Why don't you cycle?

[Trainbike46]

Often there's issues with poor policy related to cycling, however articles like this (arguing that there should be less cycle parking in London) don't help:

Office cycle bays risk being spectacular 'eco-own goal'

An industry group has warned that London's cycling policy is harming the environment, with too many cycle bays and not enough cyclists.

www.cityam.com

Basically they say there's a carbon cost to building cycle parking and this is increasing carbon emissions.

However there's a few things they argue which don't help their case.

First up they say the cycle parking is set at about 1 space per five people, yet argue this is over provision as only 32% of people live within 10km of where they work.

Given that 32% is virtually the same as 1 in 3 that's appears to be a weak argument.

They also complain about how each parking space requires 1.29 tonnes of carbon to provide, however given that these will be there for the lifespan of the building, the per km addition to those cycling is going to be low, even if the spaces are under used.

Let's say that there's 3 spaces for each cycle which uses them and the building lasts for 15 years and the cyclist travels 2km each way to get to work (all fairly low values). That would be 12,000km (based on 200 days of work) or 32g per km.

Currently a large EV but built in Sweden (where they use a green energy for the production) and charging from solar (so almost as green as you can get) produce 33g per km.

And of course, if you did a fair comparison and included the fact that the car would also need a parking spot, which also would produce carbon to construct, the bike would win by a massive margin.

Unless they're doing something really weird, I can't imagine a parking space could be constructed in London for less CO2 emissions per square metre than the bike parking spaces, and given you can easily fit 5 bike parking spaces in the space of a single car parking space, the bike would have lower emissions even if we only considered the emissions from parking provision.

 

[Krokodil]

And of course, if you did a fair comparison and included the fact that the car would also need a parking spot, which also would produce carbon to construct, the bike would win by a massive margin.

As it's London I imagine that the default assumption is that people arrive via public transport.

 

[The Ham]

And of course, if you did a fair comparison and included the fact that the car would also need a parking spot, which also would produce carbon to construct, the bike would win by a massive margin.

Unless they're doing something really weird, I can't imagine a parking space could be constructed in London for less CO2 emissions per square metre than the bike parking spaces, and given you can easily fit 5 bike parking spaces in the space of a single car parking space, the bike would have lower emissions even if we only considered the emissions from parking provision.

I wasn't trying to do a fair comparison, if I was I would probably look at a 25+ year design life for the building.

 

[MoominAndChips]

I don't cycle because someone stole my bike!

Again.

Getting your bike nicked is practically a requirement for citizenship here (Oulu, Finland), but twice?!

This place is world-famous for its cycling infrastructure, so there are no excuses from a safety standpoint. But since I've moved to within five minutes' walk of work, and the supermarket's on the way, I just haven't felt the need to replace the bike.

 

[johncrossley]

I don't cycle because someone stole my bike!

What sort of locks do people in Finland use? Do people always lock to a fixed object? I was really surprised that Dutch bike insurance pays out even if only a rear wheel lock is used.

 

[MoominAndChips]

What sort of locks do people in Finland use? Do people always lock to a fixed object? I was really surprised that Dutch bike insurance pays out even if only a rear wheel lock is used.

It varies widely, though it does seem that most people trust the rear wheel locks for something like popping into the shop. I suppose "safety in numbers" is the idea.

When mine got nicked, they were chained up, one to railings and one to a bike rack. Proper beefy chain as well.

My friend once chained her bike to a bollard and wondered why I thought it was funny, until I lifted the chain over and started riding her bike away!

 

[brad465]

Debris, leaves, overgrown vegetation are all very common reasons that cycle paths go unused. Other countries treat them like proper roads and salt/grit them, cut away vegetation and use small roadsweepers. We (usually*) don't.

* I have seen a small sweeper on a cycle lane and it stood out with me thinking 'is it lost?'. Not anywhere near where I live though.

