Any commuters around?

[JeffS]

The vast majority of my riding is my 21mi round trip commute, though I may try to get back into the group ride thing once the weather picks up a little.

My trip takes me down Falls of Neuse and Six Forks, where I've seen about six people on bikes in the last six months, none of them more than twice.

I wouldn't go back to my car for anything at this point and am a little curious why more cyclists in the area don't try the bike commuting route.

[TracyW]

I want to commute some this spring. The 20 mi. one way kinda gets me. Don't want to wake that early this time of year.

[MikeD]

Same here. Mine is about 20 miles one way. I have to cross Capital Blvd too! I've done it once before but I think I need to adjust my route a little before attempting it again.

[CharleyM3]

I have to take my son to school in the mornings, but I bike to work through the summer. 14.5 miles each way. ten-ten to Kildare Farm then north to the far end of Harrison. I see a few commuters, but not many.

[Pugslyyy]

I wouldn't go back to my car for anything at this point and am a little curious why more cyclists in the area don't try the bike commuting route.

I have a company vehicle that I take from home to work (less than 5 mile commute). I could just leave it at work, but then I would have to worry about toting my laptop, etc, back and forth. And I like having the company car at home since I also use it as my daily driver.

[esther-l]

I am trying to bike-commute once a week. My 1-way trip is 11.5 miles.

It was a joy to commute last Tuesday without my headlight and battery!!

Esther

[DougChin]

I commute to work nearly every day. It is about 7.5 miles. I get to ride mostly Greenways and designated bicycle routes, but it is rough sometimes when I have to cross and ride on Maynard Rd. It is sometime difficult getting through down town Cary.

[Itsjustb]

Every day commuter here (and new to this site). 5 miles each way from my home to GSK. My route takes me from Lumley Road to South Miami, S. Miami to Alexander, and Alexander to Cornwallis. Not the best cycling roads in the Triangle, but they're what I have to to use.

[gamsauer]

How do you commute and look presentable for work? I think it may be easier for men than for women.

[CharleyM3]

You can approach it two ways. drive in once a week and bring clothing for the week and leave it. I know a couple of people that do that.
-OR-
Take your work clothing with you on the ride. I do that. I can work in tee-shirt, cut offs, and flip-flops if I want. I have small paniers that hold everything I need for the day. Back-packs suck. Too hot and awkward.
My employer has a Gym so I can shower and change at the office.

[Pugslyyy]

I've also known people with longer commutes that only bike one way each day. For instance, drive to work on Monday, then ride home. On Tuesday ride in then drive home in the evening, etc...

[CharleyM3]

Now that takes commitment that you'll do it on Tuesday. More than once I intended to ride in the next day and changed my mind when I hauled myself out in the morning.

[PoweredbySweat]

Except on very rare occassions, I commute to work year-round, every day. I've been doing this for many years. For a long time, I did the 8 mile ride on the same mountain bike. It has over 40K miles on it. I'm now riding a recumbent. They're a lot of fun, although I won't ride it in the snow. It's back to MTB then.

[MikeD]

Next week is Bike to Work week for those interested. Check out this link for some good information and resources.
http://www.gotriangle.org/Bike_Walk/BTWW07.html

[murphbaley]

I would like to start biking to work, 8 miles one way, but I feel like drivers are going to run me off the road at some points, mainly around ten-ten headed towards downtown Apex, any way to avoid being run over?

[sportingfool]

I would like to start biking to work, 8 miles one way, but I feel like drivers are going to run me off the road at some points, mainly around ten-ten headed towards downtown Apex, any way to avoid being run over?
When I ride by myself, I try to wear very bright colors to make me more visible to drivers. Also make sure you use your signals when turning, stopping or slowing down so that drivers know what you are going to do. Use extra caution on Ten-Ten between US1 and downtown because the road surface is not the greatest.

If you are new to road biking, you may want to come-out and ride with the SlowSpokes to help you get used to riding in traffic. When I first started-out, I felt like a group offered safety in numbers. It helped me build my confidence, and I'm comfortable riding on the road alone now.

[maria]

Around 44,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year.
About 1 in 54 is a bicyclist. (bicyclesafe.com/)

This has been the statistic that has stopped me in the past.

[JeffS]

...and half of those are kids, which implies an entirely different reason for the death.

Even using your numbers, 98% die in a car, 2% die on a bike. I'm surprised those numbers would make someone want to drive.

[maria]

It's not that simple. The statistic should be considered in light of how many cars are on the road vs. the number of cyclists. 98% and 2% are percentages of accidents unadjusted for total number of cars vs. total number of cyclists.

E.g., #cyclist deaths/bikes on road should be compared to number of #auto deaths/cars on road...percentages are significantly higher depending on whose numbers you use...usdot or other

[besslb]

I try to commute by bike 2 or 3 days a week. 5 miles each way. I have several reasons I do it, some to save gas, some to save money, some to just be more environmentally friendly..and a little bit to get the exercise out of the way....not to mention it's just darn fun.:D

[PoweredbySweat]

It's not that simple. The statistic should be considered in light of how many cars are on the road vs. the number of cyclists. 98% and 2% are percentages of accidents unadjusted for total number of cars vs. total number of cyclists.

E.g., #cyclist deaths/bikes on road should be compared to number of #auto deaths/cars on road...percentages are significantly higher depending on whose numbers you use...usdot or other

I've been commuting for over 20 years, and no injuries yet. I'm 20 years older, but not a pound heavier, and actually, I'm down about 10 pounds. And at 53, I can get on a bike tomorrow and ride a Century. If one rides defensively, one can avoid accidents. I think it's more dangerous to drive a car, especially if there are dedicated bike lanes.