A new study, conducted to mark Cycle to Work Day on 1 August, has found that almost half of UK-based consumers believe that they cannot afford to buy a bike, with a quarter noting that it would take at least six months for them to save for one.
The survey, carried out by Cycle to Work provider Cyclescheme’s parent company BHN Extras, as part of its annual research into the attitudes and perceptions of, and barriers to, cycling in the UK, also suggests that the costs of accessories, along with concerns about a lack of fitness and “fitting in” with other cyclists, acts as a deterrent to encouraging more people to ride their bikes to work.
However, despite these concerns, the study also found that the number of people cycling to work is rapidly growing, with almost a third of those consumers surveyed commuting by bike, up from 19 per cent last year.
Carried out by BHN Extras and Cyclescheme, the UK’s largest provider of access to the Cycle to Work scheme, the government’s tax-friendly initiative which has for the last 25 years enabled people to buy a bike and accessories through salary sacrifice, the survey aimed to highlight how the UK feels about cycling and active commuting ahead of the 11th edition of Cycle to Work day on 1 August.
Gathering responses from 2,000 people employed across a range of sectors in the UK, almost two-thirds of whom were aged between 25 and 54, the study found that 49 per cent of those surveyed are not currently in a position to buy a bike outright.
A quarter of those consumers, meanwhile, also stated that it would take at least six months to save to purchase a bike, with 50 per cent noting that they would be most likely to buy a bike by splitting the cost.
Recent research from the Bicycle Association has found that the average price of bikes being sold has risen a staggering 26 per cent since 2019, with – as we reported last year – entry level road bikes such as the Specialized Allez jumping from £600 to £1,100 in the past decade, perhaps owing to some people’s reticence to spend their earnings on a new mode of transport.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, not owning a bike was the biggest barrier to cycling to work for 22 per cent of respondents, while the same percentage claimed that the cost of bikes and accessories acted as a deterrent for potential cycling commuters.
For those who don’t currently cycle, long commutes, a lack of fitness, and concerns about accessibility represent the main barriers to riding to work, with almost half (46 per cent) stating that they are worried they aren’t fit enough to ditch the car and commute by bike.
And with concerns increasingly being raised about sexist abuse and misogyny directed at female cyclists, the perception of cycle commuting being tailored towards young males who live in big cities also stands out as a persistent barrier to cycling, with 58 per cent of respondents believing that they “don’t fit the bill” of what a cyclist represents.
Nevertheless, the survey also found that the popularity of cycling to work continues to grow. 32 per cent of consumers surveyed currently cycle to work – up from 19 per cent the previous year. This percentage could grow further yet next year, with 34 per cent of consumers considering introducing cycling to their commute.
42 per cent also noted that cycling could cover at least part of their commute to work, and – in the kind of numbers likely to be welcomed by Cyclescheme – 67 per cent said they’d be more likely to start cycling if their employer provided support.
Finally, the research found that three quarters of those who cycle agree that they discovered several more benefits since they started than before, and that 47 per cent of people believe that cycling will have the biggest impact on their mental health.
“It is clear that people want to cycle to work and with it being the 25th anniversary of the Cycle to Work Scheme and an Olympic year – the timing could not be better,” Adrian Warren, a senior director at BHN, said in a statement announcing the survey.
“But there are also barriers that need to be addressed. Whether it’s the upfront cost of bikes, levels of fitness, or feeling like you’re not the ‘typical’ demographic, cycling has significant benefits from better mental health and less impact on the environment.
“It’s interesting that so many people said they would be more likely to cycle if they had support from their employers. There is cost effective support out there that can help overcome many of the barriers. Cycle to Work Schemes for example, are offered through employment and help to spread the cost of bikes and accessories through salary sacrifices.”
Meanwhile ex-England rugby captain, World Cup winner, and keen cyclist Jason Robinson added: “Physical health has always been a huge part of my life, but it can be hard to fit it into a busy schedule.
