Author: Christina

Switch your thinking: Speed date an E-bike

For the last twelve months we’ve been part of Switch your Thinking and it’s been such an amazing experience. Switch your Thinking is a project initiated by the RAC and run by the City of Gosnells that sees a fleet of four e-bicycles being supplied to different local governments for a specified period of time, usually for a month.

The goal of the project is for the participating local governments to trial how staff respond to e-bicycles and whether they are used to replace short car trip. Different cities amend the framework to suit their goals – some allowed staff to take the bicycles home and use them for commutes, some enabled people to take them home over the weekend and allowed private use whereas others were keen to focus on work trips only.

The parameters of the induction training were that it had to fit into staff’s lunch breaks and couldn’t impact on their service delivery. With this in mind we’ve developed a very short and sweet training concept the “Speed date an E-bike” focusing on the elementary aspects of using the features of e-bikes effectively and safely.

Providing staff with an induction in such a short time frame is challenging from a trainer point of view, but the results of the training are instantaneous: there’s not a single group we’ve trained that didn’t whoop and cheer as soon as the pedal assist kicked in. There is something magical about discovering how easy it is to ride an e-bike and what options suddenly open up. Staff who work in the field suddenly realise they could simply ride to their locations instead of driving, or commutes could become feasible to travel by bike.

For local governments’ trialling the use of e-bikes without having to commit to purchase equipment is a low-risk, low cost project and can build a compelling case for future projects. With Switch your thinking coming to a close soon revisiting the data and measuring the outcomes will be interesting.

As a training provider it’s been an exciting challenge to work within the time constraints and developing a training session which is providing the most essential information and is fun and accessible.

Have you been part of Switch your Thinking? If so, let us if and how the project has affected you, we’d love to hear your story!

Christina buys a tent: more experiences in quaxing

I’ve learned two things on the weekend.

  1. A lot can be accomplished in a dress [or, insert any other garment that is generally considered only suitable for looking pretty] and
  2. One must know the the word  “quaxing”.

After my recent post on transporting things on bikes I was keen to share my latest experience with Jillian, who writes on this blog too. Jillian knows everything – especially when it concerns dresses, bikes and social media.  She loved my story, because it contained dresses and bikes and she introduced me to quaxing, which I know now translates “to shop,  in the western world, by means of walking, cycling or public transit”. Apparently I missed the twitter row in 2015 about whether people shop by bike and public transport or not. It’s a shame, because I would have loved to add my two cents worth. As social media has the longevity of a mayfly I’m basically reaching back into the archives and add some more fodder to the topic that is quaxing.

So. Last weekend I decided to buy a tent. Not just any tent. I decided that the humongous six people sleeping Spinifex Huon was EXACTLY what a couple with dog (by dog I really mean “tiny pooch”) needed for a weekend away – the verdict whether this purchase was wise is still out. But: it was on special. How can one resist?

My Saturday started with a semi-work function at part the Perth Writers Festival at the University of Western Australia. If you’re not from Perth: this venue is notorious for expensive, limited parking and best, if not solely, accessible by bus.

Picture crystal blue skies, sizzling summer heat, I’m strutting along in a flattering wrap-dress. On my way to the bus stop after the function I’m thinking, ‘Well, it’s now close to 40 degrees and not even noon yet. Do I want to catch the bus to Innaloo, pick-up the tent and then bus, train and bike the package home to Fremantle? But yes, of course I do. Not only am I half-way there already, it’s also on special. Who knows whether any will be left tomorrow?’

So, off I go and hop on the bus to Innaloo and do what I do best on public transport: relax and listen to music. I arrive at the outdoor shop and ask for the tent. The friendly shop attendant hauls my parcel onto the front counter. It is not just a cute box. It’s THE MOTHER OF A TENT: a 13.7kg bag, which from hereon I will refer to as ‘the mother’. I gulp and reconsider the parameters of my adventure: a big box, a girl in a dress, a bus, a train and a bicycle. I’m thinking, ‘Well, I could leave ‘the mother’ at the shop and come back tomorrow. But I’m already here and it’s on special!” So I pay and haul ‘the mother’ to the bus stop to start my journey home.

