Commuting v cars - is it really worth it?
Discussion
It's more socially acceptable to arrive all sweaty in lycra, having just stepped off a bicycle, than it is to arrive all sweaty in business dress, having just stepped off a train. And I sweat like a 1970s TV personality receiving an unexpected early-morning knock on the door. This, alone, makes cycle commuting worthwhile for me.
You might want to make a cup of tea for this:
My journey involves cars, trains and bikes so I get the best and worst of all journeys.
I live about 30 miles outside of London and one of my duties is to drop my daughter off at the child minder's in the car.
Unfortunately, because of where we live this is not a journey that's doable with my daughter on a bike, so that rules that out.
I have a folding bike that goes in the back of the car. I drop my daughter off, find somewhere near the train station to park (for free) and then cycle to station (about 1 mile).
I then get on the train and, depending on whcih one I catch, either cycle to work from Wembley, or from Marylebone. From Wembley it's about 8 miles. From Marylebone, 2.5. Whenever I can, I cycle from Wembley, but it's a later train and if I'm busy at work, I can't justify it, as it does mean I'm about 10 minutes late.
If I get the early train, then I do a couple of laps of Hyde Park to get the distance up to about 8.5 miles. If I get the later train, I only have time for the 2.5 mile commute.
Cost aside, there's no way I could drive to work, we have an underground car park and I have a space for my bike, but not for a car.
Even if I could, it would take longer, and because of the convuluted journey that I have, I'm away from the house for at least 12 hours on a good day. Which means fitting in any type of exercise on top of that, is hard work.
I'm fat enough as it is. I'd be enormous if I din't cycle.
My journey involves cars, trains and bikes so I get the best and worst of all journeys.
I live about 30 miles outside of London and one of my duties is to drop my daughter off at the child minder's in the car.
Unfortunately, because of where we live this is not a journey that's doable with my daughter on a bike, so that rules that out.
I have a folding bike that goes in the back of the car. I drop my daughter off, find somewhere near the train station to park (for free) and then cycle to station (about 1 mile).
I then get on the train and, depending on whcih one I catch, either cycle to work from Wembley, or from Marylebone. From Wembley it's about 8 miles. From Marylebone, 2.5. Whenever I can, I cycle from Wembley, but it's a later train and if I'm busy at work, I can't justify it, as it does mean I'm about 10 minutes late.
If I get the early train, then I do a couple of laps of Hyde Park to get the distance up to about 8.5 miles. If I get the later train, I only have time for the 2.5 mile commute.
Cost aside, there's no way I could drive to work, we have an underground car park and I have a space for my bike, but not for a car.
Even if I could, it would take longer, and because of the convuluted journey that I have, I'm away from the house for at least 12 hours on a good day. Which means fitting in any type of exercise on top of that, is hard work.
I'm fat enough as it is. I'd be enormous if I din't cycle.
Loads more black stuff accumulates in my nose if I catch the tube to work compared to cycling. I was surprised at that.
Commuting by car is a great way to crush driving enjoyment (unless you are one of the few who has nice roads and little traffic to contend with). I will always try to avoid it.
Commuting by car is a great way to crush driving enjoyment (unless you are one of the few who has nice roads and little traffic to contend with). I will always try to avoid it.
braddo said:
Loads more black stuff accumulates in my nose if I catch the tube to work compared to cycling. I was surprised at that.
Commuting by car is a great way to crush driving enjoyment (unless you are one of the few who has nice roads and little traffic to contend with). I will always try to avoid it.
Indeed, I forgot about that, I went from full blown petrol head with a couple of classics, with a minimal commute. I then had to do 90 miles a day down the m4 in a diesel Audi and fell out of love with cars!Commuting by car is a great way to crush driving enjoyment (unless you are one of the few who has nice roads and little traffic to contend with). I will always try to avoid it.
It's usually possible to plan a route away from traffic.
My commute is 10 miles the shortest route. But 13 by taking in tracks and quiet lanes . This avoids danger/fumes & also stops causing a rolling roadblock down a twisty B road during peak.
