[W.A.G.7]

In theory, I would love to commute to work by cycling. But after riding for 6 months or so in the Pune traffic, I have realized that it is not a viable option, at-least in India. Hence, I have voted NO.

One of the primary reasons why it's not viable; is the hot and humid climate, especially in the summer months. For example, since my office does not have a gym or a bathing facility, cycling is all the more ruled out. The second reason is pollution - after cycling for an hour, if you come home and wipe your face; there is a fine layer of soot and dust on the napkin/tissue. Also the pollution makes it exhausting even if it is a short ride. The third reason is safety - In India there is scant regard for the safety of cyclists. I have had many heart in mouth moments while riding so far. Cyclists are the most disdainfully treated humans on the road, at-least in India.

I would love to see India become a cycle-centric country but I don't see that happening any time soon.

[vinya_jag]

Late into the thread. I was sure, before voting that the "Yes" would be higher.
But then was surprised to see so many "NO"s.
I can understand. If the same question was posted a year earlier, I would have answered "NO", with the same reasons.
But, now, it is a BIG YES.

The last few months have been a revelation for my wife n me, and my friends. We did 1000Kms of cycling last year (June onwards), and we have already done 400 this year, with a 100Kms one last week.

It took me these many months to realise the advantages. I have a road bike, and am sure those 15Kms of my office commute wouldn't take me more than 25 minutes. I am already sold, when my office resumes, how many ever days, it opens for, in a week, I am going to cycle to office. Start early and come back early.

Heat, Rain, Dust, no shower are no excuses anymore. Change your Laptop to a MacAir or a Surface Pro and you are sorted.

BTW, Yellow one is mine

[extreme_torque]

Voted no primarily because back home the offices are in no obligation to have shower facilities for cyclists and second, the most important one for me, is safety. I did not commute on my cycle but i used to go for group cycle rides starting very early mornings during the weekend. I had regular occurrences of nutters passing by a few inches at 80 kmph or so!

Riding a bike isnt absolutely safe in Melbourne either but there are dedicated cycling lanes for the most part and most four wheelers respect cyclists. I take extreme care when I am passing a cyclists when I am driving as well or rather any two wheeler, especially cyclists.

[DogNDamsel12]

Personally, no.
1) Road safety issues
2) Infrastructure issues
3) Personal safety issues (especially in India) - I would feel a lot exposed to the street
4) I cannot, anyway, ride a two-wheeler to save my life!

[Jeroen]

Ok, you open a thread on a public forum, which also has a Dutch guy as a member, you’re gonna get a lot of Dutch Cycling YouTube video’s:

Like our King and Queen riding their bicycles, taking their kids to school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI3RkICZn94

Or our Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, on the way to his work on his ministry or houses of parliament. He goes everywhere on his bicycle. He doesn’t even own a car.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Or our Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, on the way to his work on his ministry or houses of parliament. He goes everywhere on his bicycle. He doesn’t even own a car.

Well, here in India also some politicians sometimes do use to cycle to work. For example this gentleman:

https://www.business-standard.com/ar...3100026_1.html

But yeah, security reasons would mostly forbade most of them for trying this regularly. And I also don't want them to to cycle, as their accompanying entourage would make traffic extremely slow. It would just to more pain for the other regular users of the road. If I were, I would want all our politicians to use only helicopters or flying drones for their commutes.

[mpksuhas]

Irrespective of how much I love to cycle, its something I rarely does nowadays due to safety issues associated with it.

I am very apprehensive of cycling on my usual office route (ORR Bellandur - Bangalore) due to lack of orderly traffic.

Else in an ideal situation, I would not have thought twice to cycle to work (~7KMS)

[adisan]

No.

Safety while riding is a matter of concern.
Also concerned about the safety of the bicycle when it is parked somewhere. It is probably too easy to get stolen. Have heard of bicycles being stolen from the parking lots even in big apartment complexes.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Aditya

I have 2 bicycle and I absolutely love them. I use them for fitness, competition, running errands, sight-seeing and joyrides and cover more than 10,000 km every year. If I get a chance, I would use my bicycles to tour as well.

Attachment 2123331

However, when it comes to the subject of commuting, the answer is a big NO. The weather and dust are the primary reasons that prevent me from using my bicycles for commuting. The only solo commute I do is from home to office and back. I just can't sit at work covered in sweat and dust / mud or drenched by the rain.

Attachment 2123332

I have used all sorts of transport and covered innumerable miles walking. I do not consider cycling any more dangerous than any other form of transport. It's also far less stressful compared to driving in rush hour traffic.

Mirror your thoughts man. In a city like Poona, also, where traffic for the most part moves like water (choosing the path of least resistance, and filling every nook and crack), a cycle isn't actually going to save you any time.

Yes it's going to save you money. A decent packet each month if you actually calculate. 5000 bucks for me. That's a Claris CRANK and Cassette EACH month. Lol oh the possibilities ...

But the logistics of being bathed (not dry cleaned ... ewwww) fresh simply overpowers the financials for me. I have no hassles about a place for my bike indoors, nor a place with a shower and fresh towels either.

However, recent repair work on a key flyover is getting on my nerves. And tempting me.

Cheers, Doc

[shifu]

Voted No.

I cycle for recreation - early morning, emtpy roads. Have done many such 100kms rides.

But for commute, below deters considering taking the bike:

- carry lunchbox/laptop
- pollution/dust
- safety in traffic

[narayans80]

Used to commute allover the city during schooldays. Those days I had zero awareness how careless fellow motorists were.

Today, knowing the risks, I would only use it for very local usage. I wouldn't take it on main roads.

I do like walking around though.

[GJ01]

Voted No.

For me, 'short urban commute' would typically mean going out for an errand, buy something, pick up groceries, veggies.

A cycle does not help here as it is tedious lugging around your stuff. The other thing is also the pollution exposure you have when cycling. You spend more time on the road as compared to a 2-wheeler, travel slower - so end up sweatier and dirtier.

[rajk15]

While commuting to work by cycle is actually doable in Chandigarh because of widespread and well-maintained cycling tracks; thanks to a top cop who came here a few years ago . My only concern is how would a change of clothes be possible in the workplace.

PS: Govt. school student cyclists on the actual road (instead of the track) at 7-8 AM and 2- PM are a real nuisance, especially for car drivers .