The great thing about public transport is, once you’re on it, your work is accomplished. So, I sit, relax and listen to more music. The bus I’m on will go all the way to the Fremantle train station, but if I change on to the train half-way, I’ll save about twenty minutes. It’s basically public transport on special – do you see a pattern here? I’m also considering poochy at home, who is probably longing for me so, of course I swap to the train at Shenton Park.

After a seamless transfer, I marvel at the ocean (another perk of riding the train) and realise, I have actually no idea of how to attach ‘the mother’ to my bicycle. In wise anticipation I packed three straps, but I have no clue how to use them. Vivid childhood memories of teddies and bags resurface that I had tried to transport on my treadlie only to realise they had either disappeared along the journey and worse, flipped off and almost taken me with them. I’m thinking ‘the mother’ is not to be reckoned with, a fluffy toy she aint! If the box moves or tips only slightly there’s no doubt I will come off my bike.

But that’s okay, because the great thing about public transport and smart phones is that I’ve got space and time to research the best approach to my next phase of getting home. I google “How to strap a box on your bike rack”, because everything has already been done and documented. And it has. I find this excellent forum in which ‘freiheit’, a forum user, has taken the time to explain EXACTLY how to do what I’m about to do. Because I’m a visual learner I’m greatly appreciating ‘freiheit’s’ images of how to attach things.

Once I arrive in Fremantle I already know how to handle ‘the mother’. Freiheit recommends having a second person on hand to load the box, but using my kickstand is just fine. I wrap the straps around my rack, place the box on top, fasten the straps, compare my work with freiheit’s images, jiggle the box: it’s tight as!

The extra weight makes the bike a tad sluggish, but the best part about my ride home is that I don’t have to lift ‘the mother’. She’s tightly secured and stays in place just fine. Who would have thought it’s THAT easy to quax in a dress?

Here is a photo of me – ‘the mother’ is lingering behind me, out of sight, but I promise she was there!

Me in pretty dress. 'The mother' is safely tied to the bike behind me.
Me in pretty dress. ‘The mother’ is safely tied to the bike behind me.

Your Bike and Transporting Stuff: Product Review

If you use your bicycle for transport or commutes it is essential that you can carry a good amount of loads easily. As we get many questions about what the options are and what works  best we thought it’d be worthwhile to give you the pros and cons – what works for some may not work for others.

You should also know that none of the products/companies mentioned below have paid us or provided free goods.

Backpacks

Packing your gear or shopping into a backpack is probably the cheapest quick-fix – that is, if you already own a backpack, of course. I’m personally not a fan of riding with a backpack as it gets hot and heavy on my back. As I have back issues and prefer comfort over speed I’ve always been keen to explore other options of transporting stuff on my bicycle and luckily there’s plenty of other options.

Having said that, anything else will require your bike to have a penny rack installed. For the weight conscious rider (that is the weight of the bike, of course) this may be a thorn in their eye as it adds a fair few grams, which means it’ll slow your ride down. There are lightweight bike rear carrier options available though and if weight is a concern for you than it’ll be worthwhile searching for lightweight options.

Also, your bike will need to have attachment points to fit a rack. If that means absolutely nothing to you, ask your bike shop if it’s possible to add a bike rear carrier.

Basket (on the back)

I like a sturdy basket (as you can see on the picture). This is a wire/mesh basket that is attached with four screws and holds a decent sized shopping bag, or a small Maltese, which is what I mostly carry with me. The dog loves it, but the shopping has been observed to bounce out of the basket, which is terribly inconvenient. A good bag prevents groceries from vanishing and anything else you might like to take with you fits easily.

But, there’s a lot of cons for me too. Firstly, I like to use different types of gear on my bike rear carrier and exchange the basket with something else takes a moment. That moment is usually fifteen minutes I didn’t plan into my routine and can be annoying.

When I use my basket I can’t swing my leg over the back of the bike either. Usually puppy’s head is in the way or groceries are sticking out so that I have to move my leg over the bike’s middle bar. It’s also not a biggy, but it’s annoying.

