Why don't more people cycle to work?

Wombatman

I'm surprised by how few cyclists are on the road in the morning when I'm on my way to work.

I live in Galway where the traffic is horrendously slow during rush hours, yet people aren't really seeing the bike as a solution.

I'd guess that if everyone who availed of the bike to work scheme actually biked to work we would see a dramatic increase.

It's interesting that with the upsurge cycling participation, the % of those commuting by bike has halved in the last 20 years.

http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp6ci/p6cii/p6mtw/

I guess this has to do with population density and the greater distances people have to travel to work. One way around this is to bring it some of the way on the rack. This get one around the worst of the tailbacks.

Pelvis

Lack of showers in work.

Seth Brundle

Lack of showers as mentioned.
Lack of decent cycling facilities and secure storage areas.
Perception that it is or may be dangerous.
We're a nation of lazy gits!

Diarmuid

Laziness

uncle-mofo

Rain

Chips Lovell

"You're taking your life in your hands cycling in Dublin".

Despite empirical evidence in the form of myself and other cycling colleagues not getting killed to death on a daily basis, the opinion persists.

_Brian

Lack of cycle lanes.

Poor road conditions for bikes.

No facilities at work to change/shower.

Commuting too far.

Dangerous drivers/also dangerous cyclists as I believe it’s an equal problem on both sides.

The weather, were just coming out of a 7-8 month wet period.

Many have other stuff that needs to get done on way back from work, collecting kids, shopping etc.

Lastly there’s just no cycling culture among the general population, we cycle recreationally (off road) and among many of my my family it’s as if we’re some sort of deviants. Irish people are inherently lazy and sedentary.

Ray Bloody Purchase

In Galway it's probably just not viable. It's the people travelling from the hinterlands like Athenry, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Tuam etc who wouldn't really have the option of cycling in, that are causing the major backlogs. Even if they wanted to cycle in, the infrastructure is poor for it.

Ray Bloody Purchase

Baron de Charlus wrote: »

"You're taking your life in your hands cycling in Dublin".

Despite empirical evidence in the form of myself and other cycling colleagues not getting killed to death on a daily basis, the opinion persists.

I get that the whole time. The general consensus seems to be that anyone who cycles in Dublin has to have a deathwish.

Grassey

Pelvis wrote: »

Lack of showers in work.

That's what the 'issue' is in my place (actually we have 1 shared shower in the other office building 5 mins down the road). That and no changing rooms requiring use of toilet cubicles. That said, a few of us have managed to lobby for removal of 2 parking spaces and install 12 bike stands and get lockers in. Unfortunately a 'drying rack' is still limited to an old coat stand outside in the car park....

On a sunny summer day all available bike spaces are full so about 15ish% of staff cycling in, on a cold winter day about 1%

I'm looked at oddly for my ~40km roundtrip as that is clearly too far to do in anything other than a car... the girl beside me lives 850m from the office and she'll drive in most days because she might need the car after work...

manonboard

I work in Dublin city center.
Lack of showers, lack of time to shower etc, but mostly the horrendously dangerous roads for cyclists. If there was a cycle lane that was separated or safe, I'd definitely cycle in.
The pollution too worries me.

Fian

People don't understand what it is like.

I am lucky i moved house temporarily while my own home was being extended. I moved to a place only about 2 km from work, with no direct public transport. Choise was walk or cycle and my cycle was mainly along the canal - from leintster park in harold's cross to harcourt street. I bought a chepa halfords mountain bike and started cycling. I enjoyed it so i decided to go mad and continue to cycle from dundrum after the extension was finished - on a better bike.

I would never have believed it was possible for me to cycle to work from Dundrum to city centre - only 7.5km - if i hadn't gotten back on a bike for the first time in 20 years or so to make that short little commute.

mathie

I saw a poster for a gym a while back that I think sums it up.

"Everyone has an excuse. Whats yours?"

When 3 out of 4 adult males are overweight or obese you know there are plenty of excuses out there.

niceonetom

This is exactly the wrong place to ask.

ford2600

Wombatman wrote: »

I'm surprised by how few cyclists are on the road in the morning when I'm on my way to work.