“For many, cycling to work can be a convenient way to build exercise into their daily routines. Not fitting the typical demographic might be off putting for some but cycling is an activity for all, no matter where you live, your age or fitness ability – everyone can make the most of the many benefits associated with cycling.”
The 2024 Cycle to Work day, its 11th edition, comes after a turbulent year for both Cyclescheme and the Cycle to Work initiative in general.
In January, the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) and senior figures from cycling retailers met with MPs from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) to make their case about the “need for urgent systematic change” to Cycle to Work scheme, arguing that the scheme as it currently stands is “too complicated”, damaging to retailers, and no longer fit for purpose to get people cycling to work.
The meeting came two months after the ACT and bike shops hit back at Cyclescheme, the initiative’s largest provider, for deciding to prevent retailers from charging additional fees on bikes purchased under the scheme, a move described by the representative of independent cycle retailers at the time as “infuriating”, “incredibly short-sighted”, and the “straw that broke the camel’s back”.
74 thoughts on “Almost half of British people can’t afford to buy a bike – and a quarter say it would take at least six months to save for one, new research for Cycle to Work Day finds”
Given that there were 41.2
Given that there were 41.2 million registered vehicles in the UK at the end of 2023, and that according to the 2021 census there were 37.5 million people of working age, it would be interesting to know how many of those surveyed don’t think they can afford a bike because they already spend a proportion of their income on owning a car.
Or cigarettes or booze? Plus
Or cigarettes or booze? Plus what price range are they talking about?
Research like this is
Research like this is primarily about generating publicity for the commissioning organisation – it’s probably not worth thinking too deeply about the results.
When they say 34% of people cycle to work (!!!) and the 2021 Census reported 2%, it puts the quality of their data in perspective
Yup. Several handfuls of
Yup. Several handfuls of salt for almost any surveys. Some you need more for of course.
I learned a long time back that surveys just collect “opinion”. But a lot of the time you’ll only get results from people who’ve got (a) a bee in their bonnet or (b) too much time on their hands or (c) both. Most people have got much better things to be doing!
Plus where you’re gathering opinion on stuff that people actually have not really considered before, or is actually orthogonal to their lives the answers can be pretty wild. And most people just don’t think about cycling at all apart from maybe the odd “cyclists in the way again”.
Consider – “Tell me – is the reason you don’t kiss marmosets due to a) lack of marmosets b) you prefer squirrels c) you’ve already got a pet …”.
Anything to do with the “why” can also net some misleading impressions, because a) humans can be surprisingly poor at understanding our motivations b) we can often be primed to describe how we wish others to see us.
chrisonabike wrote:
(d) HR policies.
(e) E.Coli
(e) E.Coli
chrisonabike wrote:
Obviously people prefer squirrels to marmosets – why on earth would you need to ask people that?
Definitely nothing to do with
Definitely nothing to do with our sponsors…
Brilliant ?.
Brilliant ?.
Yes that was the ‘fact’ that
Yes that was the ‘fact’ that struck me.
34% of people cycle commuting is miles off reality.
Pub bike wrote:
Doesn’t that become a bit chicken-and-egg, though?
John Smith already spends a proportion of his income on owning a car. He’d like to ride a bike, and possibly even commute to work, but he can’t buy a new bike because he already spends a high proportion of his income on owning and running the car that he currently ‘needs’*.
He doesn’t even consider buying a cheap second-hand bike because the media always tells him that new is better.
*Don’t let’s get into whether or not ‘need’ actually means ‘need’.
More general version:
OT but more general version:
Substitution is easier with
Substitution is easier with public transport…unless you buy an annual season ticket and then you have to sort out the timing.
I recall from many years ago it took me a long time to make the transition from using public transport to cycling to work because of figuring out how to deal with all the faff of showering, changing in the office, what to do with clothes, transporting everything including IT, getting a locker, building pass for the bike storage area etc. It was really a culture shift as much as anything else, and I was someone who cycled regularly at weekends and did tours prior to that, so for someone who doesn’t cycle regularly it probably shouldn’t be underestimated what the barriers are, but the cost of a bike might not actually be the issue at all.