And lastly, similar to the backpack, the centre of gravity is quite high. That means, if any of your goods role or move you start swaying on your bike. Just a little bit. Enough to be a bit annoying and unsettling for the puppy.

As the basket is the only option for doggy to come along I’ve made my peace with the gravity issue and have looked around for a basket that’s solving my biggest issue: the ex-changeability. Low and behold, Ortlieb have produced a basket that’s using an easy clip on/off system. It’s just big enough for the puppy and takes seconds to attach and take off. Yay!

In comparison to my mesh basket the only down side (as far as I can see for now) is the cost. It’s been a bit of an investment!

I’m not a fan of baskets in the front as most systems attach to handlebars, which annoys me so much that I’m not even contemplating it. If you like the look of front baskets please be aware that any weight interferes with your steering and it should be kept to the absolute minimum.

I do love the idea of baskets in the front that are attached to the frame, not the handlebar, which doesn’t pull so badly. My bike doesn’t cater for those though. Similar to the back rack your bike frame needs particular attachment points to allow the rack to secure in place. It’s certainly not impossible, so check with your bike shop if you’re keen.

Panniers (detachable)

Hands on my heart, I love my panniers. If you have a bike rear carrier and you like shopping for handbags that match purposes and looks then you may share my love. I have a set of small and large Ortlieb bags that clip on within split seconds. They are waterproof and I can chuck in almost anything (apart from the dog). Goods sit tight and neat and don’t roll or bounce around. The bags have a strap so I can use them as a normal bag too.

For work days I have less sporty panniers from CycleChic. I’ve had different versions and all of them work well and look gorgeous as handbags. The waxed canvas bags are water-repellent and big enough for a laptop, if you need to carry one with you. The sizes are generous handbag sized and don’t work for a lot of shopping, but that’s when my sporty versions help out.

What I love most about panniers is that no matter how heavy your load, the low centre of gravity means that your ride gets smoother and more stable. My biggest ‘aha’ moment with panniers was when we packed gear for a weekend trip camping, loaded the bikes with at least 20 kilos of tent, mattress, food, water and other paraphernalia and rode down a hill. Zooom! Yes, it’s weight you have to push up, but once your going it’s such a lovely sensation to just cruise and feel the weight working in your favour.

I don’t own permanent panniers. That’s a version that is attached to your penny rack and stays on. You can throw your gear in or put it in bags that you take out and with you when you’ve parked your bike. I personally prefer flexibility and changing things around, though I have seen very pretty versions that made me contemplate a purchase.

The downside of panniers? They’re not cheap and you need a bike rear carrier.

What is your favourite way of carrying your stuff with you?

Barrack Square Ice-Cream Kiosk Offer

Riding along the Swan River is GORGEOUS and perfect for a family day out, group ride or solo trips. Frolicking dolphins, soothing parks and the marvellous scenery of the river – why wouldn’t you want to explore the shared paths along the area?

The new Elisabeth Keys development is worthwhile checking out too and while you’re there we’d like to pass on an offer from the Barrack Square Ice-Cream Kiosk, which is tucked between the Lucky Shag and Halo, which form the Old Perth Port to the East of the Bell Tower.

If none of these locations mean anything to you then it’s high time to venture into town. But, back to the offer: Print the above voucher and get 10% off of your next purchase over $5. Yay!

Glendale Primary: Getting Kids to Ride to School

Glendale Primary School in the northern suburbs of Perth is, probably like many other primary schools around town, nestled into quiet suburbia surrounded by quiet streets, parkland and ovals. One look and it’s clear: this location is pure bliss for anyone keen to ride to school.

Which is why it wasn’t a surprise that the bike parking area was filled to the brim with all sized, shaped and coloured bicycles on our recent visit to the school to teach bicycle skills. Or was it? The PE teacher Tanya, who had previously invited us to run the course, said otherwise. Usually not that many children ride to school and it was the fact that the she had organised the training that suddenly everybody rode to school. We like it!

Interestingly our visit was targeting the years 4, 5 and 6 how to ride safely wouldn’t have been unusual. But the racks were STACKED with bicycles and even the younger years, who didn’t even participate in the bicycle classes, were riding to school. All because they heard about the training.

