Money-Saving Tips

[toBnruG 1,177]

It's only a tip, not trying to de-rail the thread. But how about quitting your gym membership, putting a cover over your car, and cycling everywhere instead of driving.
You'll save plenty of money and be happier and healthier for it.

[Krieg 15,112]

I cycle a lot and still go to the gym. It all depends on your fitness targets. Cycling is a good exercise but not really that good as only exercise you do. If you go from not exercising at all to cycling several times a week it is still better than nothing of course. And cycling is as effective as jogging with the big advantage that is not an impact activity.

[fraufruit 42,699]

Winter is coming. 😁

[skinnypuppy 95]

"Winter is coming. 😁"
Yes, it seems to do that every year. And...?

[Krieg 15,112]

I don't know .. maybe that 99.9999% of the regular cyclists stop cycling in winter because it is too cold and too dangerous?

[keith2011 2,707]

You can get winter tyres for bicycles these day, not that I would ever bother, when there is snow or ice on the streets I take the bus Other than that though, cycling in winter, as long as you have warm clothing and a ski mask when it is really cold, is fine, much nicer than motorcycling, which no matter what you wear, always results in frozen hands, feet and knees!

[Krieg 15,112]

Nah, cycling it is still too dangerous. And I am one of the few one who dare to ride a few days during winter. It is dark in the morning when going to work, and it is dark in the night. And car drivers do not expect cyclists on the road.

And actually motorcycling can be better, the freezing hands can be solved by installing hand heaters in the handlebar. The rest is not really a big issue. And about car drivers, yes, you have to be careful as well because they might not expect you, but you are more visible and you have speed and power to scape from dangerous situations.

[keith2011 2,707]

Fortunately there are lots of cycle paths here in Munich and plenty of 30kph and you can keep dynamo powered led lights brightly lit even when not moving these days. With motorcycle riding in winter it is not whether your hands freeze but how long you can ride before frost bite threatens, handlebar hand warmers, in my experience extend that time but not much and speed and power are useless on icy or snow covered roads!

[Fietsrad 433]

Fewer cyclists in winter is good news in my small town where many cycleways are too narrow, although there is space to make them wide enough.

How can anyone cycle in a big town, like Berlin?

As a motorist I would not advocate more motor traffic. And as a cyclist I really do not want more cycling, nimby at least😕

[skinnypuppy 95]

"How can anyone cycle in a big town, like Berlin?"

I cycle almost every day year round in central Berlin. The car drivers are far less problematic than the entitled "cyclists".

[Fietsrad 433]

The "problem cyclists" are not cyclists, they are €bikers (motor vehicles) 😕
..
I do read the so-called special offers from the food retailers. They try to tempt people with goods costing a few Pfennigs less (less than what?), so you get all your food there, most at normal prices Plus.

I just use the little store in the next street for nearly everything. Saves a lot. Of time🙂

[keith2011 2,707]

"The "problem cyclists" are not cyclists, they are €bikers (motor vehicles) 😕"

I would say it's the spandex brigade on racing/gravel bikes!

[Gambatte 980]

I cycle year round. Winter as comfortable as summer. But I'm fortunate that car traffic is acceptably low in my cycle routes.

[skinnypuppy 95]

"The "problem cyclists" are not cyclists, they are €bikers (motor vehicles) 😕"

"I would say it's the spandex brigade on racing/gravel bikes!"

Most of the "problem cyclists" I see in Berlin are normal people on human-powered city bikes who think it's perfectly fine to cut off an already turning vehicle just because they have the green light. Next are young parents with kids in cargo bikes who seem to think the kids will serve well as a bumper when they run a red light.
And before the other entitled cyclists jump all over me, I've been cycling for many decades in cities much more dangerous than anything Germany can offer. I wear a helmet and stop at red lights. Sometimes I even wave a driver through when I have the right-of-way. A little give-and-take can go a long way.

[Krieg 15,112]

> city bikes who think it's perfectly fine to cut off an already turning vehicle just because they have the green light

wtf? If the bike has the right of way the car is the one in the wrong. I understand the problem of the stupid mentality of some Germans who will drive direct into an accident just because they are right, that's Darwinism. But still the car is in the wrong, the car is supposed to wait for the cyclist, assuming the car is turning right and the cyclist is going straight.

[snowingagain 5,470]

I find it refreshing how good (most) drivers are about this. Slow right down and shoulder check.

[skinnypuppy 95]

"...the car is supposed to wait for the cyclist, assuming the car is turning right and the cyclist is going straight. "
Absolutely. I'm talking about situations where the driver has done their due diligence and a cyclist tears down the road and swerves in front of the already-turning vehicle. In so many cases, the cyclist (perhaps) has the right-of-way, but is dead or seriously injured for asserting it.

[RajeshG 1,989]

i learnt my lesson of asserting my rights -by getting hit by a car which ran away and eventually i was the loser @skinnypuppy

[Fietsrad 433]

A driver might not deliberately hit a cyclist, or a walker, or other vehicle but they often get frighteningly close to save a couple seconds. If one stumbles there could be a disaster.

When cycling I wait although I have priority because I do not trust any driver to stop and apply the handbrake. "Trau niemand, trau niemand am Steuer!"

There are some confusing phrases in the StVO about : not endangering others, and about: not unduly delaying others.

Whatabout the police? They do next to nothing, in the UK too where they stopped my mate because he was going "too slowly"🤔

[snowingagain 5,470]

I am perplexed that many drive worse when it is raining. I have never undestood that. Lashing down, windscreen wipers going full blast. And they drive the same speed as they would on a sunny, dry day.