As a matter of interest, does
As a matter of interest, does anyone make suitcase and briefcase for bikes now? I still have an Altura briefcase that took my laptop and papers plus an Altura suitcase – I could pack a suit that folded over neatly plus shoes, shirt, tie and wash gear. They went on Topeak rack on a touring bike. I’d ride up to 30 miles to meetings across London and be the smartest person in the room after others arrived frazzled by car or public transport and no shower
He’s probably got a bike in
He’s probably got a bike in the back of his garage or garden shed. Lots of people with cars also have bikes (often unused). Most bike riders also have car in household (eg children) or are, themselves, drivers (eg me having to drive wife and her friends around as she has injuries (hit by runaway motorbike) that restrict walking and prohibit cycling
Few. In London, car ownership
Few. In London, car ownership is quite low though you wouldn’t know it from our street. But we have mostly excellent public transport and can walk most places in 90 minutes. Out of town visiting friends and I’m usually surprised how unpleasant it is to walk, uselessness of public transport, horrible single carriage A roads
road.cc wrote:
Er, seems like this is perhaps a bit back-to-front. If anything, decreased demand (reticence to spend) ought to lead to falling prices. On the other hand, that reticence may be ‘owing to’ the increased prices.
“a staggering 26%”
“a staggering 26%” corresponds with a Bank of England inflation calculator average of 24%. Staggeringly similar. If only my income had kept pace…
Since second hand bikes can
Since second hand bikes can be had for as little as £0 if you look around the headline should be edited to include the word “new”
I’ve given a couple of extra
I’ve given a couple of extra bikes away to friends over the years, plus another to a scheme supporting the low-waged and another to my son’s old school.
I gave away bikes in lockdown
I gave away bikes in lockdown and rebuilt bikes owned but rarely used by friends. Then had to get a replacement town bike with fat tyres due to state of roads
Maybe. But it’s a survey of
Maybe. But it’s a survey of peoples’ attitudes, not of facts, and if lots of people (wrongly) believe that they can’t afford a bike then that’s what they believe, and that’s the problem that needs to be addressed.
Backladder wrote:
Putting aside all the
Putting aside all the comments regarding how many and who can or can’t afford a bike (in reality anyone who wants a bike can have one whether it’s bought new, used, or received from charitable source), the upshot is that this so-called “research” was commissioned by a company that has a financial interest in getting as many people as possible to repeatedly buy new bikes via a salary sacrifice scheme, within which they charge one of the highest commission fees in the industry. As with most “surveys” the organisation paying the bill gets the outcome they ask for.
Lot of people don’t have
Lot of people don’t have space to store a bike. Certainly don’t have space for tools and spares and have never had background fixing things. Daughter’s bike was taken by someone cutting the iron railing it was locked to (cordless angle grinders cost very little). She was house sharing with no space to keep it indoors. Now she has a house – 3 bed 19th century terrace, baby, no space to store bike or take through house that has no space to pavement. Just 80 steps to DLR with buses and mainline railway 5 minutes away… no need for car or bike
E6toSE3 wrote:
Alright, understood, but what’s that got to do with the affordability of bikes? Or indeed a bike scheme company commissioning a survey saying nobody can afford a bike? My life would be different if I lived 80 paces from DLR, but I live in south Dorset, no public transport worth mentioning, have a van, EV car, 12 bikes, a workshop, and space to keep it all.
The price I pay for not living in that London.
mark1a wrote:
Alright already, we’re envious, no need to rub it in! ?
And an incredible bicycle
An incredible bicycle workshop…
Well, thank you very much
Well, thank you very much
I would love to cycle to work
I would love to cycle to work but the idea of 20k down the A57 in rush hour terrifies me… it’s definitely the idea of sharing space with white vans and wankpanzers that put me off.
