So far I haven't encountered any hostility. What I have found though is most people are interested or curious. One of my (overweight) work colleagues who is only 26 years old is now thinking on digging his bike out from the back of the shed. Others start looking dreamy (reminiscing of the days of their youth when they used to fly around on two wheels).

I also think a lot of them are now contemplating cheaper ways of getting from A to B. The price of fuel here is nearly £4 per gallon ($8), insurance is sky-high as is road tax. That's not counting the cost of putting the car through it's yearly MOT test and repairs, plus the cost of parking.

Since I started commuting to and from work I've saved well over £100 which has gone towards the cost of my new bike.

Then of course, there's the all-important health benefits. I'm very slim anyway but my leg muscles are toning up quite nicely, I sleep sooooo much better and awaken refreshed instead of like something nasty out of Night of the Living Dead I'm better tempered too (I tend to be very fiery).

Perhaps some people are jealous - and a bit frightened. Some are just plain lazy.