Comments on: How to Get Everyday People to Use a Bike http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Mon, 20 May 2013 04:36:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: femme ralph Lauren polo chemisel http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-192877 femme ralph Lauren polo chemisel Wed, 19 May 2010 05:16:11 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-192877 ride to work I'd bring my change of clothes and a clean rag. After taking 15+ min's to cool off, I'd go to the restroom and clean up and change. When getting ready to leave, I'd go in the restroom again to change into my riding clothes. If we had stalls instead of an actual restroom, it would've been a real pain to change in. ride to work I’d bring my change of clothes and a clean rag. After taking 15+ min’s to cool off, I’d go to the restroom and clean up and change. When getting ready to leave, I’d go in the restroom again to change into my riding clothes. If we had stalls instead of an actual restroom, it would’ve been a real pain to change in.

]]> By: Dan http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-148837 Dan Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:01:24 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-148837 Paul has it right, changing facilities make a world of difference. At my work, we have single bathrooms that are great for privacy reasons. When I used to ride to work I'd bring my change of clothes and a clean rag. After taking 15+ min's to cool off, I'd go to the restroom and clean up and change. When getting ready to leave, I'd go in the restroom again to change into my riding clothes. If we had stalls instead of an actual restroom, it would've been a real pain to change in. I'm going to get back into riding again, but this time my brother is going to be my partner in training. He's going to jog/run while I ride. Paul has it right, changing facilities make a world of difference. At my work, we have single bathrooms that are great for privacy reasons. When I used to ride to work I’d bring my change of clothes and a clean rag. After taking 15+ min’s to cool off, I’d go to the restroom and clean up and change. When getting ready to leave, I’d go in the restroom again to change into my riding clothes. If we had stalls instead of an actual restroom, it would’ve been a real pain to change in.

I’m going to get back into riding again, but this time my brother is going to be my partner in training. He’s going to jog/run while I ride.

]]> By: Bike Shop Girl http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-148424 Bike Shop Girl Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:03:12 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-148424 Paul, Very good feedback. Staying "work worthy" is a big issue for commuters, especially beginners. I now have no issue wiping down with baby wipes or Action Wipes and changing. When I first started commuting I wouldn't go without a shower! Paul,

Very good feedback. Staying “work worthy” is a big issue for commuters, especially beginners. I now have no issue wiping down with baby wipes or Action Wipes and changing. When I first started commuting I wouldn’t go without a shower!

]]> By: Paul Bunnell http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-148423 Paul Bunnell Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:56:16 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-148423 Another issue for (particularly work) commuters, is cleanup/change facilities. When I was in university I cycled most of the time and simply did what I'd be doing at home anyway, after my ride -- most schools have ample gym/recreation facilities with shower/change rooms, often free for student/faculty use. In most downtown/commercial cores there are various fitness centres - employers would reap both goodwill AND productivity benefits by subsidizing (even to 100%!) costs for employees. Another issue for (particularly work) commuters, is cleanup/change facilities. When I was in university I cycled most of the time and simply did what I’d be doing at home anyway, after my ride — most schools have ample gym/recreation facilities with shower/change rooms, often free for student/faculty use.

In most downtown/commercial cores there are various fitness centres – employers would reap both goodwill AND productivity benefits by subsidizing (even to 100%!) costs for employees.

]]> By: Thomas L. Bowden, Sr. http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-144494 Thomas L. Bowden, Sr. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:54:40 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-144494 Easy, steal their car. Easy, steal their car.

]]> By: Kevin Love http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-143809 Kevin Love Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:41:51 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-143809 Alan, I wonder if there is any form of study relating city grid pattern to bike use. I can certainly think of many U.S. cities with tight grid patterns, such as New York City and New Orleans. Neither one of which has a high cycle mode share. Alan,

I wonder if there is any form of study relating city grid pattern to bike use. I can certainly think of many U.S. cities with tight grid patterns, such as New York City and New Orleans. Neither one of which has a high cycle mode share.

]]> By: Alan http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-143645 Alan Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:04:09 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-143645 "Mostly" was the operative word there. Certainly, many European cities are built on tighter grids than U.S. cities, whether old or new. Alan “Mostly” was the operative word there. Certainly, many European cities are built on tighter grids than U.S. cities, whether old or new.