What a joke.
What a joke.
I spent £50 on a second hand mountain bike in 2011 which I use to commute.
I still use it now, and would reckon I’ve done 10’000 miles on it in total.
No expensive gear, just helmet, gloves, lights and waterproofs (which I’ve hardly ever use as it rarely rains enough to warrant it).
Anyone new to cycling doesn’t need to spend thousands of pounds initially untill they know they will continue and want to upgrade.
Excellent. I’ve rebuilt
Excellent. I’ve rebuilt numerous such bikes for friends and relatives… but cost to make them thoroughly roadworthy could hit £150 to £200: bomb proof tyres, tubes, rim tape, chain, cassette, cables, brake pads, saddle (originals often cracked), decent lights… add mudguards, rack, panniers if needed. Still gets a bike that pays for itself on most commuter routes in 3 to 6 months
I bought a new bike in
I bought a new bike in Halfords for 200 pounds. A nice bike for a 3 mile commute.
neilmck wrote:
Halfords do some great value for money bikes. Their ability to build and service them however, is dangerously inconsistent, so I’d get it checked over elsewhere if you aren’t confident with the spanners yourself.
Its utter bollocks of the
Its utter bollocks of the same magnitude as “cyclists fink they own the road” and “cyclists are the most dangerous thing on the road”.
If you can’t afford a bike, yes, even a new one then you are in very deep financial trouble and I would suggest that based on what I see around me every day, most people are not in deep financial trouble unless its entirely of their own making.
The average age and value of cars on our roads is insane. The amount of deliveroo drivers I see taking massively overpriced food all over the place is crazy. The number of people I see buying fast food/takeaway every day of the week is crazy. The amount of crap everyone orders from amazon is mad. The amount people spend down the pub is silly.
Its just another stupid question that has no relevance to reality when there is absolutely no follow up or questioning behind it. Thats like asking people if Brexit was a good idea and saying “Brexit was a good idea because half the population say so”.
mctrials23 wrote:
You are JD Vance and I claim my $5 😉
You might have to explain
You might have to explain this to me…
Vance is the intelligent
Vance is the intelligent version of Donald Trump, Trump’s running mate, and even nastier. Wonder who would have benefited most if that bullet had done more than nick Trump’s ear?
E6toSE3 wrote:
He’s on record as describing #45 as ‘the American Hitler’ and various other dismissals of his fitness for office.
#45 on record saying ‘that he didn’t know me and now that he does, we get along fine’.
So both put their personal pursuit of power above integrity.
As one commentator put it, JDV has no convictions but DJT has 34 (felony) convictions so some to spare…
The voters choice is dictatorship or democracy so choose wisely.
Dictatorship means no further choice as he will do whatever he wants. That’s it, you’re done.
Democracy means another choice in four years and no regrets. Vote ?
Fewer people than ever use
Fewer people than ever use pubs. Maybe those who do use them also have a bike. You don’t see those who don’t because they can’t afford to go out. Cost of roof overhead and bed to sleep in takes vast proportion of household income compared with a decade or more ago. I really didn’t think cycling people were as nasty as your comment, unless you’re being sarcastic
E6toSE3 wrote:
‘Cycling people’ come in all kinds of packages and flavours, good and bad, just like people in pretty much any other grouping you care to mention. Almost like they’re just… well… people.
mdavidford wrote:
‘Cycling people’ come in all kinds of packages and flavours, good and bad, just like people in pretty much any other grouping you care to mention. Almost like they’re just… well… people.— E6toSE3
True. Cos there’s been some really intolerant wealth-shaming BTL on this article, IMO
A quick poll here and 100% of
A quick poll here and 100% of repondents say that the survey was probably biased and the questions therefore shite. 100% of respondents in this poll also said they were struggling to find a pinch of salt.
