1y ago

Pros / cons of riding a bike?

apparently my city literally literally banned public rail funding, and people online love jerking off about how good biking is, so i figured might as well try. I have come up with:

pros:

good for mental health / exercise / endorphins
arguably quaint
feel like an old timey guy taking his wares to market
feel european
can annoy others
less of a police state around them vs cars
more flexible parking, routes
capacity to be peaceful
nice in summer

cons:

look like an annoying dork (esp w neon - which also hurts the quaint factor)
have to wear a helmet (^)
getting sweaty, potentially "unpresentable" for work
still have to find safe parking
still takes a while
have to find new routes to places
can't listen to music or might die
little meaningful protection against severe injury
can only carry so many groceries/etc
sucks in winter

140 comments

From a European perspective (I use car/bicycle/train/longboard), a few pointers rather than a pro-con/list
The more people use a bicycle, even casually, The more it put pressures on local politician to do something
For short distances (<5km) in town, it's faster than the car
Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn't hit. However, if you're in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.
Beware of your clothe, if you wear black, at night, without lights, you call for problem, and I can see how even good faith motorists can hit you.
Paint isn't infrastructure but at least remind the motorists that you have the right to be there. I can see how the mayor call the infrastructure director and ask them for bike lane without any budget, but it sucks
Be a bit agressive, and look for eye-contact before passing between car, keep distance from parked car, they can open a door, If you don't think a car can pass you with a safe distance (small urban streets) stay in the middle of the road, and stop to the side when you can to let the car pass you.
A backpack, or bike pack helps a lot carrying groceries, not really an excuse
The problem isn't that much the winter (unless you live on a really cold place) but the rain, good clothe can help, but still.
- Just wanted to comment on this bit.
  Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn't hit. However, if you're in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.
  Gloves will save you from very annoying and painful scratches on your hands, but helmet can save you from becoming vegetable or dead. I don't think there's any competition for which is more important, helmet any day.
  Still, definitely recommend both but at very least a helmet
- Upvote because longboard
- What kind of gloves do you use?
  
  In Summer, I use "weight lifting fingerless gloves", it's very similar from "cycling fingerless gloves" but half of the price. In winter, I use "light" outdoor gloves.
- Wanted to reply to OP. Moving my post.

Rebuttals to a few of the cons:
don’t dress like an ‘annoying dork’- unless that’s your vibe, no need to change anything to ride a bike.
you don’t ‘have’ to wear a helmet. Though there are some less bulky, big, or wherever this cons comes from. Probably best to wear one.
no need to go fast and work up a sweat, or e-bike as other have mentioned. There may be financial rebates available. Other commuter tips include: bring extra clothes, and wet wipes to clean up once getting to.
until a matter transporter comes along, it takes time to go anywhere.
you get to find new routes. Find new shops, new neighborhoods, new parks. Feel like a part of you community. Not locked in a metal box or tube.
bone conduction headphones, or other non noise canceling headphones
there are bikes, racks and bags in any combination that can carry all sorts of groceries.
no bad weather, only bad gear. I’d say heat of summer is worse than winter.
- Nope, always wear the helmet. To not wear one is just stupid.
  
  I don’t disagree. I’ve worked on an ambulance, I’ve seen what the results of improper protection does to a person. But also how it affects everyone else involved- from the people scraping you off the street to the family that has to take care of you. The unseen injuries of head trauma. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice- just think about the possible consequences to yourself and those around you.
  Think of it this way- don’t wear a helmet because you ride a bike, wear a helmet because everyone else is in a car… they don’t look for you, they don’t care about you. Only you can care about you. It’s car culture pushing the responsibility of safety onto the cyclists to avoid culpability.
  Two fairly interesting videos arguing each point and may help yall convince others to wear a helmet better than calling them stupid.
  https://youtu.be/rhzH6mEpIps?si=UGH6OVQVYDOH7oLf
  https://youtu.be/1JfbTwrtOWU?si=WF7RlOLg4h_uv58e
  Be safe, anything can happen. Wear a helmet, even for the ‘safe’ rides so it becomes second nature.
  
