Best approaches to use the bike more (utility cycling)

[AllRides]

There is a pretty foolproof solution for encouraging yourself to take the bike at every opportunity, sell the car. We did it 4 years back and have never regretted it.

It's always possible to find a reason (i.e. justify to yourself) to use your car, unless you don't have one. Suddenly the effort of getting the bike from the shed melts away, as do concerns about the weather.

Admittedly we live in a city and if we don't feel like cycling we have the options of bus, train and taxi, but unless it's blowing a hooley, the bike wins every time. We do have a fall back for the rare occasions that only a car will suffice, and that is hourly car hire via the car club. The reality is that we only use the car club maybe half a dozen times a year.

I should also mention that we are a lot better off not owning a car. It's a win all round for us.

Super tempting, sadly my other half is not approving of only having one “just in case”. It pains me because I did the total cost of ownership and… ouch! Shame is that the marginal cost per mile isn’t that much really but if you can be rid - wow!

[AllRides]

PS: trousers. A lot depends on a lot of things, but I’ve gradually defaulted to wearing trousers that are good for utility cycling as my standard items. They happen to be ones sold as “walking trousers”, but they’ve got the key ingredients: look ok-enough as ordinary casual trousers, ditto comfort, fabric is some very slightly stretchy stuff that is slightly water resistant, and dries quickly if it gets a bit damp, zipped pockets. Ideal for walking the dog too, of course.

My philosophy with clothes since I’ve no longer worked where I needed to look fairly smart is to buy things that work for both ordinary use and for utility cycling, that way I’m not changing clothes to ride a bike, I'm already wearing them. These days, you can actually find clothes that go a fair way up the “smart” scale, but which work fine on a bike, although the smarter things tend to get a bit pricey.

Thanks! That’s really interesting - any suggested brands?

[AllRides]

If you would be able to manage short utility rides without the electric assist, I would suggest you consider a cheap used bike which you might still keep in the shed overnight, but which you could leave outside during the day with a suitable lock on it.

A cheap used bike need not necessarily be a nasty bike: some very nice bikes from the 1980s and later, especially tourers, can be picked up relatively cheaply from ebay etc. if you hunt around and are prepared to wait. Such bikes will be much lighter than your ebike, which may help to offset the loss of electric assistance.

Another approach is to get a Brompton and store it folded inside the house.

I mean the shortest answer is that I live on a pretty steep hill (and right at the top). Sans the e-assist I think my biking days would be numbered. I only use the assist on the way back as it happens - but it’s a game changer!

And a Brompton is very very tempting but so pricey!

[AllRides]

My bike currently lives in our front porch, so I pass by it on the way out. My bikes have very limited street value (not worth nicking) and if I couldn’t have it indoors then I’d wonder about having an enclosed box for it next to the front door. When out on errands I lock my cheap bike up - mostly in low risk places - and think nothing more about its safety - as above, not worth nicking.

This morning my bike did a round trip of three miles saving me petrol (say 50p worth) plus wear and tear on the car (in particular they don’t like short runs). I don’t wear any cycling specific cloths and really - and so over many decades - never have: put on my coat, hat and gloves and off I go.

Unless there’s a necessity or it comes on whilst I’m out I don’t ride my bike much in the rain, imho making life difficult for yourself is daft. I haven’t found the need for loads of reflective clothing, but ymmv.

Thanks! A box out the front sounds interesting! I wonder what that would look like….

My bike is an ebike (but not an expensive one) so a bit stealable). Riding in the dry only is one option I’ve sort of fallen in to!

One of my children uses something like this large Keter storage box: https://www.diy.com/departments/keter-s ... 413_BQ.prd
A ground anchor could possibly be installed for use with securing an expensive bike.
There have been threads on outdoor front garden storage spaces and security.

I recently purchased an old Raleigh folder with 20” wheels, the fold ain’t great but even unfolded it fits in noticeably less space than my other bikes and it is good for short runs. The bike cost me £20 to buy but it’s needed a few repairs and (inexpensive) parts; it’s primary features are: does the job for local utility riding, cost a negligible amount, compact storage and next to no theft attraction (not worth nicking). If I didn’t have space inside then something similar would be an ideal candidate for sitting outside in a secure box near the front door.

There’s nothing wrong with taking the car to avoid significant rain / foul weather. It might feel like it rains a lot but pick your time and you’ll be surprised at how often the weather is either dry or good enough to still cycle a mile or two. If they’re not there already then stick mudflaps on your bike, mudflaps help to keep your feet and trousers dry - and they help keep your chain and chainring clean too.

Thanks! Will check out those threads and that box. As long as it’s insurable I think I’d be happy!

I have a fixer upper folder too, but everyone of my trips is down (then up) a 1:10 hill so I do rely on the e-assist for the way home. Fully kitted out as a utility bike so mudguards, chain guard, and hub gearing!

