Seven month car-free streak broken

Ken C. M. wrote:
:: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements.
:: I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by
:: the company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by
:: bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one
:: else have feelings of guilt when they have to drive?

No.

🙂

Ken C. M. wrote:
Any one else have feelings

Quoted message said:

of guilt when they have to drive?

Ken

No guilt when I have to drive, just boredom and lethargy

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Not guilty, just irritated. Driving to and fro work is a drag.

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
Them: Is your life organized by the signs of the Zodiac?
Berry: "PULL HANDLE TO INFLATE" and "NO SHARP OBJECTS"? Words to live by.
-- Berry Kercheval in the Monastery

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Now that you are performing high-risk (according to them) duties using
your own vehicle (I presume) they should compensate you accordingly.
Perhaps a company vehicle or mileage to cover your increased costs.
They should also compensate you for increased costs for commuting as
well as healthcare. Did they provide a membership to a gym for the lost
exercise time? Are they compensating your for lost time with family due
to a shift in your workout schedule?

These are the considerations I would weigh when taking on new
responsibilities.

-Buck

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Yes I do. When I lived 15 miles from work I would go months without
motoring to work. When I finally did drive I always felt guilty. Now
I live 25 miles from work so my bicycle commutes are not as frequent
(74 work days last year). I feel less guilty, probably just because
I'm more accustomed to driving.

At the beach here in San Diego we have armed police on bicycle.
Perhaps your company will let you cycle to the bank while carrying a
gun. (Just being cynical).

Tom

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Ken

I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I use
my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a parking
spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car my
awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can remain
parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue your life as
you wish to live it. You might look into prices for armored car
pick-ups too.

You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make it
a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do it.

Joseph

[email hidden] wrote:
:: Ken C. M. wrote:
::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if I
::: did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to work
::: now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to drive?
:::
::: Ken
::
:: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
:: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
:: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car
:: my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
:: distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a rationalization by
someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a car. Not that I disagree
with your choice to do so, BTW.

::
:: But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
:: change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
:: and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
:: required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can
:: remain parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue
:: your life as you wish to live it. You might look into prices for
:: armored car pick-ups too.

I wonder how many people would like to have his job, use their own cars to
do the bank drops, and would not have the "bike riding everywhere" hangup?
Hmm....

::
:: You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make
:: it a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do
:: it.

Well, a "little guilty" isn't the same thing as "feel that bad".

Buck said:

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Now that you are performing high-risk (according to them) duties using
your own vehicle (I presume) they should compensate you accordingly.
Perhaps a company vehicle or mileage to cover your increased costs.
They should also compensate you for increased costs for commuting as
well as healthcare. Did they provide a membership to a gym for the lost
exercise time? Are they compensating your for lost time with family due
to a shift in your workout schedule?

These are the considerations I would weigh when taking on new
responsibilities.

No company vehicle, no mileage comp. but better healthcare plan, no gym
membership, but general increase in salary, no family to lose time with.

I knew when I took the promotion that this day would come eventually but
the overall benefits of the added duties are worth the loss of 50 miles
or so of commute exercise time.

Ken
--
Messengers and mountain bikers share a common chromosome. ~James Bethea

Quoted message said:

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Ken

I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I use
my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a parking
spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car my
awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can remain
parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue your life as
you wish to live it. You might look into prices for armored car
pick-ups too.

Armored car pick ups would be nice. But not likely to be approved by the
main corporate office.

Quoted message said:

You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make it
a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do it.

Well I say I feel a little guilty, I don't feel bad enough that I am
going to off myself over it.

Ken
--
Messengers and mountain bikers share a common chromosome. ~James Bethea

Ken C. M. said:

Quoted message said:

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Ken

I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I use
my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a parking
spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car my
awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can remain
parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue your life as
you wish to live it. You might look into prices for armored car
pick-ups too.

Armored car pick ups would be nice. But not likely to be approved by the
main corporate office.

Quoted message said:

You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make it
a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do it.

Well I say I feel a little guilty, I don't feel bad enough that I am
going to off myself over it.

Ken

Do you make these drops after work on the way home to a bank drop box?
Or do you do it during the day inside an open bank branch?

I doubt your employer could provide any evidence that riding is a
greater risk than driving to the bank, but they don't really have to.

I'm 166/178 commutes by bike this calendar year.

