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  • I just read through this thread and it makes me :/

    I do enjoy cycling in london and I am rarely fearful. I say rarely because on the rare, very rare ocassions when something happens that might've been worse it right gives me the willies for a day or two.

    I think my continued enjoyment may be down to a number of things:

    • I choose to cycle. By that I mean I only cycle when I want to. I don't commute by bike every day if I don't feel like it, I've never been a hardcore cyclist of any kind or feel like I've lost if I don't cycle in.
    • I rarely have to travel in proper rush hour. While it's brilliant that so many more people are cycling in London compared with 10 years ago, it does make rush hour kind of horrible especially on the really busy (with cyclists) routes. I used to live just off CS7 and do not think I would have enjoyed that every day much at all.
    • I feel comfortable varying my routes and cycling style to match. (and to match my mood maybe).
    • I cycle quite slowly. It's just my temperament. I'm also quite un-competitive.
    • I've always cycled as a way of getting around (since I was 11) so it feels familiar and "normal".

    I realise the first 2 (especially second one) are not available to all. And the last 2 are just things that you can't control. So not very helpful to others... but I do think it's important that cycling feels like a choice and not a curse. I also think society's insistence on peak hour travel is such bollocks. Everyone is trying to get somewhere quicker than they actually can, they're grumpy and selfish. Life is so much more pleasant if you don't have to do it, and I'm lucky that I don't. Working odd hours might actually be better - riding late at night after a late shift can be lovely. But yes, cycling while tired is Not Good especially for a beginner.

    I also actually really enjoy riding public transport - napping, daydreaming, listening to music, peoplewatching. I have done the mad rush hour commute for decent stretches and even then I found it tolerable (train down every morning, arrive at KX at 8-8.30 and try and get on the Northern line along with the rest of commuterland...). So I don't know what that says about me. I do have bad days, don't get me wrong.

    For @Clockwise 's partner - if it's something she'd like to do but feels fearful:

    • As others have said just being comfortable handling a bike is important. Being able to navigate lumps and bumps without feeling the need to swerve around, being able to look over your shoulder without veering, being able to signal confidently, all that stuff. And that's just practice.
    • Cycle training especially if she is nervous about "road sense".
    • The other thing is getting to know the streets so she/you can find routes she likes and isn't bound to either the big obvious roads or the specific signed quiet routes. But as others have also said - it could be that she just isn't into that. I like hanging around London and I don't mind getting lost for my troubles, but plenty of people don't see the point of that and don't enjoy it.
    • A decent folder would give her the choice to cycle part way, or to cycle one way and not the other. eg. being able to go into work in daylight and get public transport home at night.
    • remember that 15 miles is a long way for most people (including me!). My folks (my dad still cycles most days to get around town - in his mid-70s) think up to 5 miles is normal, 5-10 miles is a long way, more than 10 miles is the kind of Cycling Day Out they phone to tell me about proudly and happens maybe twice a year.
  • I also actually really enjoy riding public transport - napping, daydreaming, listening to music, peoplewatching.

    That I definitely can related to, especially when it's not rush hours, not paying for the fare, and a quiet carriage (from South Wimbledon).

  • Well written piece.

    But have a different experience of public transport. Things such as multiple changes and dealing with late night last trains etc.

    Good luck @Clockwise

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