My Mates new Free cycling Mag

[raindog]

I thought this hit the nail on the head!
"So what’s the real cause of cycling’s image problem? I can’t help wondering whether it’s the very same thing that makes cycling so enjoyable. Maybe it’s the cyclist’s freedom that gets up people’s noses: an exhilarated grin that appears more like a smirk to people who are ‘stuck’ in a trundling metal box."

 

[Garjenkins]

Its definitely true, especially in London......I really cant work out why you'd want to drive in London anyway.

Imagine if they had a happiness reader on everyone whilst they travelled - to be honest I guess the cycling smile is smug!

 

[gavintc]

Its definitely true, especially in London......I really cant work out why you'd want to drive in London anyway.

Imagine if they had a happiness reader on everyone whilst they travelled - to be honest I guess the cycling smile is smug!

I believe your comment applies to most cities. Indeed, it has always completely confused me why people drive to work in a city centre. I can concede that some will have come from small towns a fair distance away. But, in almost every other case public transport or cycling wins hands down. I have colleagues who will happily sit on the M8 every morning struggling to pay their £8 a day parking fee - for what?

 

[Garjenkins]

I alwasy used to be frustrated about haveing to pay for my travel card (about £1500 a year) - then the trains being late, or bob crowe declaring a strike and being completely unable to do anythying about it. Now I can.

Also Londons Congestion charge is universally moaned about in London....

It just must be that cycling hasnt been considered an option by most people. I dunno - its frustrating.

 

[Arch]

It just must be that cycling hasnt been considered an option by most people. I dunno - its frustrating.

I used to work actively promoting cycling, and the main excuses people will trot out are, in no particular order:

It's too far (many people have come to think of a mile as a very long way)
It's too dangerous (only if you actually get hit - and you can do a lot for your own safety with training and good technique, and bad accidents, although noteworthy, are rare statistically)
It rains too much (it doesn't statistically, but people only tend to notice the negative. Anyway, get a waterproof coat)
I can't afford a bike (if you know what to look for, you can get something decent and second hand that'll do fine for under £100)
It's too hilly (learn to use your gears!)
There are no showers (you don't need them if you cycle at a sensible pace)
I have to wear a suit (so get some trouser clips)
I have to carry stuff (so, get a pannier).
My hair will get messed up (now, they really are scraping the barrel)

The one they won't come out with is probably something alone the lines of "I don't want to ride a bike because none of my friends do and they'll laugh at me", and I suspect that is the real motivation for many.

 

[Muddyfox]

yep. if you want http://www.seriouscyclingforums.com/forums/index.php

Looks ******

 

[tdr1nka]

yep. if you want http://www.seriouscyclingforums.com/forums/index.php

It's marginally better without all the porn spam too!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I used to work actively promoting cycling, and the main excuses people will trot out are, in no particular order:

It's too far (many people have come to think of a mile as a very long way)
It's too dangerous (only if you actually get hit - and you can do a lot for your own safety with training and good technique, and bad accidents, although noteworthy, are rare statistically)
It rains too much (it doesn't statistically, but people only tend to notice the negative. Anyway, get a waterproof coat)
I can't afford a bike (if you know what to look for, you can get something decent and second hand that'll do fine for under £100)
It's too hilly (learn to use your gears!)
There are no showers (you don't need them if you cycle at a sensible pace)
I have to wear a suit (so get some trouser clips)
I have to carry stuff (so, get a pannier).
My hair will get messed up (now, they really are scraping the barrel)

The one they won't come out with is probably something alone the lines of "I don't want to ride a bike because none of my friends do and they'll laugh at me", and I suspect that is the real motivation for many.

It's funny, though, how no one ever comes out with excuses not to drive: "there was no petrol in the car" "the windows were frosted up" and so forth. No, they just crack on and do something about those things.

 

[The Jogger]

Can you leave bob crowe out of it? I was looking forward to reading the mag but I think i'll give it a miss!

I alwasy used to be frustrated about haveing to pay for my travel card (about £1500 a year) - then the trains being late, or bob crowe declaring a strike and being completely unable to do anythying about it. Now I can.

 

[Garjenkins]

It has no political agenda - and neither do I ......my point was that I hated my total dependance on the public transport system.

 

[The Jogger]

I better have a look at it then...........

 

[Origamist]

I liked it.

 

[Chrisc]

I liked it.

Me too.