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:07:00 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
<[email hidden]> wrote, in part:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote:
:: Ken C. M. wrote:
::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if I
::: did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to work
::: now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to drive?
:::
::: Ken
::
:: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
:: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
:: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car
:: my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
:: distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a rationalization by
someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a car. Not that I disagree
with your choice to do so, BTW.

I regularly make bank deposits with my bicycle. It's a mundane task.
I don't know that I'd feel more or less safe in a car. I feel least
safe in the line-up awaiting an open wicket. I'm always glad to get
out of a bank without incident.

I can agree that the cyclist generally has greater situational
awareness and I can appreciate that it definitely helps maintain ones
personal security.

I'd think people in the more expensive cars would be most likely to
catch the eye of a thief. Bicycle riders are pretty much under the
radar.
--
zk

Buck said:

Now that you are performing high-risk (according to them) duties using
your own vehicle (I presume) they should compensate you accordingly.
Perhaps a company vehicle or mileage to cover your increased costs.
They should also compensate you for increased costs for commuting as
well as healthcare. Did they provide a membership to a gym for the lost
exercise time? Are they compensating your for lost time with family due
to a shift in your workout schedule?

These are the considerations I would weigh when taking on new
responsibilities.

-Buck

Everyone makes these calculations, at least implicitly, when
considering a position and all the +'s and -'s associated with it. Your
list is a bit narrow (to my thinking) as it doesn't include such things
as 1) opportunity to learn/grow in the position 2) opportunity to
advance 3) collegiality of the workplace... .

I will say that as an employer for the past 35 years I'd have to be
pretty desparate to hire someone who would ask me for extra
compensation for lost time with the family due to a shift in workout
schedule. Many of the folks I know have put in many weeks of 70+
hours and those of us who have families and like to work out have
figured out how to do that as well. OK TV vegetation may suffer.

Zoot Katz wrote:
:: On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:07:00 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
:: <[email hidden]> wrote, in part:
::
::: [email hidden] wrote:
::::: Ken C. M. wrote:
:::::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
:::::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
:::::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if
:::::: I did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to
:::::: work now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to
:::::: drive?
::::::
:::::: Ken
:::::
::::: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
::::: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
::::: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the
::::: car my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike.
::::: To many distractions using the car, better situational awareness
::::: on my bike.
:::
::: I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a
::: rationalization by someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a
::: car. Not that I disagree with your choice to do so, BTW.
::
:: I regularly make bank deposits with my bicycle. It's a mundane task.
:: I don't know that I'd feel more or less safe in a car. I feel least
:: safe in the line-up awaiting an open wicket. I'm always glad to get
:: out of a bank without incident.

If I had large amounts of someone else's money, I'd feel safer in a car.
Period.

::
:: I can agree that the cyclist generally has greater situational
:: awareness and I can appreciate that it definitely helps maintain ones
:: personal security.

I think "situational awareness" is useless when someone is robbing you. It
is too easy to threaten someone on a bike compared to someone in a car.

::
:: I'd think people in the more expensive cars would be most likely to
:: catch the eye of a thief. Bicycle riders are pretty much under the
:: radar.

I don't think it's much of a problem for the typical person driving a car.

Dane Buson said:

Ken C. M. said:

But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Quoted message said:

Not guilty, just irritated. Driving to and fro work is a drag.

This is why when I bought a new car a couple of years ago, I got one
that fit me right (the driver's seat, pedals and steering wheel/shifter
reach fit me like a glove) and was fun to drive (the clutch is nice and
light, the shifter is "snick snick" as the car magazines say, nice
handling and good acceleration and brakes).

And I don't drive during peak rush hour times, so I rarely hit much stop
and go traffic.

While I prefer riding my bike to/from work, I very much enjoy driving my
car too. I know I don't have nearly as much fun driving my wife's
minivan with automatic transmission. It's almost like riding a bike,
but coasting :-).

The minivan's faster off the line in normal driving, mainly because the
automatic is better than I am from a dead stop, and I prefer not to
abuse my car's transmission and tires too much, but the van's more
sluggish in acceleration once moving, and of course the handling isn't
nearly as good.

--
I do not accept unsolicited commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for
legitimate replies.

Roger Zoul said:

[email hidden] wrote:
:: Ken C. M. wrote:
::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if I
::: did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to work
::: now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to drive?
:::
::: Ken
::
:: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
:: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
:: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car
:: my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
:: distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a rationalization by
someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a car. Not that I disagree
with your choice to do so, BTW.

