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6 Myths About Cycle Commuting

1. It is too unsafe. Yes, theres substantive hazard associated with pedalling. Riders do crash and get hit by autos. But how unsafe is pedalling in comparison with other forms of transit and with our judgement of the risk? A less than you might think.

Think on the maths of a corporation that carrys out safety and failure testing, once known as the Failure Group and now known as Exponent. The corporation looked at a variety of activities and calculated that the number of fatal accidents per 1,000,000 hrs of exposure was 0.26 for pedalling, 0.47 for driving, 1.53 for living (all causes of death), and 8.80 for motor biking. That is to say, they discovered that the hazards of pedalling were about 50% that related to driving and a 6th of that associated simply with being alive.

Sadly, the precise methods Exponent used are proprietary, and the whole report is not available to the general public, but believe us this is not a fly-by-night bikers’ advocacy organization that is cooking the numbers. As the company reasons on its website, it has been trusted to consider high-profile catastrophes like the destruction of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

So, for the sake of argument, let’s accept that the Failure Associates study is an underestimation and gauge another thorough study that measures the dangers using a sparingly different yardstick—the count of deaths per billions of kilometres moved instead of per hour of exposure. Rutgers University researchers who actioned this review concluded that, per kilometre travelled, riding deaths are eleven times as great as car occupant deaths. Seems pretty poor for cycling until you review what the same study found about walking. Walking deaths per kilometre travelled were 36 times as great as driving deaths, implying that walking is more than 3 times as dangerous as cycling.

That said, there is always more that cyclists can do to take accountability for our protection. A disturbing 24 percent of fatal bicycle accidents involve an inebriated rider. Research shows that bikers get into lots of minor accidents that could be prevented. Various studies have shown that the failure to use lights at night or a helmet significantly increases a riders risk. Finally, newer riders must be especially careful about drivers opening doors and making turns, and about riding on the pavements.

The bottom line: Its not that cycling doesn't have danger, but with some consideration is in required, more so when you begin to count the number of health advantages that cycling provides.

2. Distance is too great. The cycle might take too long or take too much out of you if you live more than, say, 13 miles from the day job. But consider ways to expand your potential distance. A lot commuters, for example, use folding bikes so they can go some way on a commuter train.

3. I'll need an pricey bike. Wrong. You should be able to come across a new or used bike ideal for simple commuting for less than $500. Find a excellent, local bike store with a knowledgeable staff, explain the terrain and length of commute youre considering, and they'll help you select the proper frame and amount of gears youll need.

If youre just starting out, you may want to hunt for a functional, commuter bike that has fenders to save your clothes, a kickstand, and a comfortable seat. And, if youre really looking for a easy ride, take a gander at the new class of coasting bikes that are designed to remind people with worry free recollections of cycling as a child. They feature pedal brakes called coaster brakes instead of hand brakes and an automatic shifter, and while they’re not built for quickness, theyre a great way to get back into the saddle, says Doyne.

4. Its not possible to carry the kit I require. If this is what you think, youre toting far more than the average person to work or you don’t have the right bag or features on your bike. A good basket or touring panniers will mean you can easily carry a computer, work clothes, lunch, paperwork, a stack of binders, and any other gadgets you usually take with you.

5. There isn't anywhere to change. Jeff Peel of the League of American Bicyclists states that most cyclists are concerned about this, but that there are plenty alternatives beyond simply showing up at work smelly and sweaty. First, check to make sure that your office doesnt have a full bathrooms somewhere. If it doesn’t, check close gyms or fitness clubs. Many offer shower-only memberships for riding or running types.

6. Riding will turn me sterile. This is a charge that has circulated since the late 1990s, and theres a kernel of truth to it. There is studies that serious bike riders may experience short-lived and maybe long-lasting erectile dysfunction if they cycle many hours on a racing seat that doesnt fit properly. But there are now lots of seats with specially designed cutaway slots that remove the pressure off the key arteries and nerves. As long as your saddle fits correctly and youre not riding as much as a professional rider training for the Tour de France, cycling is much more likely to reduce your odds of erectile dysfunction than increase them, as the exercise will help keep cardiovascular disease a large creator of erectile dysfunction.