GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
BEATING TRAFFIC
A Wellington cyclist has once again confirmed that biking to work is “actually faster, ay,” during a conversation that did not involve transport logistics.
Daniel Moore, 34, made the comments unprompted while colleagues discussed roadworks near the Terrace tunnel. Moore, who cycles from Newtown to the CBD regardless of weather conditions, said the numbers “don’t lie”.
“It’s genuinely quicker,” Moore said, shaking rain off his high vis jacket in the office kitchen. “Door to door, I’m beating cars most days.”
Moore said people underestimate the efficiency of two wheels.
“Everyone thinks I’m doing it for fitness or the planet or whatever. But it’s just faster. You skip the traffic, you don’t pay for parking. Easy.”
He confirmed he has timed the journey “multiple times” and maintains a mental leaderboard comparing himself to various colleagues’ commute estimates.
“I passed three utes stuck on Adelaide Road this morning. Same ones every day. They’re not learning.”
Co worker Hannah Patel said the office is well aware of Moore’s commute statistics.
“He’ll come in soaked, shoes squelching, and before he’s even taken his helmet off he’ll say, ‘Twenty two minutes today,’” Patel said. “We didn’t ask. But fair enough.”
Patel confirmed that while most staff drive or bus in, Moore has positioned himself as a kind of unofficial transport analyst.
“He’s always got a fact ready. Like how many minutes he saved last month. Or how his thighs are basically infrastructure now.”
Moore said he does not bring it up to feel superior.
“I just think people should know it’s faster. That’s all. I’m not judging.”
He then checked MetService for the afternoon forecast and quietly began planning how to mention the tailwind tomorrow.
More to come.
