Comment by d1zzy | Hacker News Reader

Comment by d1zzy | Hacker News Reader

I don't know about others but the reasons why I bike to work have nothing to do with reducing carbon or being green or being healthy, it's simply that I find it a lot more fun to get to work by bike than drive. It actually takes 20 more minutes by bike (and that's without including the immediate shower and changing clothes afterwards) but I can get a nice workout, feel refreshed and full of energy and it feels nice to be fit (ex. taking stairs at work I don't gasp for air like my coworkers).

I don't think people will start biking unless they like the activity but lots of people simply like to drive. The problem is that even those that like to ride (or would like) aren't being encouraged to do so. I'd rather focus on improving the biking infrastructure (make separated lanes, over and/or underpass bridges for big intersections, better public transit that allows to carry bikes on board) and improve the tax situation so I don't have to pay for car-only infrastructure even if I don't use it (car-only infrastructure costs such as building and maintaining freeways is mostly payed out of property taxes, not gas taxes). That way more people will feel safer to ride, feel like they are saving money while doing it and maybe even discover that they like it.

I know a lot of people who would probably bike to work if there was a pleasant bike path between their residence and their work... but that's not a reality.

Street cycling - even with bike lanes - can be terrifying, especially for those without experience. In the urban environment cars, trucks, other bicyclists, pedestrians... all operate in a very unpredictable way that frequently forces you to make snap decisions that impact your safety directly. It's chaos, and it's very intimidating.

Even if the weather cooperates and the distance is reasonable. If it is dark and raining it feels miserable and dangerous.

I totally agree that when I can bicycle to work, I arrive in a much better mood, assuming I didn't almost get killed or miss my transit connection. Commuting by motor vehicle (in my case, mostly motorcycle) builds frustration and stress. But the bicycle takes 45 minutes more each way, and the return commute - which is almost all uphill and in the dark - is just impractical in the winter.

I'd advocate we give up on the "huge suburban campus" model of offices that assumes everyone will arrive by motor vehicle that takes the freeway, and build more offices near residences, but I don't know if that kind of thing will ever happen.

You might consider an electric bike, both for reducing the time and making the uphill return less onerous.

Probably helps with feeling safe in traffic too, since you can keep up with the pace better when necessary and maintain that speed with less effort, leaving more energy and focus for looking out for other road users trying to kill you.

Same. I'm working from home atm but when I worked from an office I would use the commute for pleasure and exercise. Instead of walk & train for an hour each way I biked for 40 mins each way. Actually saves me time irregardless of commute time as if I didn't do that I would have to fit in exercise another way.

I wish I worked where I could shower and change there.

Worth looking into nearby gyms that may have shower & locker-only memberships for cyclists.

Shower immediately before you leave to knock the sweat eating stink causing bacteria load down, change and wipe your pits when you get to work, and wear natural fabrics like cotton. If you do this, you should be good for 6-8 hours, which is longer than some of your car driving co-workers who aren't as careful.

My reasons were many (in no particular order):

much cheaper

healthier (building muscle, cardio)

less stressful

more fun

greener for the planet in terms of carbon

greener for the city in terms of poisonous gasses

less likely to kill a child on my way to work

save time by combining excercise with commute

avoid parking hassles

and, by sheer chance, the route from my home to work passed along several parks and riverside paths and pedestrian bridges that made it easy to travel long distances with only occaisional traffic worries.

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