Are bikes the new sports cars? 18/08/2010

Are bikes the new sports cars?

Well, according to reports by the Telegraph and the BBC, yes they are.  Apparently, there is a new cyclist in town: the middle-aged man in Lycra, or MAMIL for short.  This new breed of cyclist is eschewing the traditional mid-life crisis purchase of a soft-topped sports car and is instead buying a bike, donning figure hugging Lycra and taking to the streets.

What are the reasons for this?  Is it men who simply refuse to grow-up?  Could it be that they are becoming more environmentally conscientious and are simply doing their bit for the planet by choosing a greener option for their journey?  Or is the answer a straightforward one - more people are realising that cycling is a great way to get fit, get to where you need to be and have some fun at the same time?  The reason I ride my bike is for all of those reasons as I’m sure it is for most other people, middle-aged and male or otherwise.

This invasion of MAMILs had not gone unnoticed by my local BBC radio station in Sheffield and I received a phone call from one of their researchers asking me to pass comment on this phenomenon on their breakfast show.

And did I do it?  Of course I did, it was too good an opportunity to turn down, and I’d be looking for every chance to shamelessly plug Bike Club as well.

Click here for the link to the show and fast forward to 1:34.40 for the start of the piece.  The link should be available for a week so enjoy it whilst you can.