  100%. When one of the cons is no meaningful protection against injury, a helmet should be a huge pro. It absolutely saves lives.
  
  Guess dutch people are stupid, but at least they have way less death per kilometer while cycling ¯(ツ)/¯
  
  No it's not. Believing the helmet is the sole saviour is stupid.
  
  A helmet is only needed if you intend to spend significant time in traffic. Most of the world doesn't use one.
  The math behind using one is a lot more on the margins than people realize. In order for it to save you, it first has to prevent a head injury, and then prevent one that is in the range of severity that makes it useful. The vast majority of bike injuries won't fall in that range, they'll either be related to another part of the body, or in the case of high speed crashes from a car, too severe for a helmet to matter. But helmets do give people a false sense of security. Statistically people ride faster and take more risks with a helmet on. Lastly, again statistically, the visibility gear you put on yourself while riding does more to keep you safe in traffic than a helmet. Lights, reflectors, reflective vest, etc.
  All this to say, the religiosity with which people proselytize helmets is misplaced. I still wear one, but I don't judge people who choose not to.
- no matter what gear you have you dont want to bike on snow
  
  Not true, winter biking really isn't that bad and bikes are remarkably stable even on ice
  
  Finnish children cycle to school
  
  I really want to try though! Not dared to try on a road bike though...
- there are bikes, racks and bags in any combination that can carry all sorts of groceries.
  Paper and liquid products are not cooperative with two-wheeled transportation, so there's still a tangible limit
  
  I have a trailer that I attach to my bike whenever I have to haul a lot of stuff. It's very convenient. You can add a little wheel at the front to use it by hand with its handle. It carries 40 to 60 kg and is foldable to take less space if needed.
  
  Where there is no will, there is no way.
  If it’s a Costco monthly trip, no. On your carbon road bike, no. Full suspension downhill bike, no. Holding a 2liter bottle of Shasta Cola and three rolls of TP? Rethink some things.
  If you know it’s going to be a utility bike, yea. Easily done. If it’s a zippy get about thing, consider a little trailer for the hauling trips- buy used, even the old ones roll fine.
  I’ve been going for about a year, with two panniers and a front rack, for weekly groceries for a family of 3. Milk, eggs, toilet paper, no problem. Back when Mission Workshop just split off from Timbuk2 I got their expand-o Marry Poppins backpack (the rambler)which is awesome- though I wouldn’t buy it at the current price (eye watering)…it does fit A LOT, like 12kg bags of dog food and still has room. It can carry the weirdest things.
  The worst part is getting the panniers up the flight of stairs to our apartment…which would be the same struggle regardless of transportation.

I wear the same clothing when I am biking and not biking. The clothing is by no means a requirement.
- If you were trying to get to work that could be problematic, especially business attire in a hot place.
  
  I used to bike to work occasionally. It was maybe a 5 minute drive, 15 minute bike ride. I would bring a backpack with a change of clothes and change in the bathroom once I got to the office.

Bikes are a scam perpetuated by big tire. Run at full speed for all of your travel.
Pros:
Green (non industrial footprint)
No bike to get stolen
Harkens back to primitive man chasing gazelles
Fantastic for heart health
Just as fast as biking if you run as fast as you bike
No need for safety equipment (raw)
Cons:
Others will be intimidated by your presence
May require barge poll to fend off potential suitors
- Just as fast as a car if you run as fast as a car.
- *hearken back