Alan

]]> By: Kevin Love http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-143635 Kevin Love Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:02:31 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-143635 Alan wrote: "The European cities where governments have been successful in increasing bike share are mostly very old..." Kevin's comment: The European city with the highest cycle mode share is Groningen, at 59% cycle mode share. The pre-WWII part of Groningen is very small, and was fairly comprehensively destroyed when the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division defeated the German garrison in The Battle of Groningen in April 1945. Personal note: My grandfather fought in the Battle of Groningen as an infantryman in The Royal Regiment of Canada, the unit in which I myself later served On Her Majesty's Service. Virtually all of Groningen today was built since 1945, with 38% of the current housing being built after 1970. In short, Groningen is much newer than most North American cities, but has a 59% cycle mode share. So it is not about old = bike-friendly. Alan wrote:
“The European cities where governments have been successful in increasing bike share are mostly very old…”

Kevin’s comment:
The European city with the highest cycle mode share is Groningen, at 59% cycle mode share.

The pre-WWII part of Groningen is very small, and was fairly comprehensively destroyed when the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division defeated the German garrison in The Battle of Groningen in April 1945. Personal note: My grandfather fought in the Battle of Groningen as an infantryman in The Royal Regiment of Canada, the unit in which I myself later served On Her Majesty’s Service.

Virtually all of Groningen today was built since 1945, with 38% of the current housing being built after 1970.

In short, Groningen is much newer than most North American cities, but has a 59% cycle mode share. So it is not about old = bike-friendly.

]]> By: Kevin Love http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-143631 Kevin Love Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:36:52 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-143631 Good question! Where I live in The Riding of Toronto Centre, the commute mode share is: 38% public transit 34% walking and cycling 26% motorist - drivers and passengers Data from the 2006 census. I suspect that the 26% is much less today. In my opinion, there are three major reasons as to how we got to where we are: *Infrastructure *Culture *Land use planning An example of land use planning is the fact that there is zero car parking where I live and zero car parking where I work. Good question!

Where I live in The Riding of Toronto Centre, the commute mode share is:

38% public transit
34% walking and cycling
26% motorist – drivers and passengers

Data from the 2006 census. I suspect that the 26% is much less today.

In my opinion, there are three major reasons as to how we got to where we are:

*Infrastructure
*Culture
*Land use planning

An example of land use planning is the fact that there is zero car parking where I live and zero car parking where I work.

]]> By: Shane http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/04/how-to-get-everyday-people-to-use-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-143612 Shane Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:20:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3877#comment-143612 Some of the above commenters nailed it (BikeBike, Todd, Alan...)- it's the infrastructure! We need to build our cities so that an average mom feels comfortable riding with her 6 year old to school and then feels okay letting her 10 year old ride on his/her own. That should be the "indicator action". Separated systems create that comfort. The old school "John" way of cycling isn't going to work. Mr. Forester and Allen will not get more moms biking- more aggressive males maybe but not the general public. We need to switch the meaning of the FHWA from Federal Highway Administration to the Federal Healthy Ways Administration! We need a rebuild of our urban, suburban and even some rural infrastructure to focus on Active Transportation modes (walking, biking, scooting, skating, etc...). Revamping our transportation model will create jobs and stimulate our economy as we rebuild our cities. Instead of large bridge and dam projects we'll have major bikeways, massive sidewalk infill projects, and urban development projects. Not flashy and photogenic like a freeway interchange but certainly more sustainable, healthy, and effective for changing mode choices. It's not just the city planners and law enforcement but the engineers that need to change their mindset on what 'transportation' is. They are the one's laying the paint, deciding where the concrete gets poured, setting the light cycles, and actually building our infrastructure. Some of the above commenters nailed it (BikeBike, Todd, Alan…)- it’s the infrastructure!

We need to build our cities so that an average mom feels comfortable riding with her 6 year old to school and then feels okay letting her 10 year old ride on his/her own. That should be the “indicator action”. Separated systems create that comfort. The old school “John” way of cycling isn’t going to work. Mr. Forester and Allen will not get more moms biking- more aggressive males maybe but not the general public.

We need to switch the meaning of the FHWA from Federal Highway Administration to the Federal Healthy Ways Administration! We need a rebuild of our urban, suburban and even some rural infrastructure to focus on Active Transportation modes (walking, biking, scooting, skating, etc…). Revamping our transportation model will create jobs and stimulate our economy as we rebuild our cities. Instead of large bridge and dam projects we’ll have major bikeways, massive sidewalk infill projects, and urban development projects. Not flashy and photogenic like a freeway interchange but certainly more sustainable, healthy, and effective for changing mode choices.

It’s not just the city planners and law enforcement but the engineers that need to change their mindset on what ‘transportation’ is. They are the one’s laying the paint, deciding where the concrete gets poured, setting the light cycles, and actually building our infrastructure.

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