[cycle tramp]

So I love my bike, which I use very much for utility cycling. I’ve made a commitment to use it for any journey under 5 miles.

I’m trying to think of ways to reduce this friction and use the bike more. I’d love to hear anything that works for you!?

Generally speaking;

a) utility-ised your bike, mudguards & mudflaps cut down the need for water proofs, a dynamo system means you can ride it at night, fitting a big basket to the front means you can use normal shopping bags & put your bike lock, helmet, day-glo when the bike is in storage, flat pedals mean you can wear any shoes and a chain ring protector, fitted over the chainring reduces the risk of oil marks...

b) wear clothes that you can cycle in.. for me, that means a thick woolley jumper, a cotton shirt and walking trousers in the winter.. shirts and an oxford shirt in the summer..

[gbnz]

Sell your car ...In all seriousness it isn't easy but the more often you do chose to cycle for your short utility trips, the more it becomes a habit.

+ 1. Had unlimited, FOC miles in a company car, for years. Obviously I cycled to work, with 2 or 3 employers (Nb. Leave the company car at work, saves any bother getting down the driveway on the bike, think there're even tax benefits ?)

As everyone's suggested, stick the bike next to the front door (Nb. Or thereabouts), c/w in full working order, lights, panniers, reflectors, trouser clips, water bottle, whatever to hand. If you're a cyclist, it is actually worthwhile ensuring an emergency back up bike is available

(Nb. Have found it notable for 2.5 months, had any number of journeys curtailed, as the bike, headset, mudguards, lights, leaking valve, weren't quite right & dead of winter, emergency bike wasn't ideally "winter equipped" (Nb. Am a £'s tight so & so........the cost of ensuring all the spares/duplicate kit is in 100% working order, pays for itself in years. Worth spending the £'s)

[Slowroad]

I can't recommend it, but having a low-speed collision on ice and writing off our elderly car got me doing more utility cycling! I was already commuting approx 50 miles a week, but using the car for shopping (I shop for a relative too). A few weeks after the crash a neighbour posted on our Whatsapp that he had a Halfords trailer to give away, so shortly after I was shopping with it, and loving it. A bonus was that our super local garage were able to eventually fix our car - but I rarely use it for shopping now, but it does of course have its uses.
What motivates me to do this, and the commuting, is knowing how much better I feel mentally and physically after even a short ride, and even a wet ride (make sure you smile and look like you're enjoying it!)

[pjclinch]

PS: trousers. A lot depends on a lot of things, but I’ve gradually defaulted to wearing trousers that are good for utility cycling as my standard items. They happen to be ones sold as “walking trousers”, but they’ve got the key ingredients: look ok-enough as ordinary casual trousers, ditto comfort, fabric is some very slightly stretchy stuff that is slightly water resistant, and dries quickly if it gets a bit damp, zipped pockets. Ideal for walking the dog too, of course.

My philosophy with clothes since I’ve no longer worked where I needed to look fairly smart is to buy things that work for both ordinary use and for utility cycling, that way I’m not changing clothes to ride a bike, I'm already wearing them. These days, you can actually find clothes that go a fair way up the “smart” scale, but which work fine on a bike, although the smarter things tend to get a bit pricey.

Thanks! That’s really interesting - any suggested brands?

Rohan are my usual tailor of choice for the above, they have various in stretchy, quick drying, comfortable and hard wearing fabrics.
They're not cheap but they last very well (as in potentially decades) and if you wait for the sales (several per year) you can usually get a decent discount.

We got rid of our car a while ago and I don't like driving our big van in town, but my default has always been my bike because I like cycling and bar exceptional trips on deserted, curvy roads through the countryside don't really like driving. So unless you actually like driving remember to tell yourself the reason to get the bike out is because riding is worth it just for itself, and driving is just a means to an end.

Pete.

[Carlton green]

There is a pretty foolproof solution for encouraging yourself to take the bike at every opportunity, sell the car. We did it 4 years back and have never regretted it.

It's always possible to find a reason (i.e. justify to yourself) to use your car, unless you don't have one. Suddenly the effort of getting the bike from the shed melts away, as do concerns about the weather.

Admittedly we live in a city and if we don't feel like cycling we have the options of bus, train and taxi, but unless it's blowing a hooley, the bike wins every time. We do have a fall back for the rare occasions that only a car will suffice, and that is hourly car hire via the car club. The reality is that we only use the car club maybe half a dozen times a year.

I should also mention that we are a lot better off not owning a car. It's a win all round for us.

Super tempting, sadly my other half is not approving of only having one “just in case”. It pains me because I did the total cost of ownership and… ouch! Shame is that the marginal cost per mile isn’t that much really but if you can be rid - wow!

I can understand your other half feeling vulnerable about not having a second car to fall back on, she has to weight up her personal situation and risks for herself.

