[Zach_the_Lizard]

Some studies have shown women tend to be more risk averse on average than men are. Cycling is perceived as a relatively risky behavior, statistics to the contrary notwithstanding, so it stands to reason that a segment of the population that is more risk adverse would tend to not partake in the ‘risky’ behavior as often. There are a lot of men who are unwilling to cycle as well for the same safety issue. Other groups, like old people, have the same risk aversion (plus actual physical issues, such as increased risk of injury). To enable greater numbers of cyclists, we need to fix the infrastructure. A lot of the bike lanes in the region could be protected bike lanes with only minimal losses of parking (a few parking spaces close to intersections must go to increase visibility / allow for protected intersections). The only thing missing is the political will. A protected bike lane is a heck of a lot cheaper than widening roads or building metro lines.

[Zach_the_Lizard]

There was a cop blocking the 15th Street cycle track near the Ellipse this morning, for unspecified reasons. When I asked him, he said “something’s going on” but gave no additional details. It looked as though some sort of police tape was thrown up around certain crosswalks along 15th Street, but I didn’t get that great of a look as I was on the opposite side of the road. I saw bikes coming south in the lanes, though, so the blockade is either only just being set up or is rather leaky.

[Zach_the_Lizard]

@CWJW 116660 wrote:

My car just broke down and I’m considering commuting by bike to get to and from work. I’m considering getting a replacement car or just making commuting a regular thing.

Although the commute is only a little over 2 miles each way and I have a decent bike (Kona Jake Cyclocross), there are a couple of things that are holding me back:

1. Don’t have a place to shower or gym anywhere nearby my work. I’m not the type than can walk around feeling sticky all day either so masking sweat with deodorant wouldn’t really work for me. I work fairly independently in a casual environment, so it’s just mainly not having to walking around all day with the post-exercise sweat on me.

I’m overweight and out of shape, and I’m a world champion sweater. My commute is 5 miles and I’ve shown up for work sweaty, but I bike in my work attire. At most I’ll bring an undershirt to change out of and then put my dress shirt on. If I go slow I can avoid sweating at all. I never go full blast on the way to work. Our commutes are short enough that there’s no need to sprint.

@CWJW 116660 wrote:

2. live in upper NW and would have to climb a 1/2 mile steep hill going back home (Tilden Rd if anyone is familiar with it is one of the steepest hills in DC). Not that it’s that big of a deal and I’m fit with a 21 BMI, but I would be hauling about 10-12lb of electronic equipment (laptop, ipad, lab equipment, etc..) that I need to take home with me everyday.

I’m not a fit guy, and I bike up the hill in Rosslyn while carrying my laptop and backpack. My BMI is like 28, to give an indication of our relative fitness levels. If you’re like me you’ll be quite sweaty. If you don’t mind the sweat, you should have no trouble actually climbing the hill. You could also walk the bike or partially bike up the hill and walk.

@CWJW 116660 wrote:

3. The thought of making the commute in a heavy downpour turns me off. It seems it would put me in a really bad mood to start the day off in or come back from a long day at work. I don’t have any rain gear either.

I don’t commute in the rain too because I’m not set up for it. If you don’t want to ride on the rain, don’t. You might see if there are any public transit options for rainy days. I’m slowly working my way to riding in the rain and I use the Metro when I don’t feel like it.

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