Better for me, better for drivers, better for the environment
My commute is 10 miles the shortest route. But 13 by taking in tracks and quiet lanes . This avoids danger/fumes & also stops causing a rolling roadblock down a twisty B road during peak.
Better for me, better for drivers, better for the environment
S10GTA said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Theres a variety of reasons I commute in, as others have said, bar the enjoyment and fitness I like saving the cost, its cost me about £7 to drive in, which is dead money 7 x 3 = 21 x 45 weeks a year = £945 a year I save on driving in. My drive in is actually quite a nice & easy drive, but its still "dead" money.
Agreed. My saving is £5.24 per day, so if I ride in everyday in a year I will save £1257.60.....But I spend it all on bikes...
I've probably spent it all on bikes too...
lepetitoeuf said:
The most significant incentive for cycling to work was saving £11.50/day in petrol, yet having the same commute time. I live in Central London so the pollution doesn't bother me, it's always around.
But then I bought a diesel Golf which reduced fuel costs by 70% and curiously the motivation to cycle has all but disappeared
.
If you live in central London and commuting by bike is no quicker than by car you're doing something wrong! And if your Golf Diesel saves you 70% were you driving a Chieftan tank before!?But then I bought a diesel Golf which reduced fuel costs by 70% and curiously the motivation to cycle has all but disappeared
.This thread is a crock of sh!t. I don't believe the air you breathe is any different if you breathe it on your bike in your car or while you walk. And never mind any money benefits what about the enjoyment? Does anyone enjoy driving as a commute? Ever? And what about beating your pbs? Is that ok in the car? I don't ride every day and it does take more thought and effort than just jumping in the car but it is so much more enjoyable.
Do you EVER go further than you have to when you commute by car?
...but If I didn't cycle during commuting time I'd be late for work...
I'm only cycling & using the train at the moment because I can't afford a car! Ironically the fare is more expensive than the fuel would be and it's only 10 minutes. But its 19 miles to work and a big leap from my 4 x 2.5 mile stints.
I'm only cycling & using the train at the moment because I can't afford a car! Ironically the fare is more expensive than the fuel would be and it's only 10 minutes. But its 19 miles to work and a big leap from my 4 x 2.5 mile stints.
S10GTA said:
Agreed. My saving is £5.24 per day, so if I ride in everyday in a year I will save £1257.60.....
But I spend it all on bikes...
This. I don't think I save any money cycling because I just spend the money saved on shiny stuff and waterproof stuff. Plus my firm spend £2k a year on a parking space I rarely use.But I spend it all on bikes...
However, I feel soooo much better cycling to work.
The only thing this thread has proved is that every commute is different!
Personally, I can't abide the train or tube and have to share parking (which means I can't park every day) so the bike is the only option. Tomorrow I have to take public transport as I have a wedding reception to go after work - I know I'll be standing on the platform tomorrow morning wishing I was on my bike....
Personally, I can't abide the train or tube and have to share parking (which means I can't park every day) so the bike is the only option. Tomorrow I have to take public transport as I have a wedding reception to go after work - I know I'll be standing on the platform tomorrow morning wishing I was on my bike....
uncinqsix said:
S10GTA said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Theres a variety of reasons I commute in, as others have said, bar the enjoyment and fitness I like saving the cost, its cost me about £7 to drive in, which is dead money 7 x 3 = 21 x 45 weeks a year = £945 a year I save on driving in. My drive in is actually quite a nice & easy drive, but its still "dead" money.
Agreed. My saving is £5.24 per day, so if I ride in everyday in a year I will save £1257.60.....But I spend it all on bikes...
I've probably spent it all on bikes too...
Daveyraveygravey said:
This thread is a crock of sh!t. I don't believe the air you breathe is any different if you breathe it on your bike in your car or while you walk.
Actually, it's very different when you walk. The drop off in air pollution as you get further away from the kerb is dramatic. I once read advice to say that you should walk at least 1.5m from the road as there is a tiny percentage of pollution compared to being near the kerb.