It’s taken time for me to understand this better but the marginal costs of a car are much more than is immediately obvious. First (for marginal costs) there’s 10 to 15 pence per mile in petrol and then - hidden from sight - there’s the wear and tear that goes with driving, there’s also an accident risk (with costs) associated with any journey. At my last MOT I had to have two new springs fitted and the month prior to that a new exhaust system, quite a painful hit in the pocket and they’re mileage related failures. Replacement tyres, brake pads and brake discs are also mileage related costs. As a separate marginal cost every journey that does not include active travel within it costs you / the participant the health benefits to be gained from active travel.

I note your comment (copied below) about living up a 1 in 10 hill. Each of us work with what we have but I feel zero shame in walking up a hill and indeed did so this evening (took my bike on a utility ride (about eight miles round trip) in the dark and saved the obvious and hidden marginal costs). The bike I used has a three speed hub and is geared quite low, I started a separate thread about embracing the three speed hub and ways to get the best / better utility from them.

… have a fixer upper folder too, but everyone of my trips is down (then up) a 1:10 hill so I do rely on the e-assist for the way home. Fully kitted out as a utility bike so mudguards, chain guard, and hub gearing!

[slowster]

I mean the shortest answer is that I live on a pretty steep hill (and right at the top). Sans the e-assist I think my biking days would be numbered. I only use the assist on the way back as it happens - but it’s a game changer!

If you are elderly, infirm or have some serious underlying health condition, I can appreciate that an ebike is essential in your situation.

However, if you are in reasonable health, then I doubt it is essential. According to one of your previous posts you have a Raleigh Motus Tour Crossbar, presumably like the one in the photograph below, and googling suggests the bike weighs ~28kg.

I don't know how much cycling experience you have, or what experience you have of different bikes, but I suggest you try to borrow a rigid MTB with a rigid (non suspension) fork and 26" wheels like those made in the 1990s and early 2000s. It should weigh something like half your ebike, and typically the transmission fitted as standard on those MTBs had *very* low bottom gears. I think for someone of average fitness a 1 in 10 hill should not present undue difficulties on such a bike: just put it into bottom gear and slowly spin up the hill.

Those sorts of MTBs can be picked up very cheaply from bike recycle charities and the likes of ebay, and most can be fitted with mudguards and a rack for utility (or touring) use. If you hunted long enough, you ought to be able to find a nice example with 9 speed transmission and a 42/32/22 chainset. With a 22t inner ring and 32t or 36t rear sprocket you should be able to winch yourself up almost any hill.

Such a bike would be relatively cheap, not particularly attractive to thieves, and you could probably keep it locked up outside your house during the day. Furthermore, many of those MTBs were and are very nice bikes to ride, and I suspect you would enjoy rding one much more that the Raleigh Motus. The more enjoyable it is, the more likely you are to choose to ride instead of drive, and not just for utility use but also for leisure/touring/local exploration.

[Nearholmer]

Thanks! That’s really interesting - any suggested brands?

The ones I’ve got on the go at the moment are Craghoppers (these ones iirc https://www.craghoppers.com/mens-kiwi-p ... s-black-1/) because I happened to spot them in a sale in a local shop, but I think any decent make will be similar.

Beware of really low-end models or makes, because they can be really meanly cut, and hence uncomfortable to wear when cycling, and personally I hate the ones with zip-off lower legs, because the zips chafe.

[Nearholmer]

Regarding a cheap fixer-upper bike, this is my version of that, resulting from an extreme bargain.

It’s a very nice (if a teeny bit small for me) Ridgeback tourer that I got for £110, thinking I was buying a clapped-out bike for the frame only, but discovered when I rode it and looked closely at it that it was actually in very good condition. I converted it to “flat” bars and vee brakes, very carefully added a prop-stand, and voila, a utility bike with a gearing range that would allow it to be ridden up the side of a house if needs be. To reassure the sensitive: I have kept, bagged and tagged, all the bits I removed, so it can be converted back very easily.

[deeferdonk]

Cut yourself a bit of slack for now - maybe its ok to use your car if its rainy or icy out.

With spring and (hopefully) better weather and more sunlight approaching it will be easier to build up the habit of cycling everywhere and hopefully carry that on into more adverse conditions.

[[XAP]Bob]

Sell your car

Sold our second car about 16 years ago, though are considering replacing it at the moment. If nothing else then for MiniBob to learn to drive later this year (my motability insurance won't take anyone under 25 on my current car).

Just need to figure out what we actually want in a second car, and what EVs are on sensibly low insurance groups (at least for TPFT).

[[XAP]Bob]

Cut yourself a bit of slack for now - maybe its ok to use your car if its rainy or icy out.

With spring and (hopefully) better weather and more sunlight approaching it will be easier to build up the habit of cycling everywhere and hopefully carry that on into more adverse conditions.

When I first started commuting to work I was expecting it to be a fair weather exercise, but it rapidly became "all weathers". But that's a specific journey, every day... it's easier to get into good habits.

Maybe park the car down the road?