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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get why anyone would want to cycle on roads?

98 replies

superstarheartbreaker · 24/04/2014 23:14

It's so dangerous. I find it even weirder when people take their kids on bikes on the road.
Tbh I don't really get the cycling thing full stop. Ok I know it's great exercise better for the environment etc which I am all for but I have been mountain biking and it is a pita when you get to a style and have to lug the whole damn thing over it.
I feel like I am missing out though when I see families go off cycling together. I'm thinking maybe I should get a bike and go on a path with dd as she loves it. As I have no garage I have no idea where to store the thing! Am I missing out? Really?!

OP posts:
PollyIndia · 25/04/2014 06:40

I also love cycling. I could have a car if I wanted, but I prefer using my bike, walking or public transport, which is great in my bit of London.
I also use a payg car scheme if I do need a car.
18 month old DS also love the bike - it's a great way to get around. I also find it weird that you don't understand why people cycle on roads! It's pretty obvious - either to get from A to B, or for exercise, or just for the sheer joy of it!

Minifingers · 25/04/2014 06:46

I cycle because

  • it's fun
  • it makes me thinner
  • it saves me money
  • it's often quicker than driving

Don't cycle on the pavement because it dangerous and illegal

rivierliedje · 25/04/2014 06:51

Roads aren't just for cars. And cycling is not inherently more dangerous than driving (it's actually safer). I wouldn't cycle on the road if there were a proper bike path of some sort. But I cycle purely for getting places usually, so I don't race, I wear my work clothes, I actually really enjoy it. It's a pleasant morning ride, not sitting in traffic or hoping the bus isn't delayed.

I used to hate cycling, but I've discovered that that's because I used to have a small men's frame, mixed use city-mountain bike type bike. And now I have an old upright, women's bike. It is so much more comfortable (it's actually the right size and the saddle is the proper shape) and now I love cycling slowly to get everywhere.

merrymouse · 25/04/2014 06:54
  1. cycling on pavement generally not legal.
  2. to get from a to b you generally have to go on a road.

Equally sometimes pedestrians have to cross roads or walk on a road with no pavement.

VivaLeBeaver · 25/04/2014 06:57

I enjoy it.
Its good exercise.
I don't feel scared by the traffic at all. I'm confident on a bike and use sensible, positive road positioning to lessen the chances of someone hitting me.

drxerox · 25/04/2014 06:57

We've out of the (hilly) countryside into Gloucester (flat) and, after not using my byke for years, I cycle everywhere in town. I have to keep an eye open for pot holes, but am really enjoying it, its actually a lot easier than driving a car around, finding parking etc.
Also, quite a lot of people cycle in Gloucester, and there isn't too much traffic. I don't think Bristol will be as good, when we get there.

drxerox · 25/04/2014 06:58

We've out of the (hilly) countryside into Gloucester (flat) and, after not using my byke for years, I cycle everywhere in town. I have to keep an eye open for pot holes, but am really enjoying it, its actually a lot easier than driving a car around, finding parking etc.
Also, quite a lot of people cycle in Gloucester, and there isn't too much traffic. I don't think Bristol will be as good, when we get there.

UtterFool · 25/04/2014 06:59

I cycle because it's the best thing ever on a sunny Sunday morning. You get to ride out into the countryside, get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life and pass places you don't get to see if you're in the car.

Plus it's a sense of achievement when you can go out and cover 50+ miles on two wheels lol.

But I agree, I've sadly known a few people who've been killed whilst out riding and left wives/kids.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 25/04/2014 07:06

Cycling is great. Good exercise, cheap. Cycling on roads is just about experience and confidence.

Off road is even better. If you are coming across stiles though, you may be on footpaths not bridleways. Bikes are only allowed on bridle ways, same as horses and certainly where I am, there aren't any stiles on bridleways.

rabbitrisen · 25/04/2014 07:21

I think it depends a lot where you live. Cycle round here, yes.
Inner London, no way.

Cant answer about storage if you dont have a garage.

aquashiv · 25/04/2014 07:34

It gets me here far quicker than the car

wonderingsoul · 25/04/2014 07:35

i guess youv never been knocked down by some edgit who couldnt be bothered to cycle on the the cycle path .

my ds whos 5 go knocked over badly just from walking out my mums gate---numorouse bumbs to the head, a split lip and bit of a black eye.

it could have been alot worse, he ended up underneath the wheels and the guy! had it been an older person they could have killed them.

thankfully the guy was "nice" and gave his real name and adress so when the police went round he was given a £50 fine, had he been dick about it i would have taken him to court like the police had wanted me to, he could have been charged with dangourous driving/riding as he was going that bloody fast he had no time to stop.

thats right you can b e fined £50 if you dont cycle on a correct path or road , they need to be tougher on handing them out tbh

i ihave no problem with children cycling on the pavment, but if your an adult get on the frigging road.

rant over!