pros:
I don't sit in a cage in the middle of a traffic jam 2+ hours a day
When I get to work, I'm awake and in a good mood, when I get back home, I've left the work stress behind
I'm actually faster door to door than in a car in rush hour traffic on my 8 mile commute
It keeps me fit even if I don't do any other sports
It's fun
I can fix everything myself with a toolbox I bought for 40€
My bike cost 1000€, 4 years ago, and I think I spent another ... 30€ on it in all that time, for lube and tubes
cons:
It can't fully replace a car. Around once a week I need public transit for longer routes. Around once a month I have to rent a car, too.
Bike lanes don't exist or aren't usable everywhere. In places without them you need some thick skin to deal with the incoherent rage of strangers who feel like your choice of vehicle threatens their entire lifestyle.
Biking has become a political statement for some reason
From your con list, the only one that is actually true in my opinion is:
little meaningful protection against severe injury
(which is mostly a problem due to cars on the road)
All the other ones either simply aren't true, or are only an issue if you're starting out and haven't figured out what's important yet.
- Second this. The inconvenience of winter weather in particular. Dutch people are used to say that there is no bad weather to ride a bike, only inadequate gear.
  
  Try that in Canada though, it's not going to work out. 15cm of fresh snow with ice underneath and it's still coming down, while the sidewalks haven't been cleared yet? Good luck biking to work then...
  You would have to use transit for about half the year here
  
  That’s nice for the Dutch but I’m not riding a bike in 15+ cm of snow and ice while it’s -30c lol
  
  It's true that it's possible to ride all year, even in places with harsh winters.
  It's going to be decidedly less fun, though.
  This was enough to tip the balance in favour of taking transit during the months of snow and slush here in Sweden, but I'm also spoiled for choice here. Now I've moved and have less of a ride to work, so I think I'm probably going to shoot for biking all year now.
- The sweat thing is important imo. I don't want to show up to work or school or whatever drenched in sweat. Sometimes it's too hot outside, or you have to ride against too strong a wind, or the terrain on your route is difficult. Either way you can easily arrive at your destination soaking wet. Unless you have an e-bike, there is no easy or convenient solution for that ç. A very real consideration that most certainly has made me not choose my bike on many occasions.
  While we're on the topic of wet, weather is also an important consideration. Keeping yourself protected against the rain on a bike is not easy.
  
  Somehow I've managed to commute to work on a bike year round for 10 years now, and I'm in a customer-facing role.
  When it rains I wear rain clothes (jacket, rain pants and over-shoes). I also have full fenders and a chainguard on my bike.
  If necessary, I ride in cycling clothes, carry my work clothes and some deodorant in a pannier, and quickly dry off and change in the bathroom when I arrive. It takes 5 minutes.

Electric bicycles are much less tiring to use and go faster / further. Quite a game changer.
With pannier bags and a backpack you can carry quite a lot of groceries.

Music: use bone conduction headphones
- are there like gold standard ones I can start looking at?
  
  I use Shokz also.
  
  Shokz ig? Idk if they’re the absolute best but generally up there
  
  I've been using Shokz for a decade now. They've replaced a couple sets at no cost. I wear mine every day. Even for the occasional swim.
  Listening to podcasts definitely gives longer battery life than listening to music. Though even the odd time I've drained the battery in a day, I charge it with a battery pack for fifteen minutes and it's charged again.
  Not many products I'd say are worth every cent, but from the quality to the customer service, Shokz are great.
  
  The bone conducting ones make me nauseous so I got a pair of Bose open earbuds. They're not as good in loud environments but that's kinda the point. I ride and listen to music with them daily

Pros
cheap
fun
doesn't pollute
much lower chance of accidentally killing someone compared to driving
Cons
might get killed by someone
get wet if it's raining
hills

You have the elitist weekend cyclists on 15-20k bikes and the casual commuter folks all rolled up in one list. Not the same crowd.

wow. just wow. what an american hot take. tell me the cons of fresh vegetables please.
- Tastes worse than junk food. Need to chew forever to get the number of calories required to survive. No dopamine hit for eating a bite of radish. More expensive than frozen/canned alternatives.
  