So why is it even necessary to do bicycle education at school when everybody is already riding? Firstly, it is necessary because usually kids aren’t riding to school. The average distance primary school aged children travel from home to school is 4 kilometres or less. An easy distance to travel by bike. But by car it is a blip on the radar for any parent who needs to drive to work. And that’s the core of the problem. The short distance in which you can safely drop of junior at school is just a small diversion. Why not quickly do it and make sure they get where they meant to go?

The impact of riding to school is immense: a healthier, more engaged and alert student because they used active transport, a student who took ownership and responsibility of getting from A to B, a student who is a lot more familiar with their neighbourhood, understands the risks along the way and knows which ones to tackle and which ones to avoid.

Tanya is on the ball and two years after we ran our first bicycle education program through the City of Stirling, we were back with the goal to equip students with safe riding skills. Anyone can ride fast, but not everyone can ride safely. Being able to control the bike in difficult situations, being able to survey what’s around you and make decisions on speed and distance is key. Plus, games on bicycles, which teach and practice all of these skills are fun.

Glendale’s year 6 students looked familiar, just with longer limbs and yes, they did still remember the basics of fitting a helmet, mounting a bicycle and loved a good slow race. That’s a lie. Kids hate slow races. But being able to ride slowly and balance on the bike is a fundamental skill and that’s why we do it!

The bicycle training highlights that there are always a few kids – even in year 6 – who have never learned how to ride a bicycle. With the training they have the opportunity to do so with a coach by their side, which boosts confidence.

As the students bring their own bicycles to school the training also points a spotlight at the safety and maintenance levels of kids bicycles. Deflated tyres, rusty chains and faulty breaks are common and so are bicycles that have become too small for the child to ride on. All of these discoveries, whilst frustrating for students, are essential to unearth, point out and flag with parents. Riding safely also means having safe equipment and what better way to ensure this is happening by pointing it out?

We absolutely loved teaching the bicycle training and can’t wait to be back. For those who don’t want to wait for their school to organise a customised training can enrol their child into our upcoming school holiday workshop.

 

Quality of time, or, less isn’t more. It’s less.

The latest buzz is to ‘slow down’. Metaphorical or otherwise. Wisdom has it that if we do slow down we “increase our productivity/health/happiness/work-life balance” – or insert your life goal of choice. Whether it is a meme on your social media platform of choice or a well-meant lunchtime chat, the sentiment is the same. Our way of life is hectic and stressful and can only be improved, our life amplified by the speed of which we do things.

On the surface there is nothing really to object to, really. Yes, most of us are busy. Our schedules seem to be filled to the brim. We chase from one commitment to the next. The to-do lists grow by the minute. We’re anxious, stressed, exhausted. Then we hear the well-meant advice to slow down. Breath. Be less stressed. Be more mindful.

Somehow this feels like adding another layer to the chores. A bit like telling someone who is close to drowning to stop worrying so much or stop paddling so hard, perhaps instead breath more and add a smile to your face while you’re at it.

While the sentiment of choosing mindfulness, of consciously living in the moment may have I incredibly positive impacts on our lives, its attempts to incorporate this set of thinking into the contemporary ‘busy-bee’ lifestyle has warped it into another challenge to be accepted and another idea to be marketed.

And yes, why wouldn’t you want to attend a workshop learn to be more happy, healthy, productive or connected to people around you?

The problem with the idea is the proposition that if you incorporate mindfulness into your day you can continue your lifestyle just as an ‘improved’ version of it when that’s simply impossible.

Let’s say I spend more time on consciously devouring a custard tart. I stop multitasking, put my phone away and really focus on the sweet stickiness on my tongue and feel the  pudding texture in my mouth. No doubt will I have maximised the experience of eating said dessert, which may increase my overall well being and happiness. That doesn’t mean that now that I’m more mindful I have the ability to now catch-up on all the other things I had planned on doing.

In other words, more isn’t more of everything. It’s less of some things. I’m consciously choosing what I don’t want to do and increase THAT part’s quality.

