BICYCLE COMMUTING EXCUSE BUSTERS
It's easier
than you think to commute. To prove it, here are comebacks for
the top 5 excuses given for not biking. First, though, take it from us: cycling to work is
fun and rewarding. It's a great way to start the day, a fine
calorie burner and much less stressful than driving. Plus, it gets
you energized for a productive day at the office. In fact, you
may find that you come up with your best ideas
while pedaling to work!
 Excuse | Excuse Buster | 1. It's too far to
bicycle commute. I don't have the time. | This may seem true, but often,
if you analyze your situation, you'll find that pedaling is
possible -- even practical. For example, we know a commuter who
bikes ten miles each way to work who says that it takes her only
fifteen minutes longer each way. Plus, she says, "By combining my
workout and commute, I get to exercise 1¼ hours per day and only
spend an extra ½ hour to do it! Moreover, my car insurance gives me
a rate discount of $160 per year to ride!" Keep in mind that by
avoiding stop-and-go traffic you can make excellent time on a
bicycle. You might also consider driving part way to work, parking,
and biking the rest of the way. This saves money, gas, and the
environment. And, while everyone else is idling in traffic
developing road rage, you're spinning along reducing your stress
level. | 2. I need to wear dress clothes
at work. | We know several attorneys who regularly
commute by bicycle. They've solved this problem by leaving their
suits at the office. Says one, "I just keep a couple of clean,
pressed shirts at the office with a couple of suits." Other bicycle
commuters bring their nice clothes and lunches to the office on
weekends, so that during the week they can simply dress
up once at work. This requires planning, but works great. And,
if you drive in on the weekend to drop off your stuff, you at least
won't be dealing with rush-hour traffic. | | 3. I don't have a place
to shower. | Consider a quick cleanup in the restroom,
instead. Or maybe you can use the showers at a nearby health club
(sometimes at a discounted shower-only fee). Be creative and check
out the facilities near your office. Chances are pretty good that
you can find an arrangement that will work. Also, remember
that sweat doesn't stink. If you're clean when you leave home
and you're wearing clean clothes, no one will know you biked to
work. In fact, if you wear the right clothes and don't have to
climb steep hills on your commute, you may not even sweat at
all! | | 4. The weather is too
rotten to ride my bike. | Regular cyclists know that there's no
such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. If you dress in
layers and fabrics that block wind and repel rain and breathe,
you'll be fine. There are even special gloves and booties to
keep your fingers and toes toasty. We can help you select the
proper equipment for year-round riding. And, even if you decide to
bike only during warm weather, that's still months of not using
your car, which will save you big bucks and make you feel great! | | 5. There's no place to
park my bike at work. | There should be, and if there isn't, maybe
it's time you asked management why they're not encouraging
something as healthy and responsible as bicycling to work? After
all, they provide parking spots for cars! Bikes take up hardly any
space. Look for other areas in the building - a basement, utility
room, closet, garage, etc. Or try an adjacent parking area where an
attendant can watch out for your bike. Wherever you leave your rig,
be sure to lock it (remove anything easily stolen, too, such as
your pump, cyclo-computer, light, etc.). |
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