Cycling to work 79

Ed Chilada

That depends on how far away they are. By national standards the converse is true, those who cycle to work tend to cycle a lot (national average is 35 miles a year or some such which would be an average commute of about 100m if that.)

No. It depends on distance and time. I have a short commute, no time really to work up more of a sweat than running from the car park in to the lab.. When I lived further away (up to 16 miles) I'd pedal harder to shorten the time, and shower and change.

Yes.

Depends on the terrain. 15-20 minutes of mild exertion - equivalent to a brisk walk so 5 miles in a fairly flat area (ie London). There is an interview with Stephanie Flanders (daughter of Michael and Newsnight Economics editor) in the latest edition of Cycle (CTC house rag) who cycles about 6 miles or so each way in London in normal clothes, including high heels. This is normal.

Unless a route is exceptionally long or arduous, cycling is as sweaty as walking, sometimes less.

You don't *have* to go like a bat out of hell, in the same way you don't have to jog instead of walk.

Generally I'd expect the average person to be able to do an everyday flattish commute of 5 miles each way by bike, in normal clothes and it would take no more than 25-30 mins door to door with no showering etc. required.

For longer-faster trips where a shower is available at work and riding in cycling clothes, there is no need to shower before getting on the bike, just offset it till after the commute instead of before.

For a keen cyclist on good kit, IMHO an ideal commute is 7-12 miles. This is about 30-40 mins door to door (depending on terrain) and is the kind of distance that gives a good workout but is feasible to do every day.

..d