I used to commute by cycle ;
I used to commute by cycle ; including the two – 20c winters, circa 2008/9 if memory serves. Not any more, no way, no how, never again. Stopped in 2018. Banana Republic roads full of potholes. The close passes just keep getting ‘closer’ and more frequent. Mind I do live in the Bradford Met. A group of Norwegians told me that it, Bradford , was the Wild West of driving. They are not wrong.
Most of what is written by
Most of what is written by the sort of people who respond to surveys is bollocks so we don’t have to waste much time considering it
wtjs wrote:
Agree – I’ve worked on training software before and when implementing a feature that allowed people to participate in a survey before and afterwards (voluntary) the PhD chap who was specifying it advised that the results from the people who chose the survey track would have to be weighted because, in his words “people who have chosen that are already predisposed to a different outcome”
I totally understand why most
I totally understand why most people would say they couldn’t afford a bicycle with the cost of living crisis which is impacting all of those out there who pay a fortune every month for their expensive status symbol lease car, not to mention the expensive fuel they have to buy , n order to drive everywhere at excessive speed for the conditions (and above their ability), on their way to buy a Big Mac family meal to feed their mobile device addicted children, who live a in false online reality, fixated with the latest updates from “influencers” – allegedly.
This. All day long.
This. All day long.
It’s not a matter of not being able to afford, it’s a matter of how most 30-40% (of the 50%) of these people prioritise their spending.
The bottom 10%-20%, i think are genuinely hard up.
I know plenty of families
I know plenty of families that are really struggling living in the estate nearby. In our club we support quite a few kids from struggling families, lending them bikes and paying race fees for them and so on.
NorthernRouleur wrote:
Agree with this and Disgusted’s comment. It’s priorities and choices. Lots of people don’t value a bike and have a false idea of what one should cost based on 20 year old concept, reinforced by the price for crap BSOs.
While many people are trapped housing and transport costs and (often lifestyle created) debt but even a fair number of people in your bottom portion can afford a bicycle. Having always been on a low wage, I learnt early on to live within my means and save up for things I wanted. I bought “expensive” Islabikes for my kids (which I sold for not much less than I paid each time) and drove an old VW Polo while other parents bought/leased shiny cars, went through games consoles, phones and other gadgets and spent far more on things like dining out, alcohol and holidays. Choices, choices.
To get an idea of cost I looked at Halfords hybrid bike prices – Carrera at £288-£400 and Boardman £480-£880, with 0% credit over 3, 6 or 12 months.
Sadly I can’t afford a
Sadly I can’t afford a Colnago C68 🙁
Buy an early 90’s Kona MTB,
Buy an early 90’s Kona MTB, put some slicks on it. Best commuting bike you’ll ever own. Job jobbed ??
BELIEVE they cannot afford to
BELIEVE they cannot afford to buy a bike.
Considering that all the advertising is for hyper expensive bikes and that they have probably never looked for cheaper options.. pretty much all surveys need to be taken with a pinch of salt, and an in depth analysis of the demographic and the wording of the questions.
A colleague spent £160 on a bike, new. Looking at it I couldn’t see any issues with it. It does the job for her commute and it looks quite nice too. It is when all the extras, kick in when the price goes up.
I would still say for most people it would be feeling safe on the roads. I have a few friends who bo longer cycle despite living close to work.
Emmm no. There are great used
Emmm no. There are great used bicycles that cost 100-150 and are like 10 times better than the best bike sold in the early 1990s. They can brake and shift gears like a dream, compared having to search with friction shifters. So no.
Emmm also no. We cannot just add a touch of misogyny everywhere. Women do cycle much less in UK for a very good reason. They are reasonably minded and seeing that the combination of cycling infrastructure, rules and driving can be very dangerous, for everyone not just women, they choose to be safe. They aren’t cycling not because they are afraid getting lustful stares for their butt, but because they are afraid of getting run over.
We men sometimes are stupid enough to cycle in dangerous environments because deep in heart we are the 10 year olds excited to ride and feel the air in our face. In countries with a good cycling environment, women will cycle too.
Emmm yes, though.