The bank box (an armored drawer in the side of the building) is right
across the street from a square where all the junkies hang out. The
parking is tight. So I have to devote my focus to driving my car in a
congested area, fighting for a space, get out of the car, lock it, go
walk to the parking meter down the block some place, walk back to the
car, open it, lean in and put the meter slip in the window, close the
door, lock it, walk over to the drawer and make my drop. All while
keeping eyes open in the back of my head. MUCH easier to just roll up
on my bike to the drawer, make the drop and roll away. I don't even
dismount the bike, just put one foot down.

Quoted message said:

::
:: But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
:: change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
:: and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
:: required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can
:: remain parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue
:: your life as you wish to live it. You might look into prices for
:: armored car pick-ups too.

I wonder how many people would like to have his job, use their own cars to
do the bank drops, and would not have the "bike riding everywhere" hangup?
Hmm....

It's not like he's a child-laborer in a brick factory in India. I'm
sure his emplyer would actually go pretty far to accomodate his wishes,
if he makes them known.

Quoted message said:

::
:: You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make
:: it a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do
:: it.

Well, a "little guilty" isn't the same thing as "feel that bad".

That is true, but if he is sitting in traffic every day being irritated
about it, it will probably only get worse. No reason to do somethng he
doesn't want to, if he really doesn't want to.

Joseph

Ken C. M. said:

Quoted message said:

Ken C. M. said:

Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job requirements. I
now have to make deposits at the bank daily which is considered by the
company I work for to be a security risk if I did this by bicycle. But I
feel a little guilty not riding to work now. Any one else have feelings
of guilt when they have to drive?

Ken

I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I use
my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a parking
spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the car my
awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike. To many
distractions using the car, better situational awareness on my bike.

But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required to
change your behavior outside of work. What if they required that you
and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If a car is
required to make bank drops, they should provide the car. It can remain
parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can continue your life as
you wish to live it. You might look into prices for armored car
pick-ups too.

Armored car pick ups would be nice. But not likely to be approved by the
main corporate office.

Quoted message said:

You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to make it
a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad, don't do it.

Well I say I feel a little guilty, I don't feel bad enough that I am
going to off myself over it.

Ken

I didn't mean you felt THAT bad!

IMO more responsibiities at work should not preclude you from doing
something you like to do outside of work. As new Regional Maneger, you
are no longer allowed to fly radio-controlled airplanes on Sunday. That
is of course an exageration, but the idea is the same.

Joseph

Roger Zoul said:

Zoot Katz wrote:
:: On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:07:00 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
:: <[email hidden]> wrote, in part:
::
::: [email hidden] wrote:
::::: Ken C. M. wrote:
:::::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
:::::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
:::::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if
:::::: I did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to
:::::: work now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to
:::::: drive?
::::::
:::::: Ken
:::::
::::: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
::::: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
::::: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the
::::: car my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike.
::::: To many distractions using the car, better situational awareness
::::: on my bike.
:::
::: I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a
::: rationalization by someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a
::: car. Not that I disagree with your choice to do so, BTW.
::
:: I regularly make bank deposits with my bicycle. It's a mundane task.
:: I don't know that I'd feel more or less safe in a car. I feel least
:: safe in the line-up awaiting an open wicket. I'm always glad to get
:: out of a bank without incident.

If I had large amounts of someone else's money, I'd feel safer in a car.
Period.

Maybe in the car, but it is the getting out of the car that is the
problem.

Quoted message said:

::
:: I can agree that the cyclist generally has greater situational
:: awareness and I can appreciate that it definitely helps maintain ones
:: personal security.

I think "situational awareness" is useless when someone is robbing you. It
is too easy to threaten someone on a bike compared to someone in a car.

The situational awareness helps avoid being robbed. You see what is
coming sooner, and are able to avoid it before it happens. When you
lack this awareness, someone is in your face robbing you before you
even know what is going on.

Joseph

Quoted message said:

::
:: I'd think people in the more expensive cars would be most likely to
:: catch the eye of a thief. Bicycle riders are pretty much under the
:: radar.

I don't think it's much of a problem for the typical person driving a car.