2rebecca · 25/04/2014 07:36

I cycle alot and generally prefer roads. Cycle paths are full of obstacles/ parked cars/ unfettered dogs/ walkers. Fine if you want to pootle, hopeless if you actually want to get somewhere.
If we had well maintained cyclist only cycle paths where I want to go like Holland I'd use them.

2rebecca · 25/04/2014 07:39

We store our bikes in a shed, except for the ones that live in the house!

ithaka · 25/04/2014 07:51

I am another who just doesn't 'get' cycling. I am very outdoorsy, love hill walking & horseriding, but cycling leaves me cold.

Occasionally, for a major walk it makes sense to cycle in if the track is good to save time before tackling the munro. I never enjoy the cycle part, so I have tried, cycling in beautiful parts of the world but I can't look at them because I have to concentrate on staying on the stupid bike.

Where I live cycling is a massive hobby sport, both road and off road, mainly adopted by white middle class men who spend a fortunate on the kit and are endlessly accommodated by the council creating cycling paths at the expense of walkers and horse riders. They just seem self absorbed and I think it is a sport that encourages self absorption - it is all head down, not taking in the world around you.

subtleplansarehereagain · 25/04/2014 07:55

" it is all head down, not taking in the world around you."

I actually changed the handlebars on my bike so I could look ahead, not down.

VivaLeBeaver · 25/04/2014 08:00

This is my main bike. So not head down at all. Grin

To not get why anyone would want to cycle on roads?
Badgerlady · 25/04/2014 08:00

Where else am I supposed to cycle?

I commute to work by bike (SE London to the City - about 6 miles) all on roads. There are limited sections of cycle paths which are usually unusable due to potholes, glass, parked cars, taxis using them as a drop off/pick up point, etc. etc.

PedantMarina · 25/04/2014 08:16

YY to the freedom. I've been cycling for part of my commute (London) for a few years now, and the difference between my "cycling mood" and when I had to rely on the damned buses cannot be measured with conventional instruments.

It's gotten safer, too, I think. Yes, we keep hearing about cyclists getting killed, but I see more cyclists on the road than there were a few years ago, fewer of them (per capita) jump lights and do stupid stuff, more drivers seem aware. I honestly feel safer cycling in London than out where I live.

Even some of the pedestrians are getting clued in. Mind, on the last tube strike it was easy to spot who wasn't used to sharing the streets with others - the number of people who would step out onto the street without even looking (frequently wearing headphones)!

Oh, and to that little Clarkson wannabee back there, yes I can afford to run a car. What a stupid snobby thing to say.

ithaka · 25/04/2014 08:32

I can understand cycling to commute as it is cheap, healthy and convenient. Like I say, I will cycle a section of good path to save time - it is a means to an end. It is the lycra clad hordes who hobby cycle that have me scratching my head. Head, down, bum up (obviously not Viva Wink) - where is the fun in that?

Iamnotachewtoy · 25/04/2014 09:19

YoureBeingASillyBilly - I cycle in NI and generally the traffic is at a standstill while I cycle along beside it. I can use bus lanes on my way to work and it takes me about 20 mins cycling at an easy pace. It can take up to 50 in a bus or car on bad days.

IckleBird · 25/04/2014 10:08

Cycling can be quicker than public transport and doesn't cost and pays for itself.no brainer.
The roads have potential dangers to everyone that uses them and only because people don't always use them correctly.
I recently considered getting a bike to cycle to work but it's 12 miles there and uphill back and I have been told i won't be able to do 5 days a week.:-/ I was quite looking forward to saving the bus fare tbh and it would take the same amount of time to get there 1 1/2hr cycling as it would by bus.

Fakebook · 25/04/2014 10:11

Yanbu. Also, a new thing that's started what with the weather changing: parents with those little cuccoon things at the back of their bikes pulling 2 small children along on the road. That is so dangerous. Why the hell would you put your children in the back like that? Why don't cyclists THINK?

PecanNut · 25/04/2014 10:18

Cycling is better for the environment, cheaper and healthier than using a car.
It is faster than walking.
Maybe those are the reasons why people cycle on the roads?

I think it should be encouraged and made much safer, because our road system (in Britain) makes it far too dangerous for many would-be cyclists to risk.

This pushes them onto the pavements, which is not only illegal but dangerous for pedestrians. Grrr at the selfish bloke who nearly rode into my toddler on the pavement the other day.

haggisaggis · 25/04/2014 10:19

Viva - how do you find pedalling a recumbent trike uphill? I really struggle with a 2 wheeler and dh is keen to get me out on the bike with him but my dc both have recumbent trikes that are continually in the garage as so difficult to pedal uphill (I've tried on theirs and it's tough!!)