50 replies to this topic Post Order

[jmaccelari]

Slave, on 16 November 2010 - 03:30 , said:

It would be nice to see more people doing it though. I suspect that the average South African is just too lazy though.

I don't know about that totally.

SA has too strong a car culture. I have been insulted by two co-workers who were horrified that a professional like me could act in such a demeaning manner as to ride a bicycle into work. For a lot of people, the total sum of your worth is what type of car you drive. Sad, really.

[Lucky Luke.]

jmaccelari, on 16 November 2010 - 03:53 , said:

I don't know about that totally.

SA has too strong a car culture. I have been insulted by two co-workers who were horrified that a professional like me could act in such a demeaning manner as to ride a bicycle into work. For a lot of people, the total sum of your worth is what type of car you drive. Sad, really.

So true, people do tend to think you're a bit of a freak for cycling to a respectable job, but I think they're just showing themselves to be a bit backward.

Interesting to see how the Netherlands gets it right, with Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson doing their bit to catch up in London:

http://www.bikeradar...ng-vision-19827
and
http://www.thisislon...-on-the-road.do

Edited by Luke., 16 November 2010 - 04:07 .

[latrinus emmer]

Anyone keen to come chat about Stellenbosch's RideLife initiative, send me a mail at carinus @ gmail - we meet each Friday - small changes, but good ones.

Particularly Mr H. Simpson, ple bless us with your PM!

[cat-i]

jmaccelari, on 16 November 2010 - 03:53 , said:

I don't know about that totally.

SA has too strong a car culture. I have been insulted by two co-workers who were horrified that a professional like me could act in such a demeaning manner as to ride a bicycle into work. For a lot of people, the total sum of your worth is what type of car you drive. Sad, really.

it's their rules. you don't have to play by it.

[Grondpad]

Maybe we should start a start-to-commute campaign on the hub? This way it can get people (like me) to at least try it once a month. I have read on another thread a while ago, that you should just start commuting and most of the other things will sort itself out over time.

I am sure if we can start the campaign on the hub it will spread even if its just one day a month. Maybe once someone has tried it he/she will see how beneficial it actually is. The more people commute to work, the more the company bosses will see the benefits and hopefully they will then invest in showers, bike bays etc at the offices?

[stewie911]

Everyone was surprised to see me cycle to work, cause no-one else cycles and here I come with my mtb after a 35km commute.  Most guys said I'm crazy, but some thought it was a good idea.

My plan is to ride once a week to work. Not practical to ride everyday, maybe twice a week. Don't have enough time to run and go to the gym as well and work also keeps one busy.

Also a problem up in gauteng during summer, when there is actually enough time to get to work and back: Ride to work early in the morning and the afternoon a rainstorm hits. Now what? Ride for 35km in rain and thunder and still not get hit by cars and taxis?

Edited by stewie911, 16 November 2010 - 09:50 .

[Marlon]

Firstly, AWESOME initial post.
Secondly, as some of the replies mentioned, security and the fact that I need to drive during the day for work purposes, a lack of shower facilities at work, 4 bags of groceries on my way home and safety (since the world most oxygen deprived morons owns cars in cape town), prevents me from doing this.

But don't get me wrong, if I could I would, I am one of the first people in the small crowd cheering for the oil resources of the world to dry up.

Anyway, keep doing things like that email, perhaps next time we should organize a meeting with mr 'suck the fat from the tax' politician, instead of an email. Shame, you must have really hurt his feelings by introducing him to the word "exercise".

Count me in for any initiatives, will support where I can.

PS: why do 99% of the LBS staff in my area (brackenfell/Durbanville/Bellville) drive to work in polluting Vito's and V8's? Cycle boys, hypocrisy is energy wasting.

[Marlon]

jmaccelari, on 16 November 2010 - 03:53 , said:

I don't know about that totally.

SA has too strong a car culture. I have been insulted by two co-workers who were horrified that a professional like me could act in such a demeaning manner as to ride a bicycle into work. For a lot of people, the total sum of your worth is what type of car you drive. Sad, really.

That's sad indeed, don't become part of it. GIve them the finger, or better, wipe away a tear for their empty, debt ridden, smallpox(read p as c) smeared lives. You shouldn't become as sad, by caring what they think. People are just sour when they realise that they aren't unique  

[BGS]

jmaccelari, on 16 November 2010 - 03:53 , said:

I don't know about that totally.

SA has too strong a car culture. I have been insulted by two co-workers who were horrified that a professional like me could act in such a demeaning manner as to ride a bicycle into work. For a lot of people, the total sum of your worth is what type of car you drive. Sad, really.

Being a British import to SA, i find this to be an SA thing. In fact i have been here 20 years and i still battle with the status issues people have here.

I know a veterinary surgeon in the UK (I worked with him for a short while) who works at the top equine vet hospital in the UK which takes care of the Queen's horses. He rides his bike to work every day and is an avid cyclist when he is not operating on a horse. He has his competition bike for non work riding, and his average commuter bike for work.

[kaliel]

Great post, thanks. I am very fortunate in that I live about 12Km by various backroads and trails from work in Cape Towns' S Sburbs. I commute every day and its a part of my day I look forward to. When the rain is pouring or the wind howling or I need to get to work without a sweat I ride my single speed mtb with EZ-bike electrical conversion (does about 35km on a charge, no pedalling required), for the rest my X-country mtb is the business, flying over gaps, jumps, humps and trails it's a real jol. For trips to the city I have just picked up a Giant Halfway folding bike (available locally through any Giant dealer). Average spec, pretty well rated,reasonably priced, folds easily and it rides amazingly well. With this baby I can zip down to the metro, catch the train into town, do my business with no parking hassles and get home for a couple of bucks. Folding bikes are also great for any travel as they fit into the boot or checked luggage on the plane and you have a pretty decent ride on the other side - I would recommend one for anyone who travels a lot - especially to big cities around the world where getting around becomes real fun. Regarding local infrastructure the CT City must be commended - the new BRT system is designed around biking with dedicated cycle lanes and buses that are bike friendly - I just wonder sometimes where all the other cyclists are?

[covie]

I say give us his e-mail addy we can all send him a nice personalized letter asking him to install cycling routes.

[siamesekatz]

Just started commuting 10ks both ways; feeling iree

[Riaan Coetzee]

Cassie, on 11 November 2010 - 08:40 , said:

In SA we will always struggle to get bicycle commuting on the go

Maybe you've been looking at the wrong roads ... I see a TON of commuters every day on their bikes. What I don;t see a lot of, is (dare I say it) white middle class persons cycling to work.

camo, on 11 November 2010 - 09:51 , said:

if the rain catches you , you can only get so wet , then it dont matter anymore :-)

+10 000 - Nat is nat

[zeabre]

In this context, what would your definition of white middleclass be? If you're implying people with other means of transport, ie car choosing to commute to work by bike, then I'm proud to be one, and so would be the app 60% of people riding on the cycle path each day?

[Riaan Coetzee]

zeabre, yes I'm referring to people who own a car and still cycle to work. I'm also one. I see quite a few of those every day, but I see TONS of people that you simply know don't own a car. I'm in Pretoria ... no cycle paths to speak of at all.

It would be awesome if more people left the car at home and pedal to work

[ridin dirty]

Cycling to work for me is round the block and back.
muhahahaha
(love working from home)