  🦅🇺🇲

For rain and stuff in the Netherlands (we have some rain) you can get a rain suit I causing pants you can just wear over your normal clothes to work.
Make sure the rain suit has reflector strips or patches.. your lighting and reflectors are key in Beiing seen.
Depending on the commute distance getting an Ebike helps keep your speed up without becoming massively sweaty. You can still exercise but you do it at a steady 25kph.
For groceries you can get cargo bags for on the back of the bike. Depending on the type you get they can store a lot.
Listening to music.. put in one earbud only and have the volume low. But in the Netherlands we have mostly separate bike infra (protected bikebanes and such) so this might still be dangerous if there is no good bike infra.
Lastly, you can choose other routes that would normally not work by car. If you find a cut through somewhere, you maybe can avoid the dangerous stroads all together.

Get an ebike. I wear normal clothes. Lycra is for fitting in to fitness biking groups, most don't wear it.
I just use my ebike as a car alternative so I don't have to fight for parking at popular spots in the city or pay for $5/gal gas unnecessarily (unless I'm actually going to a remote place, then I use my car). Gets me to my destination in roughly the same amount of time due to traffic lights and bad traffic. I've actually beaten friends in Ubers because the bike paths are much more direct, typically.
Recharging costs pennies, and I'm usually down to half a battery 45 miles in as long as I'm going in hybrid mode where I'm still pedaling. Gets you stupidly into shape as a side benefit, since you are always pedaling and you can turn the battery off if you want a 67lb exercise bike that also goes places.
Throw some panniers on and you can carry or tow a decent amount of stuff since the bike is electric.

I have many friends in the Seattle area, which is supposedly relatively bike friendly compared to other places in the US. Of those friends, only 2 bike to commute. In the last year, both of them have gotten hit by a car and hospitalized.
I know that's just anecdotal, but I don't see bikes as a safe way of travel US unless there is significant change in infrastructure for them.
- Bikes are popular in Seattle, but I'm not sure I'd call it a bike-friendly city. Tons of rain, tons of hills, tons of bridges, tons of crappy roads. We put bike lanes in a bunch of places, but a lot of them still have to go through confusing intersections or only cover part of your commute. Add on the new trend of no-hands driving, it's still pretty dangerous.
  
  Tons of rain, tons of hills, tons of bridges, tons of crappy roads.
  Have you ever been to the Alps? That's cycling heaven for most people apparently

I tried biking in a city awhile back, and someone actually tried to hit me with their door.
Any city that thinks its a great idea to share the road on a bike has never personally tried it.
- Thats why cities should build seperated lanes so cars and bikes mingle as little as possible
  
  Yeah, in an ideal bubble, I would like to see trams replace cars for dense sectors that see a lot of traffic.
  
  If we’re talking infrastructure buildouts I’d rather just go the extra step and build a few tram/train lines vs adding a bike lane to every road
  
  I sorta agree and sorta don't, all streets should be 30km/h or less and shared traffic, everything else should be with bike lanes. Streets meaning a piece of infrastructure that provides access to places lining it, not a piece of infrastructure for longer distance travel.
  The Netherlands is good not because there is a bike lane on every street but because all the streets with destinations (private homes, business, schools)are connected by bike lanes as well as roads, often more and more direct bike lanes.
  There are a lot of areas where cars bikes and sometimes pedestrians share the same space both in inner cities and in residential neighborhoods, it's just that they aren't through roads for cars or at least very very slow ones, while they are often through roads for bikes and peds.
  
  There are plenty of protected lanes in my city, but they just hide bicycles behind parked cars, making it less safe at every intersection.
  The only way I can think that might work better would be to convert a 3-lane road (with suicide/turn lane in center), into a 2-lane road. The center lane gets converted into a two-way bicycle road - raised up like a sidewalk with curved curb. No left turns allowed for cars, only right turns. This way bicycles are visible and protected.
- I've done it for almost 2 decades and confirm people are assholes.

