Pros / cons of riding a bike?

_number8_@lemmy.world to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 110 points –

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

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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

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.