Emmm yes, though.
[Also, throwing a bit of casual sexism into your own post isn’t a great way to make the case that sexism isn’t a factor.]
Yes I remember this Road.cc
Yes I remember this Road.cc article but I have received tantrums, honks and swears from drivers of both sexes, so to me is just exaggeration. I think that any danger from discriminating behavior is miniscule compared to the dangers from motor traffic in general. I believe all cyclists face huge risks from poor air quality riding among cars, yet there are very little if any articles on this issue.
cyclisto wrote:
Apparently cyclists face less risks that the car occupants *. Yes, motorists are harming others through emissions but they may be punching themselves in the face. (Increasingly we’re noting the problems of particulates so this covers E-mit-elsewhere-vehicles also).
And the health differences are more pronounced when you factor in that cyclists are getting (even mild) exercise.
* Unless a new standard for car interior air filters has come in during the last couple of years?
Air quality inside cars must
Air quality inside cars must be indeed very poor. I have been to cars of many friends and I don’t remember a single one of them to turn on air recycling to prevent exhaust fumes get inside.
Yes, air quality may be better outside cars than inside. The problem is breathing under physical effort that you need much more air a guy sitting or walking.
Indeed, much better to
Indeed, much better to breathe each others recycled air instead of filtered outdoor air. Or does the recycled air go through a filter too… ?
No this must be even worse.
No this must be even worse. But people usually start from local roads with less cars and cleaner air only to get stuck at huge avenues. If you air a little the car and start recycling while still at local roads, it makes sense.
Both go through the cabin
Both go through the cabin filter. Get a decent cabin filter, I’d rather breath filtered outdoor air than filtered recirculated oxygen reduced air. It makes real sense. Most modern cars have pretty decent cabin filter, I can’t comment on how air tight car construction is though and yes, I’d rather see cleaner outdoor air and more natural ventilation solutions. Filtered mechanical ventilation shouldn’t have to exist, except in a few specific places.
Well firstly, that sounds
Well firstly, that sounds rather like gaslighting (“You’re not really experiencing sexism – it’s all in your head, dear!).
And secondly, even if it were true, it’s irrelevant – what matters when it comes to whether someone decides to cycle is the perception.
cyclisto wrote:
Ah, a man telling women that their perception of sexist abuse is just exaggeration. On the basis that…you have received aggression from female drivers as well as male. Not exactly overwhelming proof, is it? I cycle thousands of miles every year in the company of Mrs H and she undoubtedly receives greater levels of intimidatory behaviour from male drivers than I (I do accept this may be something to do with me being 6 foot tall and 85 kg whereas she is 5’6″ and 54 kg), remarks about her appearance, some of them overtly sexual (“I wish I was your saddle darling” etc) and misogynist abuse (just last week some charmer at whom she’d shouted “Hey!” for pulling out in front of her stopped and said “Why don’t you suck my fucking dick you whore” – unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I was at several hundred yards ahead at that point and she didn’t tell me about it until we got home). Higher levels of intimidation and abuse are a fact of life for many female riders, they are not imagined or “just exaggeration”.
Well said, a good second hand
Well said, a good second hand Pashley mens or ladies £250/£350 ! Ideal for commuting!
People saying one thing mean
People saying one thing mean something else, standard survey responses?
They don’t want to use a bike, don’t want to change, so they come out with whatever reason they think sounds plausible.
cycletowork scheme provider
cycletowork scheme provider finds that cycletowork scheme provider is the bestest way to cycle to work in a totally not fixed survey.
yeah right, are people that gullible they believe stuff like that. I guess so because it never ceases to amaze me how people claim not having a tax break is really what stops them from cycling
most real surveys about cycling to work, find the main barriers are really about secure places to store bikes at the workplace & home, safe routes to cycle on and perceived lack of fitness. nothing to do with costs of bikes.
I saw another report on this
I saw another report on this which makes me think that the question was probably phrased something along the lines “On average a new bike costs between £835 and £900. Can you afford to buy a new bike outright?”