I've also heard that since so few cyclists use dedicated cycle paths, a lot of debris gets scattered across the cycle paths such that any cyclist using it would soon get punctures, hence they don't use them. So yes, probably an idea with good intentions, but a waste of money.

Putting this into a more sensible thread:

As a prominent road cyclist this is one of my main gripes with cycle lanes. I would add that bike tyres are not powerful enough to scatter debris (being thin and are usually moving slower), so even if they were well used, cars and larger vehicles would still send stuff into the cycle lanes. In contrast, a number of cycle paths well away from roads, particularly ones following old railway lines, in my experience are not so bad.

Shared cycle paths next to roads are also something I usually avoid, because they are the worst of everything. Oncoming cyclists are a recipe for an accident, especially if a sudden hazard emerges that leads to one inadvertently swerving into another; I know a cyclist who has a metal implant in their arm after a bone-breaking crash because of such an accident. Then all the minor roads/driveways that paths intersect are extra collision risk points, plus pedestrians walking in the cycle part of the path, and the aforementioned debris being a puncture hazard.

 

[DM352]

We have shared pathways and they work when people play by the rules. It is 20kph and you ring a bell to let pedestrians know.

What does happen is people jog but many with headphones so they don't hear the bell, walk dogs with what appears to be a 50m tape measure leash and users going double/triple file with starbucks cups!

Of late there have been an assortment of derestricted e-scooters/skateboards with some users wearing motorcycle helmets which would be a cyclist hospital visit for a head on.

 

[The Ham]

Putting this into a more sensible thread:

As a prominent road cyclist this is one of my main gripes with cycle lanes. I would add that bike tyres are not powerful enough to scatter debris (being thin and are usually moving slower), so even if they were well used, cars and larger vehicles would still send stuff into the cycle lanes. In contrast, a number of cycle paths well away from roads, particularly ones following old railway lines, in my experience are not so bad.

Shared cycle paths next to roads are also something I usually avoid, because they are the worst of everything. Oncoming cyclists are a recipe for an accident, especially if a sudden hazard emerges that leads to one inadvertently swerving into another; I know a cyclist who has a metal implant in their arm after a bone-breaking crash because of such an accident. Then all the minor roads/driveways that paths intersect are extra collision risk points, plus pedestrians walking in the cycle part of the path, and the aforementioned debris being a puncture hazard.

I suspect that the move towards having more "stepped cycleways" (where the cycle lanes are 50mm higher than the road and 50mm lower than the footway) will help with reducing issues with debris in cycle lanes, especially as the cycle lane will also likely fall towards the road.

 

[Via Bank]

I suspect that the move towards having more "stepped cycleways" (where the cycle lanes are 50mm higher than the road and 50mm lower than the footway) will help with reducing issues with debris in cycle lanes, especially as the cycle lane will also likely fall towards the road.

The really good ones are the ones with substantial buffers between the track and carriageway - be they kerbs or rain gardens or even loading bays or bus stops.

 

[The Ham]

The really good ones are the ones with substantial buffers between the track and carriageway - be they kerbs or rain gardens or even loading bays or bus stops.

Indeed.

 

[aavm]

Why don't I cycle any more? Realised that undertaking lorries on Hammersmith gyrotery on a regular basis wasn't likely to end well. Not having a garage or hallway to conveniently store my bike. Too many crazy drivers around (Bad enough in a steel cage). Used to do one ways with trains in my youth.

 

[Bikeman78]

I have been meaning to post these for weeks. This is what passes for a cycle lane in Cardiff. Not too bad here in the first picture but still a bit narrow for vehicles to pass at a safe distance in lane one.



From this point forward, it's basically useless. They just painted the bike lane onto lane one without changing any other road markings, so lane one is too narrow for any vehicle without driving in the cycle lane.



The cycle lane ends where the silver car is emerging from the left. Given the massive wide pavement, the cycle lane would be better there.

 

[johncrossley]

View attachment 178334
I have been meaning to post these for weeks. This is what passes for a cycle lane in Cardiff. Not too bad here in the first picture but still a bit narrow for vehicles to pass at a safe distance in lane one.


