How do I convince my girl to start riding?

I hate having to work out logistics of where I'm going to leave my bike and when to take it and when to leave it, taking it on trains that never fucking work in an attempt to travel with her, and standing shivering at stations and bus stops waiting for her to catch up when I'm riding.

Do I buy her a bike so that she's forced to take it up, or will she resent being coerced into it? The commute wouldn't be far, from Fulham to Marble Arch.

She's a bit scared of traffic but otherwise healthy and athletic - how do I make her see it's not so bad out there and a lot easier than taking public shitting transport everywhere?

I suppose it would be better to arrange a dutch city bike or something less intimidatingly masculine as a racer?

probably best to get her something like a mountain bike or something less intimidating as you said.

To get her on the road, maybe sign her up for a course or even show her yourself, ride with her until she feels comfortable on her own.

Cycle training?

But realistically if she doesn't want to cycle she's not going to, maybe get yourself a new girlfriend?

Fulham to Marble Arch can be done on all quiet roads. Build her a bike for Christmas.

I did it last year and now my partner has more bikes than me!

There you go looks like Tom is offering you his.

Tell her if she doesn't then you're going to dump her for a girl who does. If she really loves you then she'll comply. If she doesn't then I've done you both a favour. :p

i'd suggest she does the cycle training

it will give her the tools to make an informed choice as to whether she wishes to cycle in London

at that point you can consider buying/building her a bike

if she is interested there is a totally 531 thread started by an absolutely amazing individual on the topic of cycle training

https://www.londonfgss.com/thread31307.html

I offered to chaperone her for a few weeks of commuting both ways. I'd be stoked to get her rolling. I'm going to powdercoat my old fujitrack and try to give it to her. Reckon singlespeed and two brakes or one brake and fixed straight up?

My girlfriends got a 70s Raleigh 20 and loves it. Bit less intimidating I think and the colour coded basket helps with the sell. Also comfy upright riding position which is more assuring for a beginner.

Get her one for Xmas and massive guilt trip her if she refuses to use it. "If you loved me you'd ride it".

I offered to chaperone her for a few weeks of commuting both ways. I'd be stoked to get her rolling. I'm going to powdercoat my old fujitrack and try to give it to her. Reckon singlespeed and two brakes or one brake and fixed straight up?

I would be very wary about throwing anyone who does not ride regularly into traffic on a fixed bike with 1 brake.

does she want to cycle?

give her the skills first and then look at buying a bike, it makes much more sense than spending money and then finding she does not want to ride or feel safe enough

I offered to chaperone her for a few weeks of commuting both ways. I'd be stoked to get her rolling. I'm going to powdercoat my old fujitrack and try to give it to her. Reckon singlespeed and two brakes or one brake and fixed straight up?

If shes not ridden much before I'd say geared with two brakes - she won't thank you for putting her on a fixed wheel ride straight off...

She says she's not adverse to it but apprehensive about traffic.

as a girl i reckon get her a hybrid or mountain bike to start, and start by taking her on fun rides (ie offer to take her to things she likes by bike) on quiet roads to get her confidence, until she realises that it is the best way to travel! then she'll be hooked :) Then a cycle training course for sure.

I remember when I started commuting by bike i was really intimidated by domineering drivers, but determined to do it. it really helped going out with a friend who was really experienced a few times, i learnt so much and gained confidence. So just take it really slowly with her and be patient...

I built my girlfriend a bike, cost me a bob or two. She rode it once. I am taking the money back by slowly selling her jewellery.

She says she's not adverse to it but apprehensive about traffic.

do i have to suggest cycling training again?

do i have to suggest cycling training again?

haha, nah - I've offered it before but she thinks it's a bit dorky or something. I dunno, maybe she's just really not into riding and I'm trying to force it on her.

Just build her one with a flip flop.... Start her out freewheel then when she ain't looking flip that mo fo!!!!! I did it to mine and she loves riding fixed...

If she doesn't want to leave her alone.

do i have to suggest cycling training again?

Do that and I'm posting Danny McAskill

Get her cycling for fun first, if she starts commuting straight away she'll not be used to that kind of effort and will be more likely to find reasons to not cycle. Sunday morning rides for a nice breakfast, pub runs (cycling while drunk is a lot of fun) etc.

It's a bit of bad timing but if you get her started now, you'll be able to play the "nice weather" card from about March onwards.

One of our mutual friends, Anna, has just started commuting having been too scared to set out on London roads, speak to her. She had cycle training and slowly built up confidence, riding with others, going out on Sundays etc.

Although, winter may not be the best time to try.

I've gotten g/f a twenty, which she was scared of. Too wobbly on small wheels, and the thig was too heavy. I got her an old falcon bike and got some nicer wheel from the classifieds here, plus achieved a more upright position by getting new handlebars.

Made her take cycle training and the works.

She does ride it when it's nice. She also did the freewheel/skyride thing with me twice, and I managed to ride the back streets and the thames path with her. But the city? No way!

So it's always me cycling ahead and meeting her, or I take the train and leave the bike at home. And you know what? I think it's better that way, in some aspects. Ask yourself: Do you really wanna give up the only "me" time that you can get without being suspected to cheat on her?

coercion of romantic partners leads to trouble, let her make her own choice....

you could still get her a bike and she could choose whether to use it or not.

it will give her the tools to make an informed choice as to whether she wishes to cycle in London

Tyre levers, allen keys and wheel spanner?

I wouldn't try coercing your gf with a wheel spanner, the courts don't too kindly to that.