Pros / cons of riding a bike?
Pros / cons of riding a bike?
apparently my city literally literally banned public rail funding, and people online love jerking off about how good biking is, so i figured might as well try. I have come up with:
pros:
- good for mental health / exercise / endorphins
- arguably quaint
- feel like an old timey guy taking his wares to market
- feel european
- can annoy others
- less of a police state around them vs cars
- more flexible parking, routes
- capacity to be peaceful
- nice in summer
cons:
- look like an annoying dork (esp w neon - which also hurts the quaint factor)
- have to wear a helmet (^)
- getting sweaty, potentially "unpresentable" for work
- still have to find safe parking
- still takes a while
- have to find new routes to places
- can't listen to music or might die
- little meaningful protection against severe injury
- can only carry so many groceries/etc
- sucks in winter
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From a European perspective (I use car/bicycle/train/longboard), a few pointers rather than a pro-con/list
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The more people use a bicycle, even casually, The more it put pressures on local politician to do something
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For short distances (<5km) in town, it's faster than the car
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Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn't hit. However, if you're in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.
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Beware of your clothe, if you wear black, at night, without lights, you call for problem, and I can see how even good faith motorists can hit you.
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Paint isn't infrastructure but at least remind the motorists that you have the right to be there. I can see how the mayor call the infrastructure director and ask them for bike lane without any budget, but it sucks
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Be a bit agressive, and look for eye-contact before passing between car, keep distance from parked car, they can open a door, If you don't think a car can pass you with a safe distance (small urban streets) stay in the middle of the road, and stop to the side when you can to let the car pass you.
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A backpack, or bike pack helps a lot carrying groceries, not really an excuse
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The problem isn't that much the winter (unless you live on a really cold place) but the rain, good clothe can help, but still.
Just wanted to comment on this bit.
- Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn't hit. However, if you're in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.
Gloves will save you from very annoying and painful scratches on your hands, but helmet can save you from becoming vegetable or dead. I don't think there's any competition for which is more important, helmet any day.
Still, definitely recommend both but at very least a helmet
Upvote because longboard
What kind of gloves do you use?
In Summer, I use "weight lifting fingerless gloves", it's very similar from "cycling fingerless gloves" but half of the price. In winter, I use "light" outdoor gloves.
Wanted to reply to OP. Moving my post.
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