[email hidden] wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: [email hidden] wrote:
::::: Ken C. M. wrote:
:::::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
:::::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
:::::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if
:::::: I did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to
:::::: work now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to
:::::: drive?
::::::
:::::: Ken
:::::
::::: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
::::: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
::::: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the
::::: car my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike.
::::: To many distractions using the car, better situational awareness
::::: on my bike.
:::
::: I find this hard to believe, honestly. It sounds like a
::: rationalization by someone who prefers to ride a bike to driving a
::: car. Not that I disagree with your choice to do so, BTW.
::
:: The bank box (an armored drawer in the side of the building) is right
:: across the street from a square where all the junkies hang out. The
:: parking is tight. So I have to devote my focus to driving my car in a
:: congested area, fighting for a space, get out of the car, lock it, go
:: walk to the parking meter down the block some place, walk back to the
:: car, open it, lean in and put the meter slip in the window, close the
:: door, lock it, walk over to the drawer and make my drop. All while
:: keeping eyes open in the back of my head. MUCH easier to just roll up
:: on my bike to the drawer, make the drop and roll away. I don't even
:: dismount the bike, just put one foot down.

So you're comparing WALKING to riding a bike, not to using a car. Come on,
people.

::
::
:::::
::::: But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now
::::: required to change your behavior outside of work. What if they
::::: required that you and your wife switched which side of the bed
::::: you use? If a car is required to make bank drops, they should
::::: provide the car. It can remain parked at work, be used as
::::: necessary, and you can continue your life as you wish to live it.
::::: You might look into prices for armored car pick-ups too.
:::
::: I wonder how many people would like to have his job, use their own
::: cars to do the bank drops, and would not have the "bike riding
::: everywhere" hangup? Hmm....
::
:: It's not like he's a child-laborer in a brick factory in India. I'm
:: sure his emplyer would actually go pretty far to accomodate his
:: wishes, if he makes them known.

Right. You're very biased in your POV.

::
:::::
::::: You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to
::::: make it a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad,
::::: don't do it.
:::
::: Well, a "little guilty" isn't the same thing as "feel that bad".
::
:: That is true, but if he is sitting in traffic every day being
:: irritated about it, it will probably only get worse. No reason to do
:: somethng he doesn't want to, if he really doesn't want to.

Again, you're very biased.

I'm all for cycling, but this argument your pushing stretches credibility.

[email hidden] wrote:
:: Ken C. M. wrote:
::: [email hidden] wrote:
:::: Ken C. M. wrote:
::::
::::: Had to start commuting by car this week due to new job
::::: requirements. I now have to make deposits at the bank daily which
::::: is considered by the company I work for to be a security risk if
::::: I did this by bicycle. But I feel a little guilty not riding to
::::: work now. Any one else have feelings of guilt when they have to
::::: drive?
:::::
::::: Ken
::::
::::
:::: I make bank drops using my bike. I feel safer actually then when I
:::: use my car. Using my car I get distracted because I have to find a
:::: parking spot, go pay at the meter, and getting in and out of the
:::: car my awareness of the surroundings isn't as good as on a bike.
:::: To many distractions using the car, better situational awareness
:::: on my bike.
::::
:::: But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are now required
:::: to change your behavior outside of work. What if they required
:::: that you and your wife switched which side of the bed you use? If
:::: a car is required to make bank drops, they should provide the car.
:::: It can remain parked at work, be used as necessary, and you can
:::: continue your life as you wish to live it. You might look into
:::: prices for armored car pick-ups too.
::::
::: Armored car pick ups would be nice. But not likely to be approved
::: by the main corporate office.
:::
:::: You only live once. If your well-being is at stake, you need to
:::: make it a priority. If driving really makes you feel that bad,
:::: don't do it.
:::
::: Well I say I feel a little guilty, I don't feel bad enough that I am
::: going to off myself over it.
:::
::: Ken
::
:: I didn't mean you felt THAT bad!
::
:: IMO more responsibiities at work should not preclude you from doing
:: something you like to do outside of work. As new Regional Maneger,
:: you are no longer allowed to fly radio-controlled airplanes on
:: Sunday. That is of course an exageration, but the idea is the same.

Dude, you're extreme. Imagine he tells them, "Hey, this job requires me to
drive my car in so I can drop your money at the bank, and that impacts my
life outside of work." What is the reasonable thing for them to do? Get
someone else to do that job that doesn't have that issue (which is almost
everyone else). From what I know of Ken, I'm certain he'll find time to for
his bike. I personally would love to ride to/from work, but it's 40 miles
one way. I'm not going to move to that tiny city just so I can ride to/from
work. I'll just ride at other times.