I live in Galway where the traffic is horrendously slow during rush hours, yet people aren't really seeing the bike as a solution.

I'd guess that if everyone who availed of the bike to work scheme actually biked to work we would see a dramatic increase.

It's interesting that with the upsurge cycling participation, the % of those commuting by bike has halved in the last 20 years.

http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp6ci/p6cii/p6mtw/

I guess this has to do with population density and the greater distances people have to travel to work. One way around this is to bring it some of the way on the rack. This get one around the worst of the tailbacks.

Galway is a bit special though; the roads into it, in the main are horrible by bike. Headford/Spiddal/Clarinbridge(might be ok now with new motorway) etc.

There is no where else ime like the countryside around Galway for ribbon development; it is horrific. Narrow country roads are in the main perfect for cycling; if they are shared with a lot of other commuters in cars they are the worst of roads.

City Council efforts at bike lanes are a bit special also.

Subcomandante Marcos

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

In Galway it's probably just not viable. It's the people travelling from the hinterlands like Athenry, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Tuam etc who wouldn't really have the option of cycling in, that are causing the major backlogs. Even if they wanted to cycle in, the infrastructure is poor for it.

Most people who commute in Galway do so from within the city or it's immediate surrounds. Knocknacarra to Parkmore is a 30-40 minute cycle and takes longer to drive or bus in the morning and evening. commuting from Knocknacarra, Salthill or Ballybrit or Remore to the city or university/GMIT is even quicker by bike but still thousands drive.
Even if they used used buses and left their cars at home the traffic would improve immeasurably. Irish people seem to have this weird fixation on the idea that because they own a car they have to use it or it's they god given right to use it for short single occupancy journeys that are the main cause of traffic congestion.

Tenzor07

ford2600 wrote: »

Galway is a bit special though

I think the thread title should be updated to "Why don't more people cycle to work in Galway"

gk5000

a. Not enough doctors orders !!!!!! get fit,lose weight....

b. I used to drive/luas for years - never realised how doable cycling is - 10k each way - and how you really get to like it - and the freedom it gives

c. Two good locks - but leave one at work on the stand on the street

d. Take it easy in the morning and you don't really sweat that much, and take a change of clothes

There should be some sort of genuine encouragement to try it for a week.

That said - my route is peaceful - not sure I want to be fighting with loads of other cyclists - like alongside the canals.

Dravokivich

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Most people who commute in Galway do so from within the city or it's immediate surrounds. Knocknacarra to Parkmore is a 30-40 minute cycle and takes longer to drive or bus in the morning and evening. commuting from Knocknacarra, Salthill or Ballybrit or Remore to the city or university/GMIT is even quicker by bike but still thousands drive.
Even if they used used buses and left their cars at home the traffic would improve immeasurably. Irish people seem to have this weird fixation on the idea that because they own a car they have to use it or it's they god given right to use it for short single occupancy journeys that are the main cause of traffic congestion.

Just because you only see one person in the car when you go pass it, doesn't mean they were the only person who's been in that car for the commute.

Subcomandante Marcos

Dravokivich wrote: »

Just because you only see one person in the car when you go pass it, doesn't mean they were the only person who's been in that car for the commute.

No, but all surveys done on commuting and car use in Ireland show that single and low occupancy short trips are the main form of car use in Ireland.

DavyD_83

As mentioned above I think the real reason is that people have a complete misconception of how hard it is to cycle, and that it is somehow more difficult/hassle than other options.

Cycling as transport is something seen as done by people who don't have a better option (ie: car), or lycra clad elitist types.

Bike is by far the 'easiest' mode of transport around and in/out of the city, and the more people cycle the easier it will become.
Not so sure about any non-Dublin commutes.

We live in a country where I believe infrastructure and rules need to be driven by behaviour and existing demand and pressure; genuine attempts at creating infrastructure to influence behaviour has long since been abandoned as far as I can see.

People will always blame the dangerous roads and weather too.

