Have been thinking about doing this for a bit. Would save me 15.00 a week on bus fares and probably make me a lot healthier.
Is it safe, practical (am 5 miles out)? Have the bike but what about carrying stuff?
Cheers

Depends on what you want to carry. A small backpack probably easiest but make sure its bright. You could get a rack and pannier bags too. Get a hi visability vest and lights for dark nights and wear a helmet. You may want to see if there's somewhere to get changed at work too as if its a hot day you don't want to work in sweaty clothes all day.

I'd love to cycle to work and would certainly leave the car at home and use my bike every Monday - Friday if I could. Unfortunately I see how cyclists get treated by some drivers and don't feel like becoming another victim, if there was a decent cycle route that provided safety from my area to my area of work then I'd consider it.

The other point that puts me off is that my office doesn't have a shower. This means that I can't get refreshed once at work and I'm not keen about sitting here all hot and sweaty.

It's a shame because with Sheffield being hilly and there being several steep roads on my route this would be a decent workout riding to and from work that I could add to my fitness routine. It would also be cheaper for me too, saving fuel but there are many roads in Sheffield that I'd never want to ride on, they are too cycle unfriendly and dangerous. I nearly get wiped out when I take my motorbike to work on many occasions by people that don't see you or don't care. I think on a cycle you're even less likely to be seen and treated with even less respect.

If you are really concerned about the safety of your route to work you could cosider having some of the cycling lessons from pedal pushers. I believe they'll help you plan the route and then cycle the route with you and help you with road safety.
This is a link to their site.

http://axelrod.plus.com/ppmw/index.php/Pedalpushers

The government's cycle route planner is 'vert helpful' as you'd expect. http://www.cyclejourneyplanner.org.uk/

London appears to have a cycle route planner, why can't we have one for Sheffield? Although I know the roads around here, I know very little about the possible route I could take to work should I use my bike. Anyone feeling like setting one up? :D

If you are really concerned about the safety of your route to work you could cosider having some of the cycling lessons from pedal pushers. I believe they'll help you plan the route and then cycle the route with you and help you with road safety.
This is a link to their site.

http://axelrod.plus.com/ppmw/index.php/Pedalpushers
There used to be a link for cycle training from the coucil website at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/transport-and-highways/transport-planning/cycling/cycle-training but it looks to have gone offline now.

If pedalpushers can't help then it may be worth calling the council to enquire.

You/we pay for a council officer responsible for cycling.

His name is Andy Wild and his number is 273 4479.
He produces a quarterly leaflet and the latest has an item that reads:

"Cycle Training
The thing that puts most people off cycling in Sheffield is not the hills, but the traffic. Never Fear, help is at hand.
You can take advantage of a free two-hour cycle training session.
The training is one-to-one and is provided by CTC - and Department for Transport - accredited cycle trainers working to the new National Standard for cycle training.
The training is tailored to your need, from beginners to advanced."

..."On-road traing, in traffic, on routes you would normally ride."
..."Gender matching with your instructor"
..."Day and evening lessons"



also:

"Tuesday 19th September 'Routes Around Town'
Explore the safe routes around town. .....
5:30pm - 7:00pm Start Barkers Pool
A slow ride at the pace of the slowest rider....."



(CTC = Cyclists Touring Club)

The council site's links to routes / maps is offline and the information on the training is offline. You get an 'opps, page missing' page instead, so thanks for posting that.

It mentions on there that we are apparently one of the greenest cities in the UK? I never knew that :D

traveling down bramall lane every morning on the school run, i sympathise hugely with the cyclists on there - a designated cycle lane just gets abused by other motorists ... although i had an exchange of words with a biker who objected to me being too close to the central white line, when all i was doing was making sure i gave the many cyclists enough room. (i didnt pull out into his path, before anyone jumps to conclusions!!)
There are several families i see using that cycle path ... but i do wonder why they dont go onto the pavement when it gets to big roundabout - im sure the cycle path takes them down the underpass? why on earth risk life and limb going onto the roundabout?

Good luck to anyone who dares cycle round sheffield!!
I used to cycle when i lived in central london ... but not for long - one inconsiderate motorist too many for my liking!!

I cycle to work, from Burngreave into town and back, not exactly far but it's good for me and much quicker than driving. I do stick the the pavement on the wicker, it's plenty big enough. I would say give it a go, just be aware that people tend not to notice people on bikes, busses are especially bad at forcing you into the pavement. I will soon be cycling from Burngreave to Sheffield airport business centre as our office is moving, not sure how much fun that will be. I think alot depends on where you live and what route you take.

I have to admit, I'd be tempted by the pavements too although I know that's not ideal for pedestrians.

When I take the car to work I look out for cyclists, but I see plenty that don't and I'd hate to be on the receiving end so it puts me off quite a bit.

The council site's links to routes / maps is offline and the information on the training is offline. You get an 'opps, page missing' page instead

The new 2006 cycling in Sheffield doc is offline, but the cycle route maps are still there it seems:

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/cycling-and-walking/cycling/sheffield-cycle-map

I've been cycling to work (only a mile and a half admittedly) for a year or two now and I found that after a couple of months I was much more confident about traffic - you soon get to know what to expect of drivers and when you can be more assertive yourself.

I also drive a car, and have found that I probably look out for cyclists more than I used to before I tried cycling in traffic...

Is it safe, practical (am 5 miles out)? Have the bike but what about carrying stuff?

Hi Whipet, I've cycled in Sheffield almost daily since 1991. You seem pretty aware that not all car drivers respect cyclists and their right to be on the road. I'd be lying if I said it was safe, having been knocked off by a car, but the more cyclists there are, the safer it becomes as awareness increases. Is there anyone you work with who lives near you who would cycle in with you? 5 miles is a perfectly practical distance to cycle - just allow yourself extra time to fine tune the route initially. The main advice I would offer is to always wear a high visibility vest and a helmet. I've been told to cycle approx 1 metre from the kerb to force cars to wait behind before overtaking when there is oncoming traffic. I seem to end up being intimidated in rush hour and cycle closer to the kerb, and cars pass me far too closely which scares me daily. It's best if you can adopt an assertive stance. I have a bike mirror attached to the right side of my handlebars to look out for approaching trouble. You could also use a 'lollipop' which sticks out horizontally from the rear of the bike to remind cars to pass a bit wider. If you're planning on being a 4-seasons cyclist, invest in some decent breathable waterproofs, preferably designed for cycling. Re carrying stuff, I would advise against carrying it on your back as it restricts movement and gets too hot. Get a pannier rack and some panniers, or an office bag type thing designed for bikes (easier to handle off the bike; think Halfords do them). If you need any bike stuff, google 'wiggle' and you'll find a good site. Keep alert to danger at all times and go for it :thumbsup: