Is it unusual to be an adult and not have a bike?

[TheKitchenWitch]

It came up at a work thing recently, where we were asked to bring in our bicycles for an event, and I was the only one who doesn't have one.

We live on top of a hill, so there's nowhere I'd easily be able to cycle to (or rather, I could whizz down the hill but getting home again would be a bugger). But even when we lived in a village down in the valley, I would either walk to local places or drive to ones further away. And I've never been one for cycling for pleasure - it's just not something I'd ever do. Had a bike as a kid and then at some point in my teens outgrew it and that was that.
DH i s super fit and goes mountain biking, but that's different - he'll often drive to get to good biking trails, but he'd never just cycle around on roads.

Is that unusual? Do most adults really have (and use) bicycles?

@JustYouAndMeNow Denon I think, I'm not with it so can't check. I got it second hand and the name wasn't really important to me so it doesn't stick in my head

I don't have one. Didn't learn until I was a teen, have never been especially proficient (and live atop a massive hill) so I don't own one. I can ride one and occasionally hire one if we're on holiday and it's cycle paths / tracks / parks rather than in traffic.

No! Hardly any adults I know have a bike.

For all those saying their area's too hilly for bikes...I'm a fat cow in a hilly area and an ebike is a game changer. I love it. Admittedly I don't like cycling in the dark or poor weather but I commute 7 miles each way for 6 months of the year (mid March-mid October). I love it.

@spookehtooth
Dahon maybe?
Brands aren't particularly important to me either but obviously it helps to know what to avoid. Thanks though.

I didn't have a bike between the ages of 12 and 40. Now I have six. Ride them for fun and fitness so on quiet roads (although they're few and far between these days) and on the turbo.

Sorry yes, I should have said I'm in Germany in the OP!

I can't see (even ignoring the fact I wouldn't be able to get back up the hill lol) how it would be at all practical - I often run errands before and after work, so I've got stuff with me in the car or I'm picking things up or dropping them off. And no good on the days I pick up DS1 or DS2 from school either. And I don't get what you do in bad weather - how do you still look presentable at work if you've cycled in?

I suppose though that none of that would seem a problem if I wanted to ride a bike, I guess I'd change the way the I do things.

I don't get what you do in bad weather - how do you still look presentable at work if you've cycled in?

This is why an office with good cycling facilities is essential. I get up and chuck gym kit straight on - I don't shower until I get to the office. I have a locker at the office where I keep towel, shampoo, hairbrush, etc. and I carry my work clothes in a commuter backpack.

I tried cycling at an old office that had one shower in a decrepit corner of the basement and didn't find it sustainable for just that reason.

No. I live in the suburbs of a major city and frankly quite a lot is cyclable yet I know very few other adults that have a bike. I have one however and love it.

Let me think...
My neighbours don't. My family don't. My best friend doesn't. In fact I think I know just one person with a bike, and he's male. Don't know any females (though a few do spinning 😄)!

Yes, that's the brand. I'm happy with my bike

I don't have one. Haven't since my teenage years and wouldn't want one. DH has an ebike which he loves.

I don’t and don’t want one

I dont have one. Nor do most of my neighbours or friends.

I don't own a bike. Like Terry Pratchett's Agnes Nitt, I fear I overhang too much!

I don't have a bike. I never had one and can't ride a bike. I was offered one as a child, but said "no" as I preferred to spend my spare time reading books 😂

We do go on family bike rides, but I have lots if friends who do not. I have one friend who cannot ride a bike. I did think that was unusual though when she told me.

Wow, that is terrible! I am in Scotland, it is not at all the same. It is common to see mothers out with children in seats or carriages, or cycling alongside and women of all ages out and about on bikes (weather permitting!!)

I have a bike.
It was second-hand when I bought it as a student nearly 30 years ago now.

I last rode it 20 years ago-it still has dd's bike seat on.
It only had three gears and one never worked, and definitely won't be roadworthy now.

Anyone want a vintage bike?

I don't, and never had a bike of my own, but when younger I could cycle around on a friends bike. We were poorer you see. I'd be scared to cycle anywhere now TBH. Plus I can't balance properly and wobble all over the place. I'll walk. I would consider a three wheeler or one of those fancy bikes with a two wheel carrier at the back, but nah.... I'd still be scared of the big fat cars and dogs running out of driveways, and hitting a pothole and breaking my teeth.

I'll walk.

I have a lovely Dutch bike, which I rode all the time when I lived in York (flat, very much geared up for cycling). Since I moved to hilly Lancashire seven years ago it's been sat in the shed. I really should sell it and buy something suitable for off road tracks, which are the only place I'd feel safe cycling round here.

I don't miss much about living in York, but I do miss cycling!

Some people I work with cycle. Not many of my neighbours do. I had a long period of not cycling due to hilly bendy roads where I would be holding traffic up too much. Now have an e bike and use it every day. Really enjoy it.

God no.

Due to the hills and fast roads without pavements where we live, we've never been able to cycle from our house. When DS was little, we bought a bike carrier so we could drive a few miles to flatter areas with cycle tracks, but I suppose having to drive to get to suitable places defeats the object of cycling!

I dobt think it's unusual. I think it depends on where you live and your lifestyle. Pre DC I would cycle to work a couple if times a week (in good weather!)

Now, dc have their own bikes and we go for bike rides together