Kuva

uncle-mofo wrote: »

Rain

Ruins everything.

Hard enough to go out in it never mind cycle.

gk5000

Fian wrote: »

People don't understand what it is like.

I am lucky i moved house temporarily while my own home was being extended. I moved to a place only about 2 km from work, with no direct public transport. Choise was walk or cycle and my cycle was mainly along the canal - from leintster park in harold's cross to harcourt street. I bought a chepa halfords mountain bike and started cycling. I enjoyed it so i decided to go mad and continue to cycle from dundrum after the extension was finished - on a better bike.

I would never have believed it was possible for me to cycle to work from Dundrum to city centre - only 7.5km - if i hadn't gotten back on a bike for the first time in 20 years or so to make that short little commute.

Exactly: should have read your's first. As I said later:

"There should be some sort of genuine encouragement to try it for a week.

steamsey

I commute about 12k each day into Dublin, and have been commuting by bike for a long time. The main things I hear from people are the weather (genuinely not an issue) and how dangerous the roads are.

On the weather - it really doesn't rain in the morning as much as people think. This winter was definitely an exception but I rarely need the rain gear.

On showers as people have mentioned - if none at work then shower at home. Change into clean clothes in the jacks at work. Not an issue. Prep becomes second nature and it's genuinely no hassle.

On the dangerous roads - I used to say they are as dangerous as you make them. But I don't believe that anymore. Dublin roads are lethal for cyclists. The lack of garda out there has been noticed by road users, and as a result, the phones are out, red lights are run, people park wherever they want and so on. In over 2 decades of commuting by bike I have never seen the conditions so bad for cyclists. There is a general dislike for cyclists among drivers and while there are of course still plenty of considerate drivers out there, there are plenty of aggressive nut jobs too. As much as I want cycling to get to the critical mass it needs, I could not honestly encourage someone I know or care about to take up cycling at the moment.

Compounding this is the terrible traffic which is clearly frustrating drivers. The mornings are when you most need to be on the ball when drivers rage levels are highest.

I saw a lone cyclist garda in Terenure last night watching the bus lane on the way home, and it's the first time I've seen anything like it for years. Perhaps when we get more garda things will change, but the traffic is not going to get better anytime soon and I think it will get worse for cyclists before it gets better.

I still commute by bike, but maybe not for much longer I'm sad to say. The summer brings a welcome reprieve from the rush hour madness so once that's over, I'll probably look at changing how I commute.

With that said though, I do recognise that it's an amazing way to get to work, get your daily exercise and start the day properly. I just wish that cyclists had proper segregation from the main road and that there was consistent, visible, effective garda presence on main routes into town.

gk5000

uncle-mofo wrote: »

Rain

Rarer than you think.
You only have to worry about rain for say 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening.

You'll find rain is only really an issue about 10%-20% of the days even in the winter - and heavy rain only about 5% of the time.

average_runner

Baron de Charlus wrote: »

"You're taking your life in your hands cycling in Dublin".

Despite empirical evidence in the form of myself and other cycling colleagues not getting killed to death on a daily basis, the opinion persists.

Well the "near misses" thread doesn't promote a safe picture

Subcomandante Marcos

I'm not buying the rain argument.

It rains just as much in The Netherlands, Denmark and other Northern European countries as it does in Ireland. Dublin and the east of Ireland more sun shine than most of Northern and Western Europe. Ireland also gets less extreme weather than other Northern European counties. Weather is the least biggest obstacle.

Subcomandante Marcos

Weepsie wrote: »

Also on the showers. I strolled into work today. At a leisurely pace. I was more in need of a shower afterwards than I normally am cycling in. Same when taking a bus when it's packed, or warm.

I sweat far more on over crowded buses on winter mornings when the heating is cranked and the windows are closed than I would doddling along on my town bike, and it takes me longer to get from home to work and vice versa.

Wombatman

mathie wrote: »

I saw a poster for a gym a while back that I think sums it up.

"Everyone has an excuse. Whats yours?"

When 3 out of 4 adult males are overweight or obese you know there are plenty of excuses out there.

