THERE has recently been a lot of discussion, in print and on TV, about encouraging cycling as a means of discouraging car use as a means of commuting.
A significant reason for not cycling to work is that since the 1950s the workplace for most people has changed. Modern workplaces no longer have provision for drying wet clothes, an inevitability of cycling in our climate.
When I started working in the 1960s the place had a room where wet clothes could be hung up to dry. A move to brand new premises a couple of years later meant an end of that facility and cycling to work. I then incurred bus fares.
READ MORE: New Scottish Government strategy to help Scots get cycling
Prior to working I cycled a couple of miles to school, my late father cycled more than three miles to work and my elder sister a similar distance to her workplace. In all cases cycling was quicker than using public transport (buses) and was a direct journey without changes involved.
This brings me back to the main point, that without facilities to dry wet clothes in the workplace, there is unlikely to be a mass move towards cycling to work any time soon.
People do not fancy going about their work in wet clothes.
Drew Reid
Falkirk
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