Is commuting to work less popular than its ever been.

[mjr]

Basically for me Covid killed off commuting as most of the commuters I knew were on carbon race race bikes only commuting for excercise and all were in jobs that could be done from home.

Statistics say that commuting generally still is below pre pandemic levels.

Around here, cycling still seems to be gradually increasing. On last night's counter-peak time ride (towards town when workers are heading home), I had to wait at most of the narrow parts for a gap in oncoming riders.

That said, a lot of them were e bikes. I think all were speed limited and pedalled, but I was told last night there has been another "stop and check" police crackdown at a choke point recently, so riders might have taken their cheat boxes off for a bit!

 

[derrick]

I think a lot to do with feeling safe on the roads, Driving standards have dropped.the state of the roads, more people zwifting this time of year,

 

[Dadam]

My perception from my commute is overall slightly down on pre-pandemic but not a lot.
Post pandemic, it's been fairly steady, with more in summer.
But, the last few weeks it seems to be up a bit since Christmas. Maybe it's the new year resolution effect. Either way, given it's winter I do still see quite a few, and not counting the deliver-who riders.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I've been commuting my route since 1998 with a few breaks when the kids were young.

I'd say there's been a slight increase over than time. Bike sheds outside our changing room near full the last couple of days, which is unusual in winter.

National stats seem to show similar, I think this is the latest but maybe there is more recent

https://www.gov.uk/government/stati...ngland-introduction-and-main-findings#cycling

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It's still popular here but it tends to be people going to low-paid warehouse jobs, of which we have a lot. And yes, lots of non-pedalled e-bikes.

I see a lot of people on bicycles or various kinds heading down to the local industrial estates - especially around clock on/off time
It is quite close to the counsel estates - and similar - so it is a cheap way of getting there I suppose

I'm not generally up at the right times to know if the volume on the road/cyclepaths has increased or not - but they are there

 

[Big John]

I commuted for 35 years until I retired in 2020. I live on a main route into Stafford and I see the occasional bike go past buy not many. I wouldn't fancy commuting now. Our road has changed configuration and merged with an orbital road which has quadrupled the amount of traffic. I still pop into town on my bike and I hate it. Maybe I'm just old and very wary of traffic these days. I still do long rides on my road bike but turn the opposite way, out of the built up area into the lanes. Even these seem busier than they used to be with all the delivery vans. Let's face it, if we prefer safety then as cyclists we've chosen the wrong hobby.

 

[markemark]

The number of bikes around in central London seems fairly constant but the rise of food delivery riders over the last 5 years I suspect the number of commuters has dropped quite a bit. There's also quite a lot of rental ebikes (Lime etc) being used.

The standard of riding though is now awful. As a cyclist and pedestrian, the danger being posed by bad cyclists has gone up quite a bit. The food delivery riders just go where and when they want. It is rubbing off on the other cyclists. The sad part is that the goodwill given by other drivers has gone down due to the piss-poor riding everywhere.

 

[Arjimlad]

I see very few cyclists on my usual commute in South Glos, more during the warmer months.

The council is building high-quality separated cycle lanes down a number of the main roads though in the next couple of years so I hope that there will be the uptake, given that it will make the roads safer for cycling. I'm talking protected separated LTN20-compliant lanes with priority over side roads/driveways etc linking the major conurbations, not shared pavements.

I'll be very pleased to see it.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I haven't noticed much of a change in Plymouth. Illegal electric vehicles are on the rise but conventional bicycles seem to be about the same as they always were

 

[mjr]

I think a lot to do with feeling safe on the roads, Driving standards have dropped.the state of the roads, more people zwifting this time of year,

Ironically, that could be contributing to the increase in cycleway traffic I'm seeing, as more riders seek to put kerbs and posts between themselves and incompetent drivers.

 

[fossyant]

A lot of commuters I know keep on breaking themselves.


I wish I still had a cycle commute but I wouldn't be doing it in January anymore. Skerewww that.

What, me you mean

 

[fossyant]

I still see lots commuting. What you may notice is there are less on a Monday or Friday due to increased WFH. Weather and time of year makes a big impact.

 

[Drago]

I think a lot to do with feeling safe on the roads, Driving standards have dropped.the state of the roads, more people zwifting this time of year,

I think it's down to bone idle laziness for the most part.

If people really want to do it then for the most part they'll just do it. Those that don't make excuses.