What are the main reasons for why you cycle?

[JohnofCambridge]

To get some basic exercise, to enjoy the open air and (where i live ) hear the birds sing and also notice things either side of me, to do my environmental bit by giving up the car for commuting.

[Blew it]

Maintaining full mobility in the old joints.

Enjoying the constantly changing scenery of the urban and rural cycle routes.

It's peaceful, non-aggresive, stress free and I get to say "Good morning" to so many smiling people.

[JohnofCambridge]

Thats a really good point Blew it.

I now recognise other cyclists and they recognise me and i do get to day good morning to a few. I forgot the community angle - it is certainly part of it.

[essexman]

In order:

1. I love it (and i hate driving)
2. Health\free exercise
3. Commuting (more reliable than car\ same speed)
4. Less stressful than driving
5. Cheap transport
6. Morals (I dont think cars should be allowed in areas where people live, outside is fine,, but not in towns or villages)

[Jack.Eagle]

-pleasure getting out in the open air
-cost saving compared with other modes of transport
-Better than public transport in terms of travel time waiting time, cost and comfort
-Fitness
-Quicker than other modes of transport
-Environmental reasons
-Not wanting to use a car
-Easy and quick to use
-Seeing people on journeys

Many thanks for your comments and I look forward to some more!

Cheers

Jack

[carigada]

The main reason I bought a Pedalec was because we moved further away from the place I work. The total distance I ended up riding each week (+/- 150km) meant I was seriously knackered, and using the car more and more. I got into a vicious circle of more car use/less fitness/less wish to cycle. I am pleased to say that my Agattu has got me out of that, the only thing stopping me from cycling every day has been the terrible weather we have had recently.

I am also looking at ways I can do my bit for the environment. I have been a member of Sustrans for many years and have been looking for ways to use and expand this incredible national resource that is often overlooked.

My last reason is the unpleasant experience that driving on the roads during rush-hour has become. My particular hate is the aggression shown by drivers in this area. For example, I have frequently had the experience of being blocked from merging into a lane by someone undertaking me and then refusing to let me join the traffic. I used my car today because of the bad forecast and was tailgated by a lorry (so close that I couldn't see his headlights) for most of my journey home because I dared to try and observe the speed limit.

No longer! I have started looking forward to cycling again. I can get to work using Sustrans route 6 for 75% of the way and then off road for another 20%. I never see a moving car most mornings. And I save 30 pence a mile on petrol alone.

[fcurran]

Cheaper, quicker (especially in Bath). I also like to pedal so believe it or not for fitness reasons!

[wibble]

I can't drive and have no desire to start. It looks far too stressful.

I found traditional cycling to be too much hard work and very uncool to be struggling up hills. I think as we get older we become a little more dignified (or lazy?) . So I gave up cycling and took up hiking/walking. But the problem with hiking was that I grew tired of the same routes in my area and it also takes up a little too much time to walk certain routes.

So ebiking has helped to maintain a cool demeanor while adding more routes to my list.

I only cycle early in the morning (6 am) when there's no traffic around. I love the "I am Legend" vibe I get when cycling along empty roads haha.

I plan to get a GPS system soon and then I'll not have to avoid unknown roads and worry about getting lost ...and ate by zombie vampires.

[rustyrocker]

I use my Pro Connect for travelling to work. Its only 2 miles away, a journey I used to do in a car. Total of about 800 miles a year. The poor engine never had chance to get warm! so it had to go.

The bike trip takes roughly 7 to 8 minutes each way, compared to 3 to 4 minutes in the car, so I dont even have to get up any earlier

Theres no way I would have given up the car if ebikes werent available though. The thought of having to do all the work myself put me off.

Image was quite important too. A pair of prescription shades was a must, as was a peaked cap to deflect the wind, but i draw the line at lycra

Mick

[Andy Day]

I've always had a bike. As a kid in 1960 ish it was bits put together from various tips - there was a good one at the back of where Woolworths now is in Watford, we even had a a 350 AJS out of there! Nicking I suppose, but we didn't see it that way as 13 year olds, it was scrap anyway! A bike however was a great way of increasing your horizons, fishing trips etc.

Later I had a Carlton sports bike, as a young family man it was invaluable when the car was broken and I had to get to work. Luton to Hemel was a bit of a flog but acheivable in my fairly unfit late 20s. As a young family we all had bikes and would load them all in our battered old Mardon caravan and go all round Britain exploring.

In the 90's I bought my first new bike, one of these "hybrid" things, a bit like a road bike with narrow profile knobblies. Awful thing, weighed a ton and handled like an iron bedstead. It's now been shown the local tip.

But to the core of the answer. When I was younger I loved the independance and freedom a bike gave. But now in my early 60s it's a matter of neccessity. I contracted viral myocarditis 4 years ago. That led to a complex heart condition which means DVLA have revoked my driving licence. The only way I can have some form of independance is via my electric bike, although that still means a huge loss of freedom through NOT being able to drive! I can no longer get to Ivinghoe Beacon to fly model gliders, or fish more remote parts of the countryside. Neither can I take any of my Vintage Motorcycles to runs around Britain. At least I can get down the local town though.

So lets not suppose an electric bike is a complete substitute for personal motorised transport, eh?