Comment on Pros / cons of riding a bike?
hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 months ago
I’ll just comment on the con list
- look like an annoying dork (esp w neon - which also hurts the quaint factor)
You don’t have to wear Lycra to bike commute. Comfy shorts, T-shirt and trainers is fine
- have to wear a helmet (^)
Get a decent helmet, it’s way less annoying when the helmet is breathing well and sits on your head properly.
- getting sweaty, potentially “unpresentable” for work
Yeah this is pretty annoying. Best advice I can give is to have your stuff sacked into a bag attached to your bike (handlebar bag, pannier, etc). Backpack prevents the airflow in your back and causes ton of sweating
- still have to find safe parking
No comment on this one, as European I’ve never found myself in a situation where parking a bike is anything but fine
- still takes a while
May take longer but is 267% (I measured) more fun than a car
- have to find new routes to places
This should be a pro
- can’t listen to music or might die
Headphones with transparency mode on are great for cycling
- little meaningful protection against severe injury
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen seen studies suggesting bike commute lowers the chance of injury on average due to the health gains. Or something, not bothering to search for it now
- can only carry so many groceries/etc
If you plan on carrying a week worth of groceries for a family of 3, then cargo bike might just be for you. Otherwise, daily shop visits for what’s needed are fine with bicycle bags or basket
- sucks in winter
Attitude issue. I love cycling in winter
assaultpotato@sh.itjust.works 5 months ago
Only thing I’d say (as a cyclist) is that “skill issue” is not a great reply for all cases. My city swings from +40 to -40 and it’s not uncommon to see wind chills down below -50. Winter cycling is not always viable, which is why a robust transit network needs to include a variety of options.
Otherwise, this is a good comment.
hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 months ago
Yeah it’s a bit poking fun, but you have some extreme temperature swings wherever you live :o
assaultpotato@sh.itjust.works 5 months ago
Yeah that’s what allows me to afford to live here, lol
JJROKCZ@lemmy.world 5 months ago
Looks like standard Midwest USA temp ranges to me, we get all the extreme temps + natural disasters like tornadoes, large hail, blizzards, living near major fault lines for eventual mega earthquake, and don’t forget the gun psychos!