🚴 Why Don't You Ride to Work or for Everyday Commitments?

[pagheca]

This time I'd love to understand why people don't use their bike for commuting and everyday commitments. Not just for weekend fun or a leisurely ride.

As always, vote honestly and feel free to comment freely. All answers are valid, all perspectives are welcome. Just, try not to be too rude. A little rude is fine. We're all adults here.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I try to ride whenever I can but it's not always practical.

You missed some options for me.

Not practical/possible to carry what I need.

It's too far there and back (would be flat)

I might be too drunk to ride home so walking/lifts are more suitable.

 

[venturavin]

No option for "Because I use a different bike for commuting"

There's a right tool for each job. Riding my fancy emtb with relatively short interval service needs would be quite wasteful. By using the right tool for the right job, all the tools end up lasting much longer. I actually have two commuter options, one analog commuter that I've owned for 15+ years. My go-to choice for short trips and/or if I have time to kill. And an e-commuter (hub motor style, 6 years old) for longer trips, if I'm in a hurry, or if I need to carry my child/lots of stuff with me like groceries. Two commuters is a bit excessive, but the analog one has sentimental value (and little monetary value) so I keep it around.

 

[pagheca]

No option for "Because I use a different bike for commuting"

There's a right tool for each job. Riding my fancy emtb with relatively short interval service needs would be quite wasteful. By using the right tool for the right job, all the tools end up lasting much longer. I actually have two commuter options, one analog commuter that I've owned for 15+ years. My go-to choice for short trips and/or if I have time to kill. And an e-commuter (hub motor style, 6 years old) for longer trips, if I'm in a hurry, or if I need to carry my child/lots of stuff with me like groceries. Two commuters is a bit excessive, but the analog one has sentimental value (and little monetary value) so I keep it around.

I put the "e-" in parenthesis just because I meant e-bike or bike. I will rephrase it.

EDIT: polls title and comment cannot be edited actually (but options can be added). So, unfortunately it will stay as it is.
EDIT: someone (moderator?) changed it for me. thanks!

 

[pagheca]

I try to ride whenever I can but it's not always practical.

You missed some options for me.

Not practical/possible to carry what I need.

I added this option now.

It's too far there and back (would be flat)

This option is available: " The route is too hilly or too far"

I might be too drunk to ride home so walking/lifts are more suitable.

Well.. I hope you are not ALWAYS too drunk . So, maybe you can think about why you don't ride a bicycle (or e-bike) the other times.

 

[irie]

"Why you don't use my E-Bike/bike for commuting and other commitments?"

I do not have an E-Bike, only an eMTB for off-road use.

I do not commute because I do not work.

 

[pagheca]

"Why you don't use my E-Bike/bike for commuting and other commitments?"

I do not have an E-Bike, only an eMTB for off-road use.

Me too, but I use it to commute too. And just to clarify: e-mtbs are a subset or the e-bike (the b stands for... bike). However, I added that option too.

I do not commute because I do not work.

OK, sorry about that, but I wrote also "and other commitments".

 

[irie]

Me too, but I use it to commute too. And just to clarify: e-mtbs are a subset or the e-bike (the b stands for... bike). However, I added that option too.

OK, sorry about that, but I wrote also "and other commitments".

Then stay with the eMTB subset of eBikes, which is what this forum is for, rather than dogmatically attempting to generalise as part of your environmental sustainability crusade ... yet again.

 

[Heated]

Theres just nowhere to leave My bike close enough to me.
Theres a bike shed(with one side open) at our work but since we are quite big I would have no idea if it got stolen untill after work.
I dont trust people.

 

[pagheca]

Theres just nowhere to leave My bike close enough to me.
Theres a bike shed(with one side open) at our work but since we are quite big I would have no idea if it got stolen untill after work.
I dont trust people.

This is actually a major barrier for me too... and somehow I forgot to include it! I've always been comfortable cycling to work only when I could bring my bike inside the office with me. The moment that wasn't an option, the bike stayed home.

I suspect this is one of the most underrated reasons why people don't cycle for everyday commitments. It's not just about commuting: think about a trip to the shops, a visit to a museum, or a dinner out. The risk, and the anxiety, isn't worth it.

I've added it to the list now.

 

[kefconstruction]

Can't carry all the tools on the bike

 

[RustyIron]

Ride a bike to work? Why?

I rode my bike to work until I turned 16, got my driver's license, and bought a car.

 

[ozzybmx]

I do ride occasionally but hand picked days.

12hr shifts, 6am to 6pm and 34km each way means up at 4:30am and home after 7:30pm due to living at 310m and working at sea level.
Downhill for the first 10km, reverse on the way home.
It also makes me cringe to run my expensive supersoft tyres on tarmac. Ideally a dedicated commuter would be perfect.

Velduro (Who make the Rogue emtb) Phantom is a DJI powered e-gravel bike, that would make a super-commuter with fat slicks.

 

[Maxi]

Err...my office is 120 miles away and I don't think they'll pay me a day's travel each way

Still got my eMTB on the Cycle to Work scheme though.

 

[MeatBike]

I cycled to work on analog bikes every day for years in all seasons/weather, but then Covid happened and I've worked from home ever since. The daily commute is the only thing I miss about working in an office.

 

[Eliadn]

My first hardtail emtb got converted to a full blown city commuter bike. Proper long mudguards, wider softer saddle, rack with an Ortlieb pannier, frame bag, lock and 2,35 Schwalbe Motion tyres (new generation Big Apple). A few days ago I had the light ports activated so will probably buy some fancy Supernova tail light.
For 3 and half years I commuted on the bike in trail configuration (2,6 tyres, no mudguards etc) which was fine, but the difference in comfort is night and day now lol. My commute is 11 km each way, cycle path all the way almost, flat. I have over 6k km on the bike commuting! I would totally recommend everyone biking to work (traffic is a nightmare). Car is for rainy days and below 0 degrees.

