to think cycling is the best mode of transport ever

[orangeshoebox]

for distances up to 5 miles?
so energy efficient. and just so pleasant compared to being stuck on a bus.
and cheap - no parking fees, no mandatory insurance, no fuel...

I picked my 11 year old son up from school on my bike last week. He had his and we cycled the 5 miles home.
I only had to shout at 2 drivers for being dangerous...
I wish it was safer for cyclists.

Yeah, especially if you have a comfy ladies bike with a ladies saddle for a ladies bottom :-) and low risk of theft.

I wish it was a lot safer in uk too. driving is much too cheap imo.

I love that cycling is so energy efficient.
www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/humanpower1.html

I have a very comfy saddle
and secure and free bike parking at the train station.

I’m put off my the hills in the city we live in. It would take me a long time to build up the stamina to cycle to work and I’d be a sweaty mess when I got there. If I lived in the Netherlands I would as it is flat. Don’t even need gears. I love how uncomplicated it is there. No fancy Lycra outfits and special kit. Just jump on your bike in heels, skirts, holding an umbrella, whatever.

I'm scared of cycling in the UK so I got myself a scooter. I can happily scoot on the pavement and not be intimidated by cars or cyclists. (I enjoy cycling on scenic cycle paths though.)

You are absolutely right.

@gidgetgirl

I love old bikes, especially Raleighs. Ive got a 1970s 20" wheel folding Raleigh. It's like a forunner of the Brompton.

Thanks to lots of people in my area using their bikes who also drive/live with a motorist it is actually reasonably safe to cycle in my part of London.

Though whether it is a good idea for 5 miles depends which direction you are going in.

Oh and I do get the a-holes behind me who tail gate when I drive and I decide it's unsafe to pass a cyclist.

I would say yes as I currently cycle about 20 mins to work most days. But DS is about to change schools, it's just over 3 miles but with a 300 foot climb and I'm pretty sure I can't do it, let alone DS who is 7 and has pretty poor motor skills. Then 3 very similar miles to work, and repeat in the evening. And it's a village school so no guarantee the roads will always be gritted.

Lots of bike thefts here, some taken by force...kids are now stopping cycling to school in droves. It makes me so sad and cross

I wish the UK had bike lines everywhere and safer roads! The short time I spent cycling I felt on edge half the time, and cycling on the road was horrendous!

@CombineBananaFister you don't live in York do you? I've seen a lad on a tandem with his dad and it looked fun.

We do all of our short journeys on bike. DH and I both cycle to work; DS either in trailer with me or on seat with DH. York s really well set up for cyclists, and my commute on the bike is 20 mins on a traffic free cycle path (shared) rather than 20 mins in traffic on York's inner ring road which is hell.

that's sad calm
I hope that the zero carbon will have an effect on cycling/roads.

Cycling is a joy, even more so without my helmet!

Yes I do that may have been DH and DS on it but he's not too confident so it's usually me

Cool! I'll say hello next time I see you!