And that’s crux – beauty and challenge alike – of slowing down.

What on earth does it have to do with active transport? Very simple: using bicycles for transport is literally and metaphorically slowing you down. Yes, it is not as fast as a car (depending on your route, traffic and time of the day), but the quality of the journey is improved: your exercising, connecting to your place through experiencing the season, the weather and people around you. The point isn’t to be fast and the consequence is that, yes, I may have spent 15 or 20 minutes longer to get home from work/school/uni, but have increased the quality of that experience.

Living in a time when we can seem to purchase anything the proposition of willingly choosing something we give up and say ‘no’ to in order to experience, treasure and enjoy what we do have seems to be the biggest challenge.

When did you choose to say no last time in order to slow down?

Upcoming workshop: All about bike commute

Have you contemplated riding your bicycle to work? Sometimes trying something new seems like an insurmountable challenge. That’s why we thought we make it as easy as possible and offer you a series of workshop to get you into the right frame of mind.

Partnering with social enterprise Befriend we’re pleased to launch our Commuter Series, which you can directly book online. Pick the topic that you’re keen to learn more about or choose all of them, it’s entirely up to you.

The sessions will cover the following content:

Session 1: Road Rules & Safe Rides – Sat 15 October
This session will cover road safety and how to handle your bike (such as mounting, dismounting, breaking, gears and helmet use). We’ll also practice bike balance, riding with one hand, looking over the shoulder and overtaking.

Session 2: Commuting Kick-Start – Sat 22 October
Think about your needs in regards to your bike: which type would suit you best, and will it need much storage capacity? This session will cover trip planning; assess your skills and fitness; and strategies for shortening rides. We will also revise using gears and why they are key to riding longer routes.

Session 3: Bike Checks & Fixes – Sat 29 October
Learn about key safety requirements of your bike (such as breaks, seat position, chain, and tires). You’ll be taught some DIY quick fixes on the road (replacing the chain, fixing a flat) and what issues require urgent mechanical attention.

Session 4: Commuting Test Ride – Sat 5 November
Combining all the knowledge we’ve learnt from the past three session, we’ll do a medium length test ride, and if possible pick one of your chosen riding routes!

Review: E-bikes share system in Wedel, Germany

You may have read about my newly kindled love for bike share systems. Hamburg’s citybike wasn’t the only project that made my heart flutter: In Wedel, a tranquil little city of Hamburg’s outskirts, we HAD to try the local bike share system. Why was it different to Hamburg’s citybike, you wonder? Well, there you see the boundaries of local government, literally. Wedel belongs to a different local government area, hence they opted for a different bike share system.

Here a quick review:

The excellent aspects of Wedel’s bike share:

  • This system provides E-bikes, which come with a number of advantages. Hire bicycles cater for normal sized people and anyone bigger (like my partner) than normal will find the bike fit is less than desirable. Imagine yourself borrowing the bike of a five-year old and you’ll get close to my partner’s sensation on a regular bike. While it would have been hard to pedal a small bike, the pedal assist on an e-bike compensated and provided comfort.
  • Wedel is flat as a pancake, but windy as. Again, the e-bikes enabled us to travel without kicking up a sweat. Our goal was to get around in comfort and site-see, which we were able to achieve. I might add, the sleek sit-up style made it VERY comfortable.
  • The self-serve vending machine was easy to use (despite a little paper-dispenser hiccup), accepted credit cards and made picking-up and returning the bike a breeze.
  • Access to the share system was easy: the bike boxes were 20 meters away from the train station and bus port so it was super easy to combine trips with public transport.

The challenges of Wedel’s bike share:

  • We hired the bicycles for two days and by the time we returned our trusted treadlies, both of the bikes’ batteries were starting to run low. While that worked out well for us I wondered how to charge the batteries? One of the options was to hire the bicycles for an entire week – surely you would need a charger cable or replacement battery for the entire time?
  • The system was easy to use, but I couldn’t find any options for regular users like customer cards.
  • The number of access and return points were limited to a few local government run spots (leisure centre and train stations were the ones I came across). Limiting the no doubt expensive infrastructure also limits the use.