I haven't noticed much impact from the pollution, commuting in London every day for the last couple of years (about 20k per day, sometimes a good deal more if I have meetings away from the office). On the other hand, I'm currently recuperating from my third no-fault crash this year, and beginning to question the risk/reward ratio a little. If people (both drivers and cyclists) could be persuaded to a) check that the way is clear and b) signal before turning right, I might feel differently.
Is the other thing to take away from this thread "Avoid London"?
I ride to work. I can do it in just under 5 miles on a road bike (Or just under 10 depending on where I'm coming in from), could be done in 3 on a mountain bike but the route is just rubbish (4 stupid gates, 3 obstacles to climb over, overgrown paths, walls of nettles and brambles etc)
It's cheaper than driving.
I arrive awake and refreshed instead of still asleep.
It adds another 50 miles a week to my total with another 2500ft of climbing.
I'd still have spent the money on the bikes and kit ANYWAY so its a sunk cost.
There are pretty much no downsides for me. That equation might work out differently for different people.
Even in a semi-rural setting I'm still the fastest thing moving on some of the roads in the morning rush hour.
I ride to work. I can do it in just under 5 miles on a road bike (Or just under 10 depending on where I'm coming in from), could be done in 3 on a mountain bike but the route is just rubbish (4 stupid gates, 3 obstacles to climb over, overgrown paths, walls of nettles and brambles etc)
It's cheaper than driving.
I arrive awake and refreshed instead of still asleep.
It adds another 50 miles a week to my total with another 2500ft of climbing.
I'd still have spent the money on the bikes and kit ANYWAY so its a sunk cost.
There are pretty much no downsides for me. That equation might work out differently for different people.
Even in a semi-rural setting I'm still the fastest thing moving on some of the roads in the morning rush hour.
so what's your average commute distance ?
I train / tube to work every day
If I cycled it would be 17 Miles each way; and a lot of that would be on busy roads.
Would yo uconsider this to be a stupid commute ?
I would love an alternative to the tube... black bogey nose is not fun anymore !
When I lived in Yorkshire, I regularly rode to work - 10 miles each way - including a 500ft climb on the way home... it was 90% bridleway though.
Woul dbe nice to regain some of my fitness again...just need a new bike tho
I train / tube to work every day
If I cycled it would be 17 Miles each way; and a lot of that would be on busy roads.
Would yo uconsider this to be a stupid commute ?
I would love an alternative to the tube... black bogey nose is not fun anymore !
When I lived in Yorkshire, I regularly rode to work - 10 miles each way - including a 500ft climb on the way home... it was 90% bridleway though.
Woul dbe nice to regain some of my fitness again...just need a new bike tho
red997 said:
so what's your average commute distance ?
I train / tube to work every day
If I cycled it would be 17 Miles each way; and a lot of that would be on busy roads.
Would yo uconsider this to be a stupid commute ?
I would love an alternative to the tube... black bogey nose is not fun anymore !
When I lived in Yorkshire, I regularly rode to work - 10 miles each way - including a 500ft climb on the way home... it was 90% bridleway though.
Woul dbe nice to regain some of my fitness again...just need a new bike tho
Could you not find a safer/quieter route that avoids the busy roads (or does in parts) and brings it up to 20 miles or so, you could then do that twice a week to start.I train / tube to work every day
If I cycled it would be 17 Miles each way; and a lot of that would be on busy roads.
Would yo uconsider this to be a stupid commute ?
I would love an alternative to the tube... black bogey nose is not fun anymore !
When I lived in Yorkshire, I regularly rode to work - 10 miles each way - including a 500ft climb on the way home... it was 90% bridleway though.
Woul dbe nice to regain some of my fitness again...just need a new bike tho
TheLemming said:
I'd find 20 a pain in the morning but would happily do it in the evening.
I'm averaging 231miles a week on my last 4 weeks average so it's not that I couldn't I'm just REALLY not a mornings person...
I've had commutes of 3, 10, 13, 15 & 20 milesI'm averaging 231miles a week on my last 4 weeks average so it's not that I couldn't I'm just REALLY not a mornings person...
20 was a bit of a PITA, its just the time it takes and the time to get ready. 10 I find is best
Rural commutes are amazing March - Sept, but when the clocks changes I have 4 months of pitch black lanes ro ride down,
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