Comments on: New to Commuting? Come As You Are!

By: Car Subwoofers

Car Subwoofers — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:51:27 +0000

I read some thing very much the same to your post at techcrunch… anyhow, I believe car audio is typically misunderstood but has a lot of great quality manufacturers too. -Regards, Shanice Hisman

By: barefoot

barefoot — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:49:22 +0000

That said… spot on with the “come as you are” advice.

For the commute distance that is conceivable for a non-enthusiast (a few miles at most), there’s no need for anything more than a bike… and not any special bike at that.

I do my 4 miles each way, every day, in my office clothes (with trouser clips). I ride in office clothes partly to advertise cycling as a “normal” thing that can be done by “normal” people, partly because I’m too lazy to change, and mostly because I can.

I ride year ’round (in winter I wear a rain jacket to keep the cold air out, gloves and a warm scull cap when it gets near freezing… as would anybody doing anything outside in those conditions), but for fair-weather commuting it really is a matter of just getting on the bike you already have, wearing the clothes you already wear.

If the bug bites, then more gear might make it more comfortable. That’s all.

By: barefoot

barefoot — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:44:33 +0000

Let’s not forget that the audience here is self-selecting; the discussion is between people who are reading a blog called “Bike Commuters”. Some are experienced, some are newbies, some are commute-curious… but all have taken that leap of mindset.

The main obstacle to getting people to commute by bike is that most people “aren’t the sort of person who would do that”.

People will justify their position with all manner of reasons. Safety. Facilities. Time. Equipment. Helmet-hair. Embarrassment. Fitness. In reality, if all these blockers were removed, they wouldn’t ride a bike, because they don’t, and don’t want to, fit their mental image of an adult who rides a bicycle.

That’s a difficult thing to challenge and change.

Part of the cure has to be normalising the use of bicycles as transport. Appearing to be a normal person who just happens to ride a bicycle… but not making a big deal out of it.

I have to admit that I struggle a bit with this, having still not really grown out of my attention-seeking rebellious late-teenage phase. Oops. I’ve been comfortable with being considered bit eccentric for about 20 years now. I know I don’t do the bike commuting “cause” any favours by being considered a bit unusual (and, coincidentally, one of those bike riding people). Many of us need to try to appear a bit more normal.

Another big part has to be the token one-off novelty event days. Ride to Work Day or similar. Some (but certainly not all) of the “not that sort of” people can get their head around being the sort of person who could ride a bicycle to work for a special occasion. If they enjoy the experience it may break the ice, and help them to consider whether they could be “that sort of person” who could be seen in public riding a bicycle. These are the normal people who we need, to dilute the perceived “other”-ness of the cycling community.

By: Scott Cramer

Scott Cramer — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:39:56 +0000

Here in Norfolk, VA, on my route, the three most consistent dedicated bike commuters ride a Magna full-suspension mtb, an old Raleigh hardtail with no rear brake and an ancient Roadmaster cruiser. They could drive if they wanted to, but instead they bike in on what they have and often put me to shame. I salute them.

By: burnhamish

burnhamish — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:12:30 +0000

At the very least, the bike you use should be in good condition, regardless of age. Rudimentary repair skills and basic tools are important for any commuter, because you may not encounter a helpful stranger who knows how to fix your problem.
I try not to give the impression to people who ask about my commute that they need to buy all the things I use in order to bike to work. The distance, terrain, and potential hazards I may encounter determine what I wear and carry with me (as well as my penchant for buying cool gadgets). My 90-minute commute in suburban Detroit is 19 miles (one-way) of street, shoulder, sidewalk, and a little rail-trail. The roads in my area are notoriously under-maintained, and for the most part, bicycle unfriendly (some of the people are like that, too, but I digress). Since I am pedaling such a distance, I prefer technical clothing, just from a heat and sweat management perspective. I decided many years ago that function follows form, and I don’t care if I look funny in padded lycra shorts. I have had the displeasure of flat tires, so I carry a spare tube and a myriad of small bike tools that fit in a saddle-mounted pouch, in case I feel the need to tweak something.
I use a “commuter” backpack with a hydration system, and alternately use that, a pannier, and a rack bag to haul my work clothes, lunch, and other stuff I may have to bring that day (like a laptop computer or DSLR+lenses). I prefer no pannier, but I have the options available to carry what I need to. I use a bottle-cage mounted iPod speaker to help pass the miles (and I strongly urge people not to use headphones).
After all this, I can only relate to people what I do and why, and that is because it’s simply what works for me. Do what works for you!

By: Jack Bulkley

Jack Bulkley — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:37:56 +0000

While I agree with the idea of everyone making their own decision about a helmet, I once heard this saying: “People who think their hairdo is more important than their brain might be right”.

By: Murali

Murali — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:14:14 +0000

Fantastic post. I have seen potential cyclists scared away by thinking they needed a gender-specific frame, bicycle-specific clothes, etc. Your message really needs spoken more loudly and by more of us.

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:54:39 +0000

The little exchange between GR and Doug — about spare tube, pump, etc. — got me to thinking.

When have you ever seen somebody drive off a lot in a brand new car that DIDN’T have at least a doughnut spare, a silly little scissors jack, and a lug nut wrench which requires a person to have the strength of Superman in order to use?

NO new car owner ever asks for instructions on how to use these devices. I can’t count the number of times I’ve helped a Damsel in Distress (including my dear wife) change a flat on their car. Car dealerships don’t give you instructions on how to do it, but they make a big deal out of showing you that your new ride is equipped for the eventuality.

Which leads to the BIG question. How come a little bag with a low line spare tube, some silly little plastic tire tools and an almost worthless frame pump isn’t standard equipment for every new bike an LBS sells? An LBS certainly wouldn’t emphasize that “You could have a flat!” any more than a car dealer would, but it certainly would give some credibility to bicycles as serious transportation if the LBS made sure their bicycles left their shops automatically prepared to be USED as serious transportation.

Otherwise, bike shop owners shouldn’t be surprised if the only bikes they seem to selling are ones which can only be used for local, recreational toy purposes.

By: Iron_Man

Iron_Man — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:36:56 +0000

My pleasure. I got a coworker that is just on the very edge of riding in. We’ll see this week if he gives it a try. He is coming from a zero fitness/zero cycling experience background. I’ll have to pick his brain for the experience. It’s been a long time since I was completely new to the concept of biking on busy streets.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:52:09 +0000

Iron_Man — remember that it was your comments on the other article that spurred me to write about this. I appreciate it!

You are absolutely right…the less mystery we present, the more likely folks are to actually try this thing. And yes, once people have tried it for themselves, they’ve got plenty of time (and further inclination) to seek out answers for their questions and concerns.

@Tad — don’t forget the most important one: have FUN. Folks have no idea what a blast riding a bike to work can be until they try it for themselves!