If you're going moderate or short distances in a city, odds are it will literally be faster to bike, even at a no sweat/leisurely pace.
Average speed of commuter traffic in cities is sub 20 kph.
- In my city cycling is faster even if you're not stuck in traffic because you can take one way streets and shortcuts. During rush hour it's not even comparable.

Pro:
Look this shitload of money you don't have to pay for insurance, parking and gaz
Con:
Look this shitload of time you've spent to "fix just this another thing"

I'll just comment on the con list
look like an annoying dork (esp w neon - which also hurts the quaint factor)
You don't have to wear Lycra to bike commute. Comfy shorts, T-shirt and trainers is fine
have to wear a helmet (^)
Get a decent helmet, it's way less annoying when the helmet is breathing well and sits on your head properly.
getting sweaty, potentially "unpresentable" for work
Yeah this is pretty annoying. Best advice I can give is to have your stuff sacked into a bag attached to your bike (handlebar bag, pannier, etc). Backpack prevents the airflow in your back and causes ton of sweating
still have to find safe parking
No comment on this one, as European I've never found myself in a situation where parking a bike is anything but fine
still takes a while
May take longer but is 267% (I measured) more fun than a car
have to find new routes to places
This should be a pro
can't listen to music or might die
Headphones with transparency mode on are great for cycling
little meaningful protection against severe injury
I'm pretty sure I've seen seen studies suggesting bike commute lowers the chance of injury on average due to the health gains. Or something, not bothering to search for it now. Also I think this might be a bit eurocentric, since the bikelanes are not that great on many other places
can only carry so many groceries/etc
If you plan on carrying a week worth of groceries for a family of 3, then cargo bike might just be for you. Otherwise, daily shop visits for what's needed are fine with bicycle bags or basket
sucks in winter
Attitude issue. I love cycling in winter
- Only thing I'd say (as a cyclist) is that "skill issue" is not a great reply for all cases. My city swings from +40 to -40 and it's not uncommon to see wind chills down below -50. Winter cycling is not always viable, which is why a robust transit network needs to include a variety of options.
  Otherwise, this is a good comment.
  
  Yeah it's a bit poking fun, but you have some extreme temperature swings wherever you live :o

I've been riding bikes for more than 50 years and never wore a helmet. Now I got an ebike - and a helmet. And I actually like it. It provides a bit of shade, the airflow is still good (it has many air holes), and it keeps almost all sweat from running down my face.
- Do you live in a city or an are with a lower population? I strap the helmet on in the city or doing some speed, but when we're out visiting with family in the country or a small town, we usually go without it.
  
  I live in the city, but with the ebike I now can also go to the surrounding country side. I still like the helmet there, because shade for the head and a lot less sweat in my face. And it's not a high end helmet, it is a cheap one from Aldi.

Just to add, if you go with a bicycle, you do not need to forgoe cars altogether. For those days you need to haul around a bunch of items, you can rent a car through a car sharing service. You can rent them for a few hours.

Have a look into E-Bikes, theres a great Micromobility community on Lemmy.
My dad has one with saddlebags and says its more like owning a small motorbike. Sure he has to pedal but he never has to pedal hard. If you're worried about looking like a dork Mercedes make ones that look cool AF.
cargo bikes are getting really practical if thats your bigger worry.
Buy a good lock and put an air tag on it though.
- theres a great Micromobility community on Lemmy.
  Thanks! It's !micromobility@lemmy.world if anyone was interested btw
  
  I like the idea of an E-bike but it just wouldnt be practical in my life at the moment. But its a pretty good community, generally stays on topic and doesnt degenerate into arguments.

apparently my city literally literally banned public rail funding
How to say you’re in America without saying you’re in America

Con: not suitable for elderly or hanicapped people.
- Go to asian countries, plenty of elderly on bicycles. It is just the elderly in western countries are sedentary which leads to atrophied muscles.
  With the handicapped you can make the same argument with operating a motor vehicle.
  Side note: I like cars. I even have a sim rig at home to race around in. But car centric infrastructure brings more negatives than positives.
  
