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Original poster

Why don't more people cycle?

108 replies

PhoebeMcPeePee · 10/01/2015 15:48

I am amazed more people haven't found cycling as a form of exercise. It is a total revelation for me - 4/5 months ago I could barely get to the local shops & am now comfortably cycling 20+miles and LOVING IT! I've never really enjoyed exercise or found a sport I was any good at (used to force myself into the gym or to classes to keep trim) but I actually look forward to going on my rides. Oh and my legs have never been firmer which is always a bonus Grin

Is it because, like me, people assume they just can't ride, or fear of traffic etc?

OP posts:
Lovewhereilive · 10/01/2015 15:53

I love cycling too! But not when it's really cold. Am a fair weather cyclist Smile

DamselNotInHerDress · 10/01/2015 16:42

I don't feel confident to cycle on the extremely busy roads where I live. Lots of people do though, however there have been a high level of cyclist fatalities which doesn't help my confidence.
But I do 3 spinning classes a week and use the bikes in the gym on the other days as it's brilliant exercise and better for my dodgy old knees than running. It's not the same being outside but its good enough for me.

EauRouge · 10/01/2015 16:44

I would guess fear of traffic is a big one. I live in a rural areas and at weekends there are loads of cyclists on the minor roads. I've seen motorists do some very stupid and dangerous things to get past them.

avocadotoast · 10/01/2015 16:46

Because it's terrifying and drivers are arseholes. DH cycles sometimes and someone nearly went into him the other day because they ran a red light coming off a motorway slip road.

Forget that. I'd rather walk.

eckythumpenallthat · 10/01/2015 16:46

I love cycling.
But.
Can't afford a bike and I have no where to store one if I did come into some money

HollyBdenum · 10/01/2015 16:47

I'm scared of traffic. I don't drive, so cycling would be great just to be able to get places, let alone for the exercise, but I only cycle where I can go on off road cycle paths or really quiet streets.

EBearhug · 10/01/2015 16:49

I lost my nerve - I used to cycle everywhere, it was my main form of transport. For various reasons, I couldn't cycle for a few months, and when I got back to it, I just felt totally freaked out by all the traffic, and I've never got back to it.

dementedma · 10/01/2015 16:50

Because its boring, dangerous in traffic and sore on the arse.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 10/01/2015 16:51

I love cycling, but as PPs have said, the traffic puts me off

Where I live (large town) is out on a limb, and while we've recently had some lovely new roads built over the past few years, no one has thought of putting a cycle path next to them, unlike the road linking the next town along to their neighboroughing town Angry

Sirzy · 10/01/2015 16:51

It's the cost of a decent bike which is putting me off.

But I think like running cycling is becoming more and more popular

Lifesalemon · 10/01/2015 16:53

For me its lack of time. I drive because its quicker. I can go to work, do a supermarket shop on the way, leaving me time to do housework when I get home. If I cycled to work and back I wouldn't have the time (or the energy) for anything else.

knackeredknees44 · 10/01/2015 16:55

No matter how much I try to enjoy cycling I can never get used to hills! I try to reassure myself going downhill will make it all worthwhile but hills ruin a bike ride!

Panzee · 10/01/2015 16:56

I don't like it.

meglet · 10/01/2015 16:57

I'd have to get changed and cooled down at work, no showers. TBH it would take just as long to cycle, lock up and get changed as it does to walk.

We have quiet parks to cycle through though so at least I wouldn't have to deal with traffic. I wouldn't cycle on the road full stop

youllshootyoureyeout · 10/01/2015 17:00

I would love to cycle, but cannot afford a bike. It's actually been recommended as a good exercise for my specific back problem. Wish I had more money. :(

avocadotoast · 10/01/2015 17:02

knackered I'm the opposite, I'd be terrified of going down hills. I've never tried it as an adult but as a child I was always really scared!

VeryPunny · 10/01/2015 17:05

I agree OP! When I don't have small children I do audax and cycle to work. Gets my Goat that I always see hoardes of male cyclists out of a weekend, but so few women in comparison.

knackeredknees44 · 10/01/2015 17:07

Avocadotoast, I understand that fear too - I made the mistake of only using my back brake when going down a gravelly hill and skidded off. I don"t think I will ever enjoy cycling. I do admire people who cycle to commute but surely they need shower facilities and somewhere to store clothing, must take alot of organisation.

FlowerFairy2014 · 10/01/2015 17:08

I like it too BUT we live at the top of a very very steep hill. Even fit 210 somethings tend to push up it so that's a bit off putting actually when coming back.
Secondly last night in London I saw a car go into a cyclist who could not move - his leg was obviously very hurt. It was awful.
Thirdly I have never cycled whether in my teens or at my age without on about 1 in 3 journeys men stopping or shouting at me. You would have thought they might have stopped it by my age.
Fourthly I tend to go places with loads of stuff - brief case absolutely full to bursting with papers, so much shopping even the basket on the bike is full etc etc.

sharklion · 10/01/2015 17:11

I get free bus/tube travel so I wouldn't save any money by cycling. I don't like being out in the cold/rain either, and there have been a high number of fatal/serious accidents involving cyclists where I commute (have seen the aftermath of some of them...it's not pretty). I like being able to put my heavy bag down on the bus, sit down on a comfy dry seat and read the day's news/gossip on my phone on the way home.

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 10/01/2015 17:15

Because bikes are expensive. Because I have no garage/shed/garden and would have to keep my bike in my living room.

Ragwort · 10/01/2015 17:25

I love cycling - but only on flat, traffic free roads, and in nice weather.

(I've never really worked out about changing gears either, and I'm in my late 50s Grin).

SunshineAndShadows · 10/01/2015 17:34

for those worried about the cost of cycling, lots of employers are part of cycle to work schemes - its worth looking into www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

DamselNotInHerDress · 10/01/2015 17:37

FlowerFairy, I'd love to see some of these 210 year old fitties Grin

BiscuitsAreMyDownfall · 10/01/2015 17:45

Hurts my bum to sit on a bike for too long, although Im sure that would go away with time?

Cost and nowhere to put one.

Have thought about one in my previous employment to get to/from work, but changed job to one that is 20 mins down a motorway so not possible now. Though looking for a new job closer to home possibly so maybe in the future if I can think of where to put one.