On your bike(economist.com)
economist.com
On your bike
http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=12270958
58 comments
What's your country?
Albania. Until 1991 there were no private cars in the country. Only government cars, and taxis. I remember when I was a little kid, that I would go with my friends in a road, and play/count if the next car plate was even or odd. Even in main roads, cars would come only once or twice a minute.
After 91 everyone could buy a car. My parents got their first car in 96, when traffic was pretty light. I started driving then, and it was awesome. Parking was easy. My high-school friends were impressed. I could go to the beach on my own timeline, and no need to get into a bus, or a van. And enjoy some really nice scenery going to the south.
Fast forward 2007 (last time I was back home), there is traffic everywhere, parking is hard. Lots of shiny cars, that can't go more than 10mph b/c of the traffic. smog/pollution increased . Etc.
I have a friend, that switched to bikes to get to work (he still has a car, but uses it only for out of town trips), and another one that bought a scooter, as they are much more practical.
After 91 everyone could buy a car. My parents got their first car in 96, when traffic was pretty light. I started driving then, and it was awesome. Parking was easy. My high-school friends were impressed. I could go to the beach on my own timeline, and no need to get into a bus, or a van. And enjoy some really nice scenery going to the south.
Fast forward 2007 (last time I was back home), there is traffic everywhere, parking is hard. Lots of shiny cars, that can't go more than 10mph b/c of the traffic. smog/pollution increased . Etc.
I have a friend, that switched to bikes to get to work (he still has a car, but uses it only for out of town trips), and another one that bought a scooter, as they are much more practical.
Thanks for reporting.
I've got a compact folding bike that I take with me on public transportation if I have to or anywhere really since it folds into a compact carry on. I'm always in shape and would never want to go back to driving a car again unless I'm forced to. Great fitness, great spirit, very civilized, extremely frugal, the fastest and most pragmatic way of transport in the city. There's a social bonus as well: almost every day I have a chat with a stranger (yes, chicks too) who get impressed by the idea. Highly recommended.
What folding bike would you recommend? I have toyed with the idea for a while, but all bikes I have seen so far seemed to heavy in the end.
http://www.einradladen.net/shop/images/big_ei1007_einrad_24_...
That's what I use. It does not fold and is slower than most normal bicycles. But very light weight and it's mechanics are easy to understand and repair even for me.
That's what I use. It does not fold and is slower than most normal bicycles. But very light weight and it's mechanics are easy to understand and repair even for me.
What kind of speed can you attain on one of those? I have one with a 26" tire (mountain-bike size), because I've pretty tall, but I still haven't quite got the hang of riding it.
Because of the small tires, you aren't going to fly around, but a reasonable commuting speed (~15mph) on flat-ish is normal.
Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/) and Dahon (http://www.dahon.com/) are popular in the U.S.
In case you don't think folders are "real" bikes, note that they are ridden by many serious cyclists (http://www.bikefriday.com/node/4813).
Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/) and Dahon (http://www.dahon.com/) are popular in the U.S.
In case you don't think folders are "real" bikes, note that they are ridden by many serious cyclists (http://www.bikefriday.com/node/4813).
On my unicycle (24") I am as fast as a jogger. So more like 15 km/h than 15 mph for me.
By the way: My recumbent bike has even smaller tires (20") but it is way faster. The size of the tires is not the limiting factor in unicycle speed --- it's the fact that you have to keep balance and input power using the same system.
Right, which is why my speed tends to very briefly approach terminal velocity.
I have a fixed-gear mountain bike with 700c x 42mm ("really big") tires, and that doesn't really affect speed much either. The wheels very clearly have a sort of flywheel effect, though: once I'm moving, they hold a lot of momentum. (It's excellent for commuting in snow, BTW.)
I have a fixed-gear mountain bike with 700c x 42mm ("really big") tires, and that doesn't really affect speed much either. The wheels very clearly have a sort of flywheel effect, though: once I'm moving, they hold a lot of momentum. (It's excellent for commuting in snow, BTW.)
Your picture link shows a unicycle, not a folding bike.
Like I said, it does not fold.
I chose the very basic I could find: a single speed Dahon Boardwalk. It has a steel frame so it's not that light, but I'm OK with the weight. The bike is simple so there's not much to break and for a year and a half of (ab)use it has been solid. Where I live it's mostly flat, so it may not be the best choice for hilly SF for example, although I hear fixies are popular there. Bike forums are best to discuss these matters.
Fixies are terrible for hilly areas, but they're trendy as hell ATM, so that probably explains it.
