit so they buy membership to a gym or a lot of expensive exercise equipment.

Happily, unlike people who have to deal with the health club surge, more riders actually benefits us, and there's room for everyone!

more bikes on the street means less cars, more driver awareness, and we're not the newbies making strange mistakes and confusing drivers for a few weeks!