View attachment 178335
From this point forward, it's basically useless. They just painted the bike lane onto lane one without changing any other road markings, so lane one is too narrow for any vehicle without driving in the cycle lane.


View attachment 178336
The cycle lane ends where the silver car is emerging from the left. Given the massive wide pavement, the cycle lane would be better there.

It is crackers that a mere broken white line used to be considered adequate cycle infrastructure. That was probably put in over 20 years ago. At least nowadays there is an understanding that you need proper segregation for a busy road like that.

 

[JamesT]

It is crackers that a mere broken white line used to be considered adequate cycle infrastructure. That was probably put in over 20 years ago. At least nowadays there is an understanding that you need proper segregation for a busy road like that.

Oh, I wish that was true. I give you this particular delight of a cycle lane, which was put in less than 3 years ago. The road is barely wide enough for buses to pass each other, never mind trying to squeeze another lane in.

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Northumbriana]

Not enough/any dedicated bicycle lanes.

No protection for cyclists from pedestrians and motorists straying into their path/into them.

I find bicycles such a faff on. So many gears for such little speed. I could also do with learning how to fix common bicycle issues.

I really like trail and fell running, but cycling would be good to complement that.

 

[Bikeman78]

I find bicycles such a faff on. So many gears for such little speed. I could also do with learning how to fix common bicycle issues.

I really like trail and fell running, but cycling would be good to complement that.

With the switch to hydraulic disc brakes, there isn't much needs to be done. The brake blocks and cables used to be a pain. I do over 2000 miles a year to and from work. Brake pads last at least two years. I need new tyres occasionally and new gear cables as I whip through the gears several times on every stop start journey. I can do that myself.

 

[Krokodil]

How often do chains wear out for you?

 

[The Ham]

How often do chains wear out for you?

Rarely, my bike was about 15 years old when it needed changing and in the first 18 months I did about 3,600 miles and it was outside all day whilst I was at work, over the next 5 years it was probably the same amount again and then then again a similar amount in the next three years before it then dropped off quite a bit.

Chance are it was around the 12,000 mile mark.

With the right tools and a YouTube video it didn't take very long at all (push on if the pins out of the old chain, un-thread it, thread in the new one, push the pin in to create the loop, fiddle with the settings for the gears to make sure it changes to the right gears).

There are training courses you can go on to learn bike maintenance, however I'm not sure how much more that the courses cover for the £100+ that couldn't be learnt from YouTube videos and a good book on the subject (although being shown in person is very helpful for some, depending on their learning style).

Haynes do a book on cycle maintenance with a RRP of £25, but you can often pick a used (one version behind) for under £5 or a used (like new) current version for under £11 (including normal delivery):

Bike Book (7th Edition)

Complete bicycle maintenance, Now in its 23rd year of publication, The Bike Book continues to be a bestseller. Compiled by a new author, this seventh edition is a major update to include all new developments in the cycling world along with a thorough check and revision of all existing material...

www.worldofbooks.com

 

[Krokodil]

I find that chains last no longer than two years. I probably only do 100 miles a month or so, but it is in a hilly area, close to the sea and I sometimes tow a trailer.

 

[The Ham]

I find that chains last no longer than two years. I probably only do 100 miles a month or so, but it is in a hilly area, close to the sea and I sometimes tow a trailer.

Being by the coast (salt) isn't going to help with the lifespan of chains.

Although if it's only lasting two years I would question if you also need to change your cogs, as they can impact the lifespan of chains.

 

[Bikeman78]

How often do chains wear out for you?

I had my last bike for six years. It had two new chains, roughly every two to three years. There was virtually nothing left of the second one when it snapped! I do tend to accelerate rapidly though, so it's no surprise. The chain on my mountain bike was a lot tougher but, having had a hybrid for several years, I wouldn't go back to a mountain bike for commuting.

 

[DM352]

Been through 3 chains in 12 years but most use was before covid before work from home. Had to replace the cogs once as there was some slipping.