Still, they're nice: there's really not much to break (or spend time maintaining). They are also incredibly easy to keep stable on ice and snow, provided you have reasonable tires. If the wheels start to lose traction, the pedals lurch, and you reflexively stabilize them.
Still, they're nice: there's really not much to break (or spend time maintaining). They are also incredibly easy to keep stable on ice and snow, provided you have reasonable tires. If the wheels start to lose traction, the pedals lurch, and you reflexively stabilize them.
I bike most places. There's good access and good parking at my university, so on bad weather days, or when I'm late, I take the car.
My problem is sweat, as much as rain. After biking for 25 minutes I absolutely need to change my shirt. This is fine for everyday use, since a sweater or polo fold nicely in a backpack, but for business meetings (I'm halftime student, halftime PM), I need a suit-coat and a shirt, and they'll wrinkle way too much in a backpack.
Suggestions?
If you do not have shower facilities, a reasonable proxy is to wait until you've stopped sweating (usually 10 min. post-ride) and clean up with unscented baby wipes in the bathroom (and if needed, use a travel bottle of shampoo to rinse sweat out of your hair). The rule is try not to pack what you can leave at your destination (towels, clothes)
Most bike commuters I know bring batches of clothes to the office and/or wear sweat-wicking business casual (Nike's golf apparel or cheaper). Hopefully you might be able to store a suit/pants with a colleague? They discuss and dissect bike commuting on Bike Forums endlessly. http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20
Most bike commuters I know bring batches of clothes to the office and/or wear sweat-wicking business casual (Nike's golf apparel or cheaper). Hopefully you might be able to store a suit/pants with a colleague? They discuss and dissect bike commuting on Bike Forums endlessly. http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20
I've seen garment-bag-style panniers that hang over both sides of the rack. In my experience, rolling clothes (with that which is most likely to wrinkle on the outside) leaves them far less wrinkly than folding them. It may be worth a try.
Also, I ofter hear of people bringing all of their formal clothes on Monday (whether driving or by e.g. bike trailer) and leaving them at the office through the week.
Also, I ofter hear of people bringing all of their formal clothes on Monday (whether driving or by e.g. bike trailer) and leaving them at the office through the week.
I have a trifold garment bag with backpack straps, and internal padded straps to keep clothes in place. I keep a change of shoes at work. I also have a vest filled with a liquid that freezes at 50 degrees F, to reduce the sweat (I got it at 50degree.com, years ago, but you can probably find it cheaper somwhere else). It's not a perfect solution, but those both help.
I have been biking everywhere with an old school speed bike for the past two years - faster than cars downtown, save $$, environment and feel great man. Cars are for suckers.
What do you do when it rains?
Full mudguards, with mudflaps. Rain jacket (or even better, a rain cape). Wool shirts (year 'round as they keep you warm in the winter, they don't stink, and they can go a week or so between washings). Studded tires in the winter months.
Granted, there are few people who can suddenly become full time bike commuters, unless you happen live in a flat area with a moderate climate. I've been bike commuting full time for about six years, and I did about half time for three years prior to that. I've gotten to the point that when I have to run an errand, I automatically think about hopping on the bike rather than in the car (and this includes errands that requires pulling the kids in the trailer).
Granted, there are few people who can suddenly become full time bike commuters, unless you happen live in a flat area with a moderate climate. I've been bike commuting full time for about six years, and I did about half time for three years prior to that. I've gotten to the point that when I have to run an errand, I automatically think about hopping on the bike rather than in the car (and this includes errands that requires pulling the kids in the trailer).
I get wet.
Seriously, that's it. Being out in the rain in a temperate zone isn't a big problem. You just need a change of shoes and a dry pair of socks at the office, and things are generally fine.
It probably wouldn't work out if I were, say, a trial layer, but then again, all kinds of things about my personal and professional choices wouldn't make sense in that case. Good thing I hang out on "Hacker News," instead of "PHB News," eh?
Seriously, that's it. Being out in the rain in a temperate zone isn't a big problem. You just need a change of shoes and a dry pair of socks at the office, and things are generally fine.
It probably wouldn't work out if I were, say, a trial layer, but then again, all kinds of things about my personal and professional choices wouldn't make sense in that case. Good thing I hang out on "Hacker News," instead of "PHB News," eh?
You can get gore tex shoe covers.
I used to have a winter outfit that consisted of a goretex jacket, goretex pants and shoe covers. If it was really wet, a bit would leak through here and there, but I was basically ok riding around over commuting distances, and was always completely dry after 20 minutes or so.
