I cycled to work today, which is not that much of an achievement, given its 4.5 km, but I still feel proud. A few observations:
- there are heaps more people cycling to work these days – I reckon twice as many as when I last cycled to work more than a year ago
- it’s still really annoying that you have to climb three flights of stairs to get on to the Harbour Bridge
- It’s quite ironic that the City of Sydney has cycle paths converging from all directions, but none at all in town, even though traffic moves not much faster than a bike through town
- It’s amazing how much pedestrians rely on their hearing, rather than looking, when deciding to cross a road
But I proved to myself that I can do it, that every bit of the journey works, and I fully intend to do it once a week – at least until the end of daylight saving.
Well done – the start of a new phase in a beautiful relationship with your bike, I hope!
I also agree with you about . . .
o Cycle paths seem to get paid lip service here too. Especially when it’s a choice between another car lane, or space for 2 or 3 bike lanes!
o Pedestrians are all deaf. I learned this while cycling on campus as a student. Right now, I pass a pub about 200m before I get home. Alcohol adds invincibility to their deafness.
o Get big bright lights. Cycling in the winter is fun – you don’t get so hot.
Keep it up.
Karl.
I don’t live anywhere near Sydney, but I do cycle to work everyday…about 4 km. It is a glorious feeling, except on the really cold windy days when your face feels like it’s burning off.
Cyclists don’t get nearly the respect that they should, but that is slowly changing. Especially as gas prices increase. But I don’t have nearly the problem with pedestrians that you guys seems to have.
Welcome to the cycler’s world.
Good for you! I’d do the same if I could ride a bike.
Oh, and Karimccracken, as a life-long pedestrian (I don’t drive or ride a car either), could I comment that judging pedestrians on the basis of drunk people is about as fair as judging cyclists on the basis of the kind of messenger cyclist who just can’t believe that pedestrian crossings, red lights etc are meant for them. I’ve never been knocked down whilst legitimately crossing the road by a motorist but I’ve had plenty of close calls from cyclists running lights.
Sorry, Jennifer – shouldn’t vent!
Right on!
I’ve noticed that about pedestrians, too — as a biker you really have to shout at them to get their attention. I’m training my son to yell, “Passing on your left!”
I was just noticing last night the huge increase in cyclists around the Melbourne CBD and considering getting in on the action myself. The distance for me is closer to 10k though so it’s something I’d need to really plan and work up to, but definitely not out of reach and there are some fantastic paths available. It’s the drivers I’m more concerned about in they city though, especially getting in and out of their parked cars.