Biggest issue is the brake calliper being too close too the spokes so putting the wheel on after a tire change is an exact science so no clipping sound. Reason is the brake callipers are double pin disk callipers which are much thicker from the original single as there was a design fault where they simply would not work randomly and one time ended up scraping a fence.

Second issue is tuning the gears to avoid the clattering sound of 90% cog engaged. It seems a moving target and the bike shop have been way better fixing that than youtube's.

I need to ride more but the amount of distracted/poor driving I see on the subdivision roads since covid is bad and really need to get cheap cameras.

 

[Trainbike46]

I find that chains last no longer than two years. I probably only do 100 miles a month or so, but it is in a hilly area, close to the sea and I sometimes tow a trailer.

Being by the coast (salt) isn't going to help with the lifespan of chains.

Although if it's only lasting two years I would question if you also need to change your cogs, as they can impact the lifespan of chains.

The difference in chain lifespan when I moved from Inland to near the coast was absolutely massive. I agree on the cogs, it might be worth checking what state they're in.

At the end of the day, chains aren't that expensive though so replacing them every few years isn't the biggest issue in my view.

 

[bspahh]

The difference in chain lifespan when I moved from Inland to near the coast was absolutely massive. I agree on the cogs, it might be worth checking what state they're in.

At the end of the day, chains aren't that expensive though so replacing them every few years isn't the biggest issue in my view.

Its easy to measure the wear on a chain with a 12" ruler.

24 links for a brand new chain should be exactly 12 inches long. It should be changed when it has stretched by 0.75-1%. 0.75% would be ~ 3/32nds of an inch. 1% would be 1/8th of an inch. Most imperial rulers will have markings every 1/16th of an inch, so it would be one and and a half to two of those markings.

Its best to change the chain a bit too soon. Otherwise it will still keep working, but it will cause the sprockets to wear, so when you put a new chain on, it will skip. The wear is fastest on the small sprockets. If the chain gets really worn, then it might also skip for the chain rings.

One option is to buy a few chains, but keep them when they are part worn. You can then reuse the part-worn chains with the part-worn cassette, until you end up with completly worn out chains and cassette and replace the lot.

 

[Krokodil]

I agree on the cogs, it might be worth checking what state they're in.

My previous bike did require replacement of those at one point, they'd been filed to a point.

I've tried to become better with my shifting to reduce the stress on the drivetrain.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Seeing some drivers antics around bikes is enough to put me off.

 

[BadgerBoy]

How often do chains wear out for you?

My chains get replaced yearly when my bike gets it's annually service. Mind you I cycle to work everyday so my bike does get quite a lot of use!

A worn chain will damage the cogs (which will then need to be replaced) as well as making it more likely the chain will slip when changing gear.

In the 9 years I've had my current bike I've generally had the cables and chain replaced yearly and 1 set of replacement wheels (as they had worn out!). Everything else (apart from the brake blocks which I change when required) is still original.

 

[SHD]

I have been a daily rider of an electrically assisted bike in Paris for the best part of two years. Total distance traveled ~20 km/day, plus some leisure trips at weekends. I live in the highest part of the metropolis, the plateau northeast of Paris, and my bike is a mid-drive, motor-in-crank type, so the efforts on the chain are higher.

Chain lifespan: 1.5 year, 4,500 km. It had been periodically cleaned and oiled, especially during wet months - the greasy fallen leaves paste is absolutely horrible for the chain.
Brake pads lifespan: 5,000 km. Actually the original ones had some padding left when I changed them, but given the minimal cost of 2 sets of pads, I did not hesitate.
The next part that will need replacement is the cassette.

 

[Rutland23]

Currently off cycling as I had a head on collision with a car (she was on the wrong side of the road)

Fortunately, only minor injuries to me but the bike is a write off.

New bike ordered through the cycle to work scheme, due next Wednesday.

Already 5lb heavier due to lack of cycling!!

Regards

#Ian