to think that commuting to work by bike is not that weird.

[mymoonandstars]

I ride to work. Its only 6 miles a day and I only do it if there is absolutely no chance of rain so about 3 or 4 times a week. I work in an office and its not a strenuous ride so yes, I am likely to be in a dress.

I get stares from about half of the people I pass, I get comments from about a quarter. Just boys at bus stops or large groups of girls (which I find ridiculous given that they are sitting stationary, waiting for a stuffy stinky bus that's going to take twice as long as my ride... anyway)

My colleagues are the same. "Got the bike today? Chuckle chuckle splurt splurt" or "Cycling tonight, you nutter?"

AIBU to think cycling is not really a hugely eccentric way to travel?

No, loads of people at my place do it, and I did it for years till I lost my nerve for cycling on the road.

I cycle to work a similar distance each day. Although I change into my work clothes when I get there. Maybe it's the dress that draws the looks / comments...?

Really what a bunch of weridos. Just flash them the v's. Although be quick otherwise you will be over the handle bars.

Its usually a non billowy dress and leggings, so its cycle worthy. I just feel like, Yeah. I'm on a bike. HAR BLOODY HAR.

Are you both in cities? I've found that some places are definitely more cycle friendly than others.

I cycle to work most days, about 5 miles each way.

I wear sports kit to cycle and shower and change at work - my ride is not long enough to get a real sweat but I like to feel completely fresh at work.

I don't get any funny looks on my journey.

Not that many people cycle to my work but they don't laugh at me for doing so either

I've cycled to work for a few years now and I love it. I find I get more comments because I'm female and, as we only account for about a quarter of cyclists, it's a bit more unusual than a man doing it.

There are quite a few people on bikes at my company (London based), and I've converted a few. When I point out my 10-mile journey is 40mins by bike or 1hr 40mins by three different buses people seem to get it.

That said, I'm 30+4 pg with DC2 so I'm now getting far more commentary on whether I 'should' be cycling...

You must live in a strange place.

Cycling to work is the norm round here, you get comments if you drive in, and have to justify it. All the offices and work places have cycle lock up areas, and there are plenty of cycle parks around town where you can safely lock up your bike too.

Ignore your ignorant colleagues and stupid passers by. You are the better one.

In London I see and know of plenty of people who cycle to work. I'd do it myself but I'm too scared of the traffic!

So YANBU!

Ooop north I used to get that when I walked to work. It took about 10 mins longer than the bus and I like walking.

In london I commute by bike and it seems very normal. Everyone's on a bike! Commuters range from flowery dresses to Lycra. Expensive road bikes to old called out Dutch bikes with flowers round the basket.

I live in a 'Cycling City', so that's all right then

I only have 20 min cycle each way, but I do get the comments from colleagues (esp when raining) about 'on the bike again'. Well yes, because I don't have a car and it's too far to walk...

That's understandable myusernameis. I worked up to roads via canal towpaths and cycle tracks (off-road shared with pedestrians). I started using roads after falling into the canal!

I am lucky in that my route now is going away from the centre so I miss the heavy traffic and there are good cycle lanes and nippy routes to avoid the busier roads.

When we lived in the UK my husband used to cycle 6 or so miles each way. Every day (or night) in all weathers. In snow he was usually faster to get home than those in cars.

I cycle to work 'oop' north and the only comments I get are from people who have damaged their retinas by looking directly at my jacket.

DH cycles to work every day. He works over 30 miles away. Now that's bloody weird.

I agree, Cyclebump, I do wonder if the comments on the street are because I am female rather than in a dress. I am the only one who rides in to the office so I think I must just be the odd one out.

Where we used to live there were a lot of cyclists and like you say, it was the norm. My journey is actually half of what it would be by public transport!

YANBU - lots of people cycle here in London, but I think outside of London, it's still kind of unusual to see people on bikes, and you do get some people who just have to comment on everything they see.

I did have to laugh when one of my colleagues incredulously asked me "Did you cycle? In this weather?" this week - it was warm, sunny and lovely out! I can understand if it was snowing, but I think some people just have a very narrow definition of where and when cycling's acceptable, and it's basically just in Center Parks, on holiday, and nowhere else.

I cycle in Lycra even now (thank God for bib shorts that go round the bump) and it's rare that I see more than one other woman in it on my commute. There are a few other women I see regularly in 'regular' clothes but we are far outweighed by the men.

It's odd as I have never had a man be sexist about it or ever been made to feel unwelcome at cycle groups or rides even if I've been one of very few women in an all-male crowd. I showed a male colleague how to repair a puncture a couple of days ago as he was new to cycling and he wasn't at all fazed by being shown by a woman.

Maybe it's just perceived as a man thing

Pretty normal here (Oxford). I think you must be quite sexee to get so much attention, enjoy!

Yanbu where I work a lot of people cycle to and from work, its a very busy area for traffic.
I have considered cycling myself but its 13miles each way and not sure how long it would take..
My bus ride takes 1hr n half..if it suits you then never mind others

Cyclebump, you sound like you are waaaaaay more in to this cycling thing than me and probably have a serious rider look. Maybe I just need to get faster so that I don't have time to even hear them!

*Tonights comment was a group of girls singing "I want to ride my bicycle". Heckling of the highest order...

Every black tie event DH and I have been to, we've cycled there!

Pretty normal in London too nowadays but so dangerous. Yes, it is healthier, often quicker, cheaper but my husband was nearly killed riding to work (not an exaggeration - air ambulance involved, etc.), one uni friend injured cycling in town and another uni colleague killed. Two work colleagues also injured - one broke both feet. The lorry didn't even stop. It's not fair but sadly that is how it is here.

Lycra is a necessity, mymoonandstars, I get hot easily and wear shorts up to November! Also we have showers at work.

I am pretty into it, I have a rather swanky touring bike called Rupert I started out small and fell in love with it all. That's why I totally get your confusion at people who would rather take an expensive, hot and crowded bus that takes as long or longer than a bike ride.

That's awful Sukebind

I've only had one very minor accident in six years cycling in London, but I look back at pre-DC times when I cycled regularly in zone 1 and shudder at some of the near misses.