If the city’s objective was to provide alternative transport to visitors and tourists then this goal was achieved. We were happy customers and would recommend a trip around town by bike to anyone. Whether this system supports locals’ short trips around town is questionable.

Have you used and e-bike share system? What was your experience?

Bike Share: when it’s done well

What is Bike share? Bike share systems are local government run provisions of bicycles (free or at low cost) supporting a city’s transport system. Such a system works alongside a network of buses, trains, trams, taxi/uber and private vehicles and provide people a way of getting around town without. The nature of trips are usually short and bike shares fills specific needs for users to get around town. Of course, the idea is to get people active, minimise their carbon footprint and alleviating congestion.

Many local government authorities around Australia are playing with the idea of implementing these systems. Advocates and critics cast their eyes to Melbourne and Adelaide where bike shares have been implemented. Running a successful bike share systems contains more than simply buying a bunch of bicycles, locking them at the nearest corner and waiting for people to do their thing. Risk adverse councils like to point to lack of infrastructure and costs versus uptake.

The bike share debate has left me fairly ambivalent in the past for various reasons: my bicycle is dear to me (I’ve named it for god sake!), I plan my trips with my own bicycle and public transport, which means I had no personal need. Yes, I could imagine it may be useful, but as neither Perth nor Fremantle have a bike share I also couldn’t imagine what it would be like with one. You don’t miss what you don’t have.

Well, this all was meant to change on my last stint to Europe.

What are all those red bicycles about, I wondered while doing the tourist shuffle through Hamburg and Berlin. In both cities people were zapping around town on fire engine red “StadtRAD” (Citybike) branded treadlies. Train station exits donned bicycle racks with parked citybikes waiting for their next user. I had to find out more about it.

Hamburg’s bike share website explains how it works: first 30 minutes are free, hire and return your bicycle at any station you like – where are the stations? Well, where AREN’T the stations? There is hundreds of them scattered around town!

Perfect for tourists, I thought. Yes, but actually, perfect for anyone who needs to travel a short journey as the system is set up with customer cards, mobile phone access for very fast and convenient rentals.

It makes sense. The more you know a city the more you know exactly which of your trips are worth using buses or trains for, which require a car and which one you can tick of by bike.

Did people in Hamburg and Berlin complain about traffic? Oh yes, they did. Did they have alternatives for using the car? Hell yes, and they did! In fact, the single most complained about aspect of travelling by car was *drum roll*, you guessed it: parking! Any short, quick trip by car was prolonged by finding parking that riding a bicycle made more sense.

Have you tried a bike share? What were your experiences?

The 9 most common excuses for not riding a bicycle

Excuses, excuses. I think I’ve heard many of them all before. In my previous work promoting cycling for transport going to workplace expos and spruiking the idea to get people to ride to work or meetings was part of the job.Setting up stalls, pulling out banners, brochures, maps and the compulsory giveaway tokens also included the mental preparation: what do I say to people’s objections?

Obviously there are barriers as to why people don’t ride a bicycle to work. At the same time there is a need to talk about health and well being, particularly in the workplace – otherwise we wouldn’t have to have any expos and plant new ideas.

But let’s talk about some common (and some terrifically weird) excuses:

  1. The weather is too hot. You can’t possible exercise outside

Absolutely true that it can get hot in Australia. And no, you shouldn’t do any strenuous activities at 40 degree heat.

Let’s be honest though. Out of an entire year there may be, generously calculating, 10 days or so when it is stinking hot in the mornings already and doesn’t cool down over night. Yes, while outdoor exercises or commuting by bike to and from work isn’t an option those days, it leaves realistically, 32 more weeks to rethink your commuting habits.

2. The weather is too cold and rainy. You can’t possibly exercise outside

Said no one in the northern parts of Europe. Ever. Which have the highest bicycle commuting numbers in the world. So suck it up people! There is nothing dangerous about riding in rain. Unless you’re made of sugar.

3. The distance is too far

Usually this excuse is more a combination of people’s lack of fitness AND not knowing a safe, comfortable and relatively direct route.That’s understandable because the routes we use for driving are most of the time the least pleasant ways to ride.

