Commuting by bike
Riding a bike to work is another fun way to get exercise and see the city in a new way. There are many bike trails throughout York Region so you can avoid some of our busiest streets. The Region has a pedestrian and cycling master plan for fitness and fun commuting. Many companies provide bike racks. Cycling is great for trips up to 10 km each way. It’s often faster to bike than to drive if you’re only going 5 km.
How practical is it to cycle to work?
MYTH: I have to do lots of one-of journeys when I'm at work, I can't give up the car
ANSWER: You don't have to. There's no hair-shirt rule that says you must use a bike for every single journey. Using a bike should be pleasurable, not a chore. There will always be times when other forms of transport beat using a bike. Just try to use the bike more of the times when you don't really need to use a car.
MYTH: Won't I get all sweaty?
ANSWER: For most people it probably takes a good 15-20 minutes to build up a sweat. If you don't want to arrive at your destination all hot and flustered, don't pedal so hard. For when you want to cycle fast, and your journey is 20 minutes or over, wearing the right clothing can increase your comfort, i.e.: 'wickable' synthetic underwear, thin fleece mid layers and a windproof jacket made from a lightweight, breathable fabric. Now available - eBikes! Electric bicycles are here, and there are even electric-capable wheels and batteries to upgrade your own bike to electric power. You can ride to work using the battery, without building up a sweat ... then, if you wish, you can pedal it back to a full charge on your way home!
MYTH: Yeah, but what about the rain, I hate getting wet.
ANSWER: It doesn't actually rain that much. No, really. Research has shown that, on average, it only rains hard on 12 commuting days per year. And anyway, by wearing the right kind of weather protective clothing you won't arrive at your destination dripping wet. Damp, yes, but even if you travelled by car you'd have to go outside at some point, risking a soaking.
MYTH: My workmates will laugh at me
ANSWER: Chances are, you get into work quicker than them, are fitter than them, have more zest for life for them, and are more open minded than them. The day will come when they will be forced to either cycle or take public transport because driving to work will be heavily taxed and highly restricted. You're a trend setter, so let them laugh, you'll have the last one.
MYTH: Isn't cycling really, really dangerous?
ANSWER: Yes. If you do it wrong. But do it right and you'll find cycling is as safe as other forms of transport. Don't be timid when riding city streets, don't be squeezed into the gutter, claim your road space, you've as much right to be there as cars, trucks and buses. Buy cycling books at local bike shops with guides to riding in the city, or get yourself on an adult cycle proficiency course, or get a confident city cyclist to show you the ropes (cycle campaign groups often have members who help out in this respect).
MYTH: What about car fumes, Don't cyclists breathe in all that gunk?
ANSWER: Funnily enough, research has proven that motorists breathe in more pollution than cyclists, who sit high above the fumes. Cyclists who are breathing hard are rapidly clearing their lungs out as they exercise. And, remember, if you are currently a car commuter, when you start cycling you're part of the solution to pollution.
MYTH: Pshaw, me on a pedal bike? I want to get there today!
ANSWER: Cycling is fast. Test after test has shown that for short urban journeys, there is nothing but nothing to beat a cyclist. A four kilometre journey in the centre of Toronto takes 22 minutes by bike, half an hour by subway, 40 minutes by car (even in a Ferrari...), 62 minutes on a bus, and an hour and a half on foot.