Given that 46% of Brits have less than a £1000 in savings, the result is hardly surprising.
Weirdly, it looks like that
Weirdly, it looks like that number may have come from here, which is an (old) Cycling UK article in response to… a press release by Cyclescheme.
In turn, they seem to have got it from an Aviva press release (who are obviously trying to push the idea that a bike is a valuable thing that needs insuring).
And they appear to have taken it from a Bicycle Association report about how people were spending double the amount they previously were on bike purchases during Covid.
It doesn’t appear to be the average cost of a bike though – rather, it’s the cost of ‘an average bike’ (whatever that means) as contrasted to ‘a reasonably priced hybrid […] from Halfords’. The Cycling UK article actually states that the average price paid for a bike in 2020 was £332.
So all in all, looks pretty misleading.
If Pinerallelo’s, Colnago’s
If Pinerallelo’s, Colnago’s and the like have become entry level bikes perhaps they’ve got a point but my then brand new Decathlon Triban 500 cost me 6 tanks of fuel in my tiny car (probably 4 tanks in the average car) and you can pick up a decent 2nd bike for about a 1/3 of the cost.
You can buy a good second
You can buy a good second hand Pashley for between £250 and £350 that’s not bad.
Pashley’s are good sensible road bikes, Well built and good for general cycling. Is the problem too many people want top of the range racing or mountain type bikes ?
I get some jovial stick from my lycra clad colleagues who whizz past me.
Just get a sensible bike for commuting to work or going around the village or town and the Pashley is that , no 25 or 30 gears, Just 3 sensible gears for bog standard cycling. It’s a mode of transport not a fashion parade.
£250/350 isn’t bad for a good second hand solid well made bike.
You don’t need the lycra uniform of our racing colleagues either. Leave the expensive racing or mountain bikes to our serious racing or off road cycling colleagues.
Cycling isn’t expensive if you look around if you simply want a cycle for yourself.
Stephankernow wrote:
For many people cycling is an ideal way to get a fitness workout during their commuting time that they wouldn’t otherwise have time for with the demands of work and family, and so they like to have a suitable bicycle/clothing for that. Good solid well-made secondhand racing bikes are also available for £250. You do your preferred type of cycling and let others do theirs, there’s no need to put down others who like to cycle fast and get fit whilst commuting.
Rendel Harris wrote:
Very much this, Rendel.
I don’t have the time to fit recreational cycling / workout into my days unless I cheat by doing it while commuting, and ifI take the bus even for one day, I notice that it affects my weight and general fitness and wellbeing.
I don’t know if I am doing
I don’t know if I am doing cycling wrong, but I am on my third bike since starting commuting. They need constant maintenance- I have replaced both dereillurs the chain and the bottom bracket on mine and it still needs new pedals, headset bearings and new spokes. Getting it to a mechanic is a nightmare too- the local guy messed up on installing a new part meaning I had to pay all over again.
The idea you can shell out £100-£150 for a good second hand bike doesn’t take into account that if you use your bike everyday and it gets rained on at work then it will deteriorate.
Rankersbo wrote:
Well – yes, with a side of “depends”.
I’ve had a lot of mileage out of an old Dawes Galaxy – it had a decade or so in it before me and I’ve had it over 10 years. Taken all kinds of abuse / burdens. Cost me nothing …
… except that yes, every part bar the friction shift levers, the handlebars and quill stem has been replaced, some fairly regularly. Tyres, brake blocks, chains, then gear cables, cassettes. Wheels come and go (not always worn). Headset only once I think (probably should have done that more).
I stored it mostly under cover – did maintain it (though not as diligently as I could have).
If we had more robust practical bikes designed to live outside the effort could be less:
https://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/where-are-britains-practical-bikes/
… but for some in the UK they wouldn’t be so practical for their cycle commute. Plus they’re harder to find here, can be more expensive, mechanics may be unfamiliar etc.