Here's an unsolicited statement from a 40-something, father of two, yoga-loving, scuba-diver, tennis player who used Bike to Work week the motivation to make his first bike commute, 8 miles from Belmont to Boston.
"I have to confess that the Bike to Work Week really did push me over the edge to at least first TRY biking, which scared me a lot before I actually tried it. But the biggest difference was pairing up with a friend in my neighborhood. She gave me the routes and confidence to keep it up. Now, I think I am hooked, for once or twice a week anyway."
You can set up a bike to work event at your workplace or join in the national event, usually held in May. If you cyclute, people probably know that. You influence others by your example. You can heighten that influence by encouraging potential cycluters, providing expertise, extra equipment, moral support, and information about gear, weather, facilities -- like showers, routes, bike laws, and anything else.
The "thinking about it phase" is the pre-behavior change period. People have to THINK about trying something new. The first day is momentous, because they've broken through the pre-change phase.
Remember when you prepared for a big event, like quitting smoking, going on a diet, or changing a job? Trying cycluting requies planning, equipment and effort. You have to want to do it, and mentally psyche yourself.
--Not your typical cycluter
1 comment:
In chemical thermodynamics terms, There must be a large energy hill for many to overcome to try biking to work. How to lower the energy hill? For some, maybe going on a shopping spree in a bike shop would help, get a good bike and all the best gear. Sure, there is an element to cycling that is anti-materialism, but hey, the guilt of buying all the stuff then not using it may provide the impetus to get out and ride.
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