Research Question.....

[Lex]

I've been hired to set up a bike advocacy program in a city in Canada. We've completed one stage of the research and are now trying to uncover the barriers that keep people from using their bikes to commute to work. We're looking for general opinion answers....

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?

2) Why do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

Thanks for taking the time to consider and answer,
Lex

[stinkwheel]

[Lex]

Has anyone started out on a minus karma score before? *Hanging head in shame* You are absolutely correct, the first word should be "what." I checked the message over before posting and just didn't even notice. *sigh* It's been a long decade. LOL

Thanks for responding,
Lex

[McGee]

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?

Cheaper on gas, Insurance is lower than a car, and i enjoy it.

2) What do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

Weather temprature etc, they can afford the gas prices there wimps
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[veeeffarr]

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?

I couldn't give one reason, mainly because a) At the moment it's the only time I get to ride b) It's cheaper on fuel and c) It's quicker through traffic

2) Why do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

I couldn't decide whether you meant people who like riding already, or people who drive cars and haven't touched bikes before.

The former, I think some people have too much equipment to carry into work, and for the latter I think it's a general fear of motorcycles.

[instigator]

[Kickstart]

[colin1]

1) cheaper, quicker and more fun than a car
2) bad weather is less fun and being cosy in a car might be better sometimes if there is no traffic. People unlikely to take up biking if they think its too risky.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[G]

[Robby]

[Teaman]

answer to q1, i dont drive so bike makes sence, quicker (and cheeper) than public transport and cars

answer to q2, they have cars. weather plays a factor, work equipment, security, insurance, hastle of taking so long getting ready for a short ride.
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There is no point in ranting about someone stupid because there is nothing u can do about it. There is no cure for stupid.
Someone stupid does not realise they r stupid.stupidity is indistinguishable from malice U just have to accept that some people are thick as p1gsh1t and work around them.

[Lex]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to consider the question and respond. Your responses were awesome and will be be very helpful in the design of the program.

Thanks again,
Lex

[dodsi]

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?

I can get to where I am going quicker rain or shine. once at uni I can park on campus away from the back streets so my vehicle is safe and locked up. I dont sit in the traffic.

Dont drive a car so public transport adds another 3 hours minimum to my day if I took bus/train.

2) Why do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

People may own bikes that are not suited to be commuted on and hence they are toys which would be no fun to commute on. Creature comforts.

oh and not feeling the force.

[Liono]

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?

Well, I have to carry a lot of stuff into work, so the bike is impractical in this respect. I also have to spend a lot longer getting changed into and out of leathers/waterproofs than I would in a car, and the cost of consumables seems much higher on my bike than it would for the equivalent milage in a car. In the winter I get cold and wet, and in the summer I get hot and sweaty. Despite this, I still love my ride into work and my ride home. I start to get excited near 'hometime' as I will be out for a ride soon, and the ride into work is the only thing that makes the morning bearable. So, my primary motivation for commuting on my bike is the fact that i enjoy it.

2) Why do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

People who already ride bikes:
Cold, wet weather, especially in winter
The fact that you can jump into and out of a car without faffing with leathers etc.
Many people like to keep their bikes as weekend toys only, perhaps by commuting they would dilute the fun they feel at the weekend - the Sunday ride would no longer be special.
Keeping on top of the cleaning. During winter in the UK (presumably in Canada too) a lot of grit is used on the roads, which means a fair bit of cleaning just to stop the bike dropping to bits. Perhaps for the people who strip, wash and rebuild their bikes after each trip to the shops this would be far too much work.

People who don't ride bikes:
Well, I'm not sure if you would convert many people to bikes simply as a commuting tool, possibly scooters though (check out scooter sales in London before and after the congestion charge if you are interested). I should imagine that the people who commute on bikes are already bikers who just happen to use their bikes for work. I don't think many people will come into biking purely for commuting purposes. However, barriers to non-bikers commuting on bikes could include:
Cost issues of running a bike as well as a car.
Lack of knowledge, experience of or contact with the biking community.
Percieved image of bikers. This varies from bearded Hells Angel type stereotypes to loony wheelie everywhere at 150mph type assumptions. These are rarely positive associations with bikers.
If you are over about 30 and you buy a bike, people automatically assume you are having a mid-life crisis.

[NSR Mick]

i used to commute on my bike as it was my only form of transport, now i have a nice company car to go in

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

[Paivi]

[colin1]

i've had a motorbike for a year and a scooter for about a month.

Id say the concerns in the wet are different for scooter and motorbike

You dont get as wet on a big scooter with a big fairing, but its far less stable in the wet than a motorbike.

Id say a scooter is quite dangerous in the wet unless you ride quite slowly as the back swings out and loses grip.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[mchaggis]

[tintin]

1) If you commute to work via bike, what is your primary motivation for doing so?
Convenience, I don't have to leave at a particular time to catch the train, I can leave to go home at any time, and I often have to work late. I dislike the train, especially when it is crowded and late.

Fun - I love riding my bike! I can get home after a commute and feel in a great mood, I can also be in a bad mood if I have had a close shave or brush with bad drivers.

Cost - Yes I know the bike, tyres and servicing costs me a lot of money but I sort of forget that... The train costs £15 a day, £15 of petrol/gas lasts me for 2.5 days.

2) Why do you think stops people who normally might consider biking to work from doing so?

Bad weather (I don't ride in the Winter)
Clothing - you need protective clothing, helmet, leather etc, plus you have to change somewhere when you get to work
Fear of accidents in crowded city traffic - better training helps
Fear of theft - I have had 2 bikes stolen, secure bike bays with a bar at the back to lock your bike to are great
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The older I get the better I was

[Psychonaut]

1) Dunno if the "no filtering" law exists in Caneda like in the USA but here in the UK you can filter which cuts 15 mins off my journey to work every day and I can now park free of charge in the city (saving £4.30 a day)

2) How many time do you have to put on a helmet when you get into your car (gonna get some Arial atom or morgan drivers now arent we ) As said before its the prep work my -5 mins saved for getting ready

But its so much damn fun and thats what life's all about, if you don't enjoy it whats the point

[innominate]

[colin1]