 

[Polar]

I do every day after my first ebike back in 2018.
It's no problem year around in all types of weather with the right gear on the bike and me whether it's 27 Celsius or -20.
There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment.

 

[ozzybmx]

Err...my office is 120 miles away and I don't think they'll pay me a day's travel each way

Still got my eMTB on the Cycle to Work scheme though.

You work from home a few days ? Thats a fair commute.

 

[Astro66]

I live in Inner Sydney City. I ride everywhere that's not more than a 10km round trip. Just not on my EMTB. Too expensive to leave anywhere. I have a commuter Ebike.

Parking is a nightmare anywhere near where I live. So cars are a PITA to find parking.

I would ride further a field. But it can be quite dangerous. So I normally take my Electric Motorbike.

If I am going more than 60km round trip, or need to carry a load, like my EMTB. I take my Electric Car.

 

[pagheca]

I live in Inner Sydney City. I ride everywhere that's not more than a 10km round trip. Just not on my EMTB. Too expensive to leave anywhere. I have a commuter Ebike.

Parking is a nightmare anywhere near where I live. So cars are a PITA to find parking.

I would ride further a field. But it can be quite dangerous. So I normally take my Electric Motorbike.

If I am going more than 60km round trip, or need to carry a load, like my EMTB. I take my Electric Car.

I lived in Sydney many years, in Randwick, actually. Wonderful neighbourhood. Back then I was commuting to work by bike, though it was barely a ride: I was working at UNSW at the time. Given your username, we might even share the same field...

It was also in Sydney that I bought my very first mountain bike, a Trek 7200 CX, from the Trek shop in the CBD. That opened the door to some great rides to north, west, and all the way south to the Royal National Park with some colleagues.

So many good memories. I really miss the place. Cheers to your fantastic city.

 

[pagheca]

I have over 6k km on the bike commuting! I would totally recommend everyone biking to work (traffic is a nightmare). Car is for rainy days and below 0 degrees.

I'm lucky in that respect. My commute - 9.7 km each way - takes me almost entirely along quiet back roads or dedicated cycling paths, separated from traffic, and for the last 3 km I ride on gravel along a canal towpath surrounded by woodland.

On the rare occasions I have to take the car instead, I find it really BORING... Sitting motionless in the traffic is my idea of a nightmare. And if I feel like it, I can also detour through about 3 km of a fairly technical but beautiful hard trail right through the forest rather than on a road.

I consider myself fortunate. An hour and a quarter of exercise every day, rather than sitting still, zoning out, going nowhere. I don't care if it rains. I just cover myself and the bags.

 

[Mario Antony]

This is an eMTB forum.
Really, who cares about commute?
Even if I was willing to ride 50km each way....
I woudn't swap tires for road use, nor will I ride my super soft/soft tires on tarmac!

Commute = Commuter ebike

EMTB = Trails

Horses for courses!

 

[The Hodge]

Ive answered on two points.
Travelling to work ( part time 3 days per week ) is a 60 mile round trip from one of the remotest parts of Northumberland ..as an add-on I view my bike purely as a recreational tool and want to protect the longevity of both battery & motor .
Secondly Ive some of the best roads in the country for " brisk" driving which I take full advantage of ..I'm a confirmed "petrol-head " and while I love my e-bike an e-motor vehicle will be resisted for as long as I possibly can ..

 

[Pyr0]

I ride my bike to work and keep it upstairs, in my office.
I won't use it to go to the shops though as I don't trust locking it up.

 

[pagheca]

I ride my bike to work and keep it upstairs, in my office.
I won't use it to go to the shops though as I don't trust locking it up.

My next poll will be about what people do to protect their e-bike from theft...

 

[Pyr0]

I pay for insurance with cycle plan and store it indoors when not used.
I keep it inside my house or in the office.

 

[ozzybmx]

This is an eMTB forum.
Really, who cares about commute?
Even if I was willing to ride 50km each way....
I woudn't swap tires for road use, nor will I ride my super soft/soft tires on tarmac!

Commute = Commuter ebike

EMTB = Trails

Horses for courses!

Most of us here are emtb'ers that have moved to electric bikes from many other riding experiences.

I have rode and raced (on regular bikes) XC, Road, CX, done 24 solo, done 5 day endurance events, done many single day 100km-200km+ races, still bikepacking, commuted and just ridden my bike to get that 1 hour a day freedom.

The good headspace that riding, whether MTB on dirt or maybe a commute on bike paths is pretty much the same.

It doesn't matter what bike you ride.

 

[OffitThatM8]

Where is the "I work from home full time and if I left it anywhere when popping to the shops it would get stolen" option?

 

[simonali19]

A few things for me. I work 6-6, so:

1. It is only light and both ends of the shift for a couple of months of the year

2. Most of the route is a 60mph major A road.

3. The temperature difference between 6am and 6pm is quite stark. You need gloves, jacket etc going one way then have to carry it all in a backpack the other way ready for the next day.

4. 12 hour shifts are knackering enough without having to ride a bike home afterwards AND making the working day an hour longer in the process.

 

[irie]

Me too, but I use it to commute too. And just to clarify: e-mtbs are a subset or the e-bike (the b stands for... bike). However, I added that option too.

OK, sorry about that, but I wrote also "and other commitments".

Just to clarify, the above definition of "e-bikes" is a subset of the set of electric bikes (including such as Surron bikes and electric scooters ...).

I can play this set game too.

What qualifies as "other commitments"?