  The major difference is depending on the city.
  Absolutely in Tokyo and Saigon, bike riders of all ages were going about their lives. But I can't imagine being a elderly bike rider in some US cities. Some drivers WANT to fuck with bikers. It's disgusting.
- You can say disabled, it's not a bad word! :) there are quite a few bike options for disabled people actually. From 3 wheeled bikes to handbike/ebike hybrids. It's awesome.
  Source: I'm a wheelchair user from The Netherlands
- Trike! Or recumbent trike. Or an e-trike.
- E-bike or custom made bike
- This was a cute video
  
  Nice toy, but nothing my wife could actually use. Apart from that, it is way to wide and would cause loads of issues on most of the bike paths here.

look like a dork
Just dress like a BMXer and not those dorks that do the Tour De France. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Even their helmets are cooler.

Bone conduction earphones will let you listen to music without occluding external sound.

Get an ebike. It solves several of your cons at once.
No need to wear spandex or neon to ride on an ebike (or any bike honestly I bike everywhere and the only neon thing I own is my rain pants) just put lights on your bike and don't dress all in black.
Can't help you with the helmet, that one's pretty important but there's lots of nice looking helmets out there.
No getting sweaty on an ebike unless you want to, because you can crank the pedal assist if you're starting to sweat.
Have literally never had an issue finding somewhere to park my bike. Sure have an issue finding car parking though. At the downtown garage I park at, cars are $20 an hour but bikes are free.
You'll probably go faster than the cars if there's lots of traffic. We've done a car vs bike race a few times when we had both starting the same place and going to the same place and the ebike always wins or is like 10 minutes behind at most.
Bluetooth speakers and transparent headphones both solve the music issue.
Many ebikes have extra cargo capacity, so grocery runs are easier. If you've got a large family then you might need a cargo bike or to rent a car periodically for large trips.
The only real downside imo is the weather if you live somewhere extremely cold/hot and the safety from riding near cars. The rest is easy to get over once you're zipping down the road at 20mph getting those sweet, sweet biking endorphins.

https://lectricebikes.com/products/xpedition-dual-battery
I have the extra large crago bags for this and I have brought home a week's worth of food from the store up and down a mountain near where I live. It is still a bit of a struggle but pedal hard. I use it to go to work 2 miles away (I know, I'm VERY lucky) and I use it to replace driving anywhere over 10 miles away from home. The charge on the batteries last forever since I use only lvl 2-3 on pedal assist since I prefer to pedal.
There are solutions

Legit medical issue for men, doing it too often can negatively impact your performance in bed, IIRC especially if you ride on unpaved terrain a lot.
- Conversely, I have a lot more stamina in the bedroom now that I've been regularly cycling
- You can also get a more comfortable softer riding saddle instead of a hard racing one. It really depends on the bike.
  
  I have a pretty comfy saddle, and if it's too bumpy I prefer cycling standing up anyway. Don't really get why people insist so much on sitting down all the time.
- There have been studies debunking claims of bike-induced ED, buuuuut, if you are really worried, you can get a ventilated or slotted saddle and occasionally stand up on your bike at traffic stops and such. There are specialized saddles and a variety of bikes with different riding positions.
  I love downhill mountain biking, singletrack, and city riding, and never had issues with getting it up either. When the shitty OEM saddle made my balls fall asleep, I swapped to a better saddle made by SQ Labs and changed the seat angle slightly.
  Also... if ED were an issue, the Netherlands and Japan would be like...sterile, hahah
  
  Aren't the Netherlands and Japan both facing fertility crises?

little meaningful protection against severe injury
This is why I'm an advocate for seatbelts for bicycles.

140 comments