So, people don’t know the way and aren’t fit enough – both of which you can solve in many different ways, for example researching places to ride online with maps and apps, finding a riding buddy who can show you the best route and building up the person’s fitness. No quick fixes, but if you really, really wanted to, there’d be a way.

The interim solution is to only ride part of the way, use trains and buses for the remainder. You can start varying the distance, get used to riding and building up your strength.

4. The distance is too short

Oh dear. You only ride for five minutes? No, really that sounds terrible. Better hop in your car and drive!

5. I don’t have showers (or change rooms) at work

Yep, that’s a problem, particularly if you’re other issue is number 3 (distance is too far). I usually like to find out how many kilometers work is away from home. I also used to have a tablet or smart phone on me to type in addresses in google map and get an accurate figure. Some people consider 5 kilometers too far, some draw the line at 50 kilometer. In addition to perceived distance most of the time people didn’t actually know the real kilometers – and why would you, in your car it doesn’t matter!

My personal distance – and everyone is different here – after which a shower and change of clothes becomes a necessity, no matter how slowly and comfortably I ride, is usually around 7 kilometers. After that, it’s shower time!

With no showers at work finding a gym or aquatic centre nearby that can be re-purpose to suit your needs is ideal, but not always possible. Riding part of the distance to reduce your need for change of clothes/showers/hairdryer/etc may be the way to go. That is, if you really are contemplating giving it a go.

6. I need to drop children off before I go to work

Honestly, this one always sent shivers down my spine. Not because it’s entirely unreasonable, but 99.9% of the time the person who I spoke to and who did the school run was a woman. I imagined the ripple effect on her life (which may be my imagination going wild): the type of work she does (most likely part-time, in a non-leadership role, little career progression in sight unless/until the children leave home), her health (no time for exercise) the other tasks she will feel obliged to do (shopping, cooking, cleaning). Blurgh! Not that these tasks are awful (wait, they are!), but the fact that it is assumed the woman in a relationship will do all of these tasks. Naturally.

So, let’s step back. We can’t solve all of the problems here, but let’s try to find a different perspective and start by asking: does the child need to be transported in a car? Can he or she be ‘vehicled’ in any other shape or form? In a bike trailer, child seat, in a cargo bike, or the child old enough to walk or ride or maybe get on a bus ? Which leads to the next excuse:

7. It’s just too bloody dangerous out there

Usually this excuse is nicely framed by a rant about “all these people on the road who have too little time, drive too fast and don’t care about anyone else. Don’t forget stranger danger when it involves children.”

Yes, there are terrible drivers out there. Yes, there are terrible people on bicycles out there. Or awful people on buses, trains, in shops at work. Some are your colleagues. Some are your family. They are everywhere.

There are also terribly wonderful people out there who drive, ride, walk use public transport. They too can be your colleagues, family and (hopefully they are) friends.

There are many things we can do to keep ourselves safe and teach our children how to be safe – these vary with every mode of transport, every life situation. Choosing only to drive because of the perceived risks of any other mode may not actually be the safest option, neither for us nor our family. Think obesity, heart disease, stroke. These are consequences and dangers of our sedentary lives.

8. The excuse everyone thinks but no one admits: it’s so easy to drive, why wouldn’t I?

I wished people had been more honest with themselves. Our world is designed for car use and honestly, people riding around town are only slowly entering the mind-set of planners, engineers, developers – and anyone else in the community, who hasn’t been exposed to the idea.

Our belief that driving is the easiest way to get around is so thoroughly ingrained that we’re happy to put up with traffic, congestion and the hunt for parking and discount the impact on our health, back pocket and environment as invalid.

This is one of the hardest thought patterns to challenge, but not THE hardest I ever encountered. The most terrifying customer I ever spoke to (who had gone through most of the above reasons why she couldn’t possible use a bike) responded to my question whether she might like to just ride for fun, if commuting to work was out of the equation with: “No way. I can’t do that. I’m having my shower in the morning already and no, I’m not going to have a SECOND shower just because of exercise.”

 

On that note, what was an excuse you’ve come across – or conquered yourself?