Totally agree with this. Most of the obstacles cited are far from insurmountable.

Showers = Baby Wipes or wash cloth in plastic box. Take it handy. Most in the Netherlands bike commute in their normal clothes.

Distance \ Kids Drop = Split commute. Rack or left bike. You will be quicker cycling in rush hour.

Dangerous Roads = State of mind? Doesn't seem to stop clubs at the weekend although traffic lighter. Take is handy and pick a good route. Look to be the biggest problem though.

Weather = 3 times as many cycle commuters in Sweaden. Weather is Ireland is generally quite good for cycling. You do need a good rain jacket.

etc etc.

Mars Bar

steamsey wrote: »

On showers as people have mentioned - if none at work then shower at home.

What? Cycle to work and then go home to take a shower before work?

ford2600

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I think the thread title should be updated to "Why don't more people cycle to work in Galway"

Perhaps.

On rain alone its not a valid comparison (although I don't think it's a valid excuse but any regular cyclist/outdoor type will be an outlier with regard to rain).

steamsey

Mars Bar wrote: »

What? Cycle to work and then go home to take a shower before work?

I meant shower in the morning before you cycle to work. Although I do like the sound of heading back home immediately after arriving in work

uncle-mofo

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

I'm not buying the rain argument.

It rains just as much in The Netherlands, Denmark and other Northern European countries as it does in Ireland. Dublin and the east of Ireland more sun shine than most of Northern and Western Europe. Ireland also gets less extreme weather than other Northern European counties. Weather is the least biggest obstacle.

That may be the case in the East, I moved to Galway from Waterford and the amount of rain up here compared to the East/South East in the winter months is depressing.

I leave a rain jacket in my car and need it walking from the carpark to work on average 3/5 days of the week.

This summer I've started cycling to work and the weather has been fine for the last two weeks, but I'll be investing in waterproof gear and mudguards if I keep it up.

Kaisr Sose

Probably said already, but worth saying again....Too many cars!

Chips Lovell

The other thing people don't seem to get is just how convenient it is. They view cycling to work as some sort of heavy physical exercise or a sacrifice. Whereas really (and especially during the school year) it's quicker, more enjoyable, and far less of a pain in the hoop than taking the car.

Wishbone Ash

average_runner wrote: »

Well the "near misses" thread doesn't promote a safe picture

I'm always a bit skeptical about much of what I read in that thread. I cycle 400kms per week and probably have a 'near miss' maybe once a month. I suspect that some poster's style of cycling isn't helping and they probably don't realise it.

theyoungchap

I love to drive to the gym, get the escalator up, and then hop on an exercise bike and step machine.
Flawless.

ED E

Dr. Bre

Cos the weather is awful and Dublin isn’t suited to cycling around

De Bhál

Friend of mine drives, loves it and doesn't mind sitting in traffic, says the time in the car is the only time he gets to himself all day.

schemingbohemia

Wombatman wrote: »

I'm surprised by how few cyclists are on the road in the morning when I'm on my way to work.

I live in Galway where the traffic is horrendously slow during rush hours, yet people aren't really seeing the bike as a solution.

I'd guess that if everyone who availed of the bike to work scheme actually biked to work we would see a dramatic increase.

It's interesting that with the upsurge cycling participation, the % of those commuting by bike has halved in the last 20 years.

http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp6ci/p6cii/p6mtw/

I guess this has to do with population density and the greater distances people have to travel to work. One way around this is to bring it some of the way on the rack. This get one around the worst of the tailbacks.

Don't know if this has been mentioned but whilst the % has halved the number of people cycling is back to more than 1991 levels and not far off 1986 levels. The key difference is the significant drop in females cycling.

magicbastarder

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm always a bit skeptical about much of what I read in that thread. I cycle 400kms per week and probably have a 'near miss' maybe once a month. I suspect that some poster's style of cycling isn't helping and they probably don't realise it.

you are very experienced though, and may have a better sixth sense developed about the behaviour of motorists before they become an issue.

