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Original poster

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

115 replies

TheKitchenWitch · 06/10/2023 14:07

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?

OP posts:
Esgaroth · 09/10/2023 10:34

user1497207191 · 09/10/2023 10:27

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!

Depends what your object is - obviously it does negate some of the handiness and joy of utility cycling, although you could still do a park and ride approach for going into a town, which might have some benefits.

If you just want to enjoy yourself and get some exercise it's a fine way to do cycling. Loads of people drive places to go for a walk, don't they?

User174085934 · 09/10/2023 10:38

it is often something that young families have for family bike rides, anyone out of this age group is more likely not to have one unless you are like DH who has about 6 bikes. I would expect Mumsnetters to have a higher level of bike ownership than average

justcantgetenough · 09/10/2023 10:39

Think in UK most people don't own a bike, maybe lockdown people brought and now gaining dust.

I don't drive and brought a e-bike last year (live in hilly area) and it's changed my life, now bike a lot instead off getting the bus or walking. I love it, even in the rain.

But if you have a car can understand why you'd choose that too convenient and most folks would drive to a country park or bike friendly place so defeats the object.

Interested in this thread?

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Cycling
Jackienory · 09/10/2023 10:44

Too dangerous where I live and they get stolen.

Lottie4 · 09/10/2023 11:02

The three adults in this family all have a bike and I'd say about a third of the people we know have one, but in reality only half of those use them every week.

Confession time OP, we have a few hills nearby. I sometimes go for a bike ride and end up at garden centre cafe - it's on a steep hill and I always get off my bike and walk it - I know my limits!

If you don't enjoy it, I wouldn't worry about it. Doesn't sound like many events come up you'll need one for.

spookehtooth · 09/10/2023 11:05

user1497207191 · 09/10/2023 10:27

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!

Having to drive first to use a bike is unfortunate, but that's a systemic issue. I think everyone should have the choice, at least, to leave their house on foot or bicycle.

Encouraging your child to cycle is a good idea, regardless, it's good exercise that can be fun & hopefully they'll have more opportunities to do it than they do now in the future

user1497207191 · 09/10/2023 11:11

@spookehtooth

I think everyone should have the choice, at least, to leave their house on foot or bicycle.

How could that even be made possible, though? Everyone? I'd love the council to flatten the hills in our city, but it's pretty unlikely to happen. Likewise, just imagine the costs and disruption to build dedicated cycle paths parallel to A roads or straighten winding roads?

Sometimes, I think we just have to accept than not everyone can cycle, just as not everyone can use buses, and that for many, cars remain the only feasible option. That's not to say, we, as a country, shouldn't try to increase cycle use, but we have to be realistic and not punish those who can't cycle for whatever reason. Carrot, not stick!

Wallywobbles · 09/10/2023 11:27

We have 20 bikes. No one will ever see me on a bike.

spookehtooth · 09/10/2023 11:27

user1497207191 · 09/10/2023 11:11

@spookehtooth

I think everyone should have the choice, at least, to leave their house on foot or bicycle.

How could that even be made possible, though? Everyone? I'd love the council to flatten the hills in our city, but it's pretty unlikely to happen. Likewise, just imagine the costs and disruption to build dedicated cycle paths parallel to A roads or straighten winding roads?

Sometimes, I think we just have to accept than not everyone can cycle, just as not everyone can use buses, and that for many, cars remain the only feasible option. That's not to say, we, as a country, shouldn't try to increase cycle use, but we have to be realistic and not punish those who can't cycle for whatever reason. Carrot, not stick!

The choice doesn't mean doing it, or that everyone is up to it. It only means that there is a way.

There was a world where cars didn't exist. It caused a lot of disruption introducing them, and there was significant resistance. We're now in a world that has to use them less, because we're wreaking our environment. Failure has dire, unimaginable, consequences. I don't want to derail the thread by debating that, I'm just describing where I'm coming from

Catsmere · 09/10/2023 11:27

I don't own a bike, haven't for thirty years (and that was only for a few months) and don't know anyone who does. I live in a regional Australian city. I see plenty of cyclists around, but don't know any. That said, most of the people I know know are retirees who wouldn't be able to cycle, and who live where there's nowhere to store a bike even if they could.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/10/2023 13:13

I just sold mine as it had been squeezed in the shed for years and not used. I find cycling really uncomfortable. I don't enjoy it because of the pain. I'm clearly doing something wrong to find it so uncomfortable but not interested enough to find out what!

EyeEyeIIow · 09/10/2023 15:17

Wow.

Grateful I don’t work at your place if they consider themselves to be ‘inclusive’ 🤔

Degenerative spinal condition means I can’t get on it or move my legs in the required motion.

Thought this was the era of open-mindedness and acceptance…..

Original poster
TheKitchenWitch · 09/10/2023 19:04

@EyeEyeIIow It wasn't relevant to my question in the OP, but it was a specific bike-related event, and it was voluntary :)

OP posts:
Catsmere · 09/10/2023 21:30

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/10/2023 13:13

I just sold mine as it had been squeezed in the shed for years and not used. I find cycling really uncomfortable. I don't enjoy it because of the pain. I'm clearly doing something wrong to find it so uncomfortable but not interested enough to find out what!

That’s why I quit, too. I had to wear maternity pads because being on a bike seat, even a padded one, was too bloody painful.

I don’t miss it. I wouldn’t risk my life cycling around here and everything is too far for it to be practical anyway.

caringcarer · 09/10/2023 22:04

I don't have one and I definitely don't want one.

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