Macy0161

I do think it's a perception with the danger. However, it's enough that we've had to campaign (and are still awaiting) mpdl. I would say that is the biggest thing I hear in work.

I don't think people realise how much time and convenience they could have on the bike. In my work place I hear them moan about the traffic and buses, and I'd be walking it never mind cycling!

As to showers, I would say most days I don't need to shower after the commute - into the city centre is mainly downhill in Dublin from both north side or south side.

Finally, there's definitely the issue of distance of commutes. There's never been any real drive to do park and rides, for public transport or bikes. I looked into parking at one of the luas park and rides and cycling in, and their conditions are you must be travelling by Luas. I generally park up somewhere, as the full commute on bike wouldn't work time wise for me and my family situation (at the moment), but you're relying on finding road side parking/ local knowledge. On top of the security of the bike at destination, you have security of the car where you leave it.

seamus

It's pure laziness.

Everything else is an excuse. Talk about rain, about it being "hard", or dangerous, about having things to carry, or having to wear makeup, or not having showers, are all excuses.

The real answer is that people don't cycle because they don't want to, but because that sounds lazy they like to fool themselves into thinking that have a good excuse.

If you want to cycle, you will find a way.

In terms of getting more people cycling, the carrot-and-stick approach is the only way. The carrot is where you promote cycling, have initiatives where you get rewarded for cycling; like a national "cycle to work day" that includes events and free sh1t for people who are cycling. The stick is where you disincentivise driving; private car parking spaces should attract BIK at comparative parking rates (i.e. €3 an hour in the city centre); less space for cars in cities and towns, and so forth.

All you really have to do is break the initial resistance to cycling; demonstrate how easy it is and how all the excuses are just made up. And people will take to it.

magicbastarder

seamus wrote: »

It's pure laziness.

Everything else is an excuse. Talk about rain, about it being "hard", or dangerous, about having things to carry, or having to wear makeup, or not having showers, are all excuses.

with the greatest respect, half of the above is nonsense.
my commute is 19.5km. there's no way in hell i'd be able to subject my co-workers to me if i cycled in and didn't have a full shower. people *are* genuinely scared by what they see on the roads.

and bike theft is another aspect. i know people who simply don't have somewhere they cold lock their bike in confidence.

theyoungchap

If I could get a shower in work, I would not think twice about cycling hail/rain/shine.

I cycled for years, half way across the city at times, and you'd get 5-10 wet days a year MAX when cycling to/from work.

Wishbone Ash

magicbastarder wrote: »

...my commute is 19.5km. there's no way in hell i'd be able to subject my co-workers to me if i cycled in and didn't have a full shower....

My commute is also 19.5kms (but I usually do at least 20) and I've never had showering facilities in work (...and I work in an almost all female environment!).

Ray Bloody Purchase

theyoungchap wrote: »

If I could get a shower in work, I would not think twice about cycling hail/rain/shine.

I cycled for years, half way across the city at times, and you'd get 5-10 wet days a year MAX when cycling to/from work.

That's for sure. In the last eight months i could count on one hand the amount of times i've gotten seriously soaked.

It might be a different story down in Galway though. It's a lot bloody wetter down there.

No way in hell I'd ride even 2km to a job unless there was a shower waiting at the other end especially this time of year. I'm fairly fit but sweat buckets and baby wipes and a spray wouldn't cut it

Rain never bothered me either especially if it was heading home was a non issue.

That feeling of skipping a line of 20 cars crawling along if that and getting home in 20 minutes as opposed to standing waiting on a bus to sit in the same traffic for nearly an hour never got old when I was in Dublin

Wishbone Ash

theyoungchap wrote: »

.. and you'd get 5-10 wet days a year MAX when cycling to/from work.

This.

I was just thinking that I could count on 2 hands the amount of times I get wet cycling to/from work in a year.

kerplun k

Plain and simple, All other reasons come secondary to the fact that it's simply too dangerous.
In the last month I start cycling again after my first attempt a year ago left me terrified. I actually take a longer route now that’s 80% cycle lanes, but I have no counter argument for when people tell me they don’t cycle due to safety concerns.