When I lived in Portland, OR, the public transportation was good, so if it was raining hard in the evening, I'd take the bus home and to work the next day, leaving the bike at work.
I used to have a winter outfit that consisted of a goretex jacket, goretex pants and shoe covers. If it was really wet, a bit would leak through here and there, but I was basically ok riding around over commuting distances, and was always completely dry after 20 minutes or so.
When I lived in Portland, OR, the public transportation was good, so if it was raining hard in the evening, I'd take the bus home and to work the next day, leaving the bike at work.
I've tried the Gore-Tex thing, and honestly prefer to just layer up and stash dry stuff at home and office. I do tend to ride pretty hard (even when commuting), so the problem I have with a really "waterproof" outer shell is that I end up sweating as much moisture out from the inside as is trying to reach me from the outside.
I have a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of "Rain Leg" waterproof chaps which gets me through my 15-minute ride without getting too soaked.
I do agree about the mass transit in Portland in general -- TriMet is fast, cheap, and reliable, in my experience -- but I have to transfer twice in the 4 miles between home and work, so it's not really time-effective.
I have a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of "Rain Leg" waterproof chaps which gets me through my 15-minute ride without getting too soaked.
I do agree about the mass transit in Portland in general -- TriMet is fast, cheap, and reliable, in my experience -- but I have to transfer twice in the 4 miles between home and work, so it's not really time-effective.
Very hard, public transit or work from home. Light rain, jacket. I ain't made of sugar.
I don't speak for jbrun, but I wear a raincoat.
When it snows, I wear a coat, a hat, and gloves.
When it snows, I wear a coat, a hat, and gloves.
My quality of living is substantially higher due to the fact that I commute by bicycle instead of by car. I save hundreds of dollars a month, get at least 40 minutes of exercise every day, and have an interesting sport/hobby to engage in when I have a few hours free on the weekend.
As a programmer, the exercise and outdoor activity components are particularly critical. I do some of my best "mental coding" while riding to and from work, and while I may have put on a few pounds in the last couple of years, it's not the unhealthy, inactivity-driven sort of weight gain that would make me worry about heart problems or diabetes.
As a programmer, the exercise and outdoor activity components are particularly critical. I do some of my best "mental coding" while riding to and from work, and while I may have put on a few pounds in the last couple of years, it's not the unhealthy, inactivity-driven sort of weight gain that would make me worry about heart problems or diabetes.
I love biking: I ride a fixed gear to school almost every day, it's only a few miles and I can get to class faster if you include the time it takes to park and walk to class.
The health benefits for riding a bicycle are a fantastic reason to start and continue doing it.
But one thing I would just like to point out to everyone - you are going to pay for fuel, either way. You might not be paying for oil when you bike, but you definitely need to pay for food. If you are trying to lose weight and reduce your calories, I guess you can afford to eat less, but eventually you'll need to eat a lot (really, it's a noticeable increase) of food to make up for your exercising. And that costs money - so I really wonder about the savings gained from biking.
This shouldn't detract anyone from riding a bike, I'm just sayin'.
The health benefits for riding a bicycle are a fantastic reason to start and continue doing it.
But one thing I would just like to point out to everyone - you are going to pay for fuel, either way. You might not be paying for oil when you bike, but you definitely need to pay for food. If you are trying to lose weight and reduce your calories, I guess you can afford to eat less, but eventually you'll need to eat a lot (really, it's a noticeable increase) of food to make up for your exercising. And that costs money - so I really wonder about the savings gained from biking.
This shouldn't detract anyone from riding a bike, I'm just sayin'.
Definitely. Going for a lunch sprint can help get the blood pumping again on slow days, too. :)
Going from 4 wheels to 2 is a good start. The next step is a commuter unicycle, like these:
http://nhoover.smugmug.com/gallery/5974354_EUa4J#372904495_M...
(that's me on the right edge.)
Surprisingly, I feel safer on it than on a bike, because my CG is higher than the roof of most cars. Also, the dreaded "door prize" would be more at thigh level than head level.
It's pretty hard to uni after dark, though, because you need to anticipate bumps and potholes.
Surprisingly, I feel safer on it than on a bike, because my CG is higher than the roof of most cars. Also, the dreaded "door prize" would be more at thigh level than head level.
It's pretty hard to uni after dark, though, because you need to anticipate bumps and potholes.
How fast can you go with a unicycle? Do the pedals always turn as fast as the wheel, or are they "disconnected"? How do you brake?
When I've seen people unicycle (I'm a 2 wheel man), they go faster than a power walk but slower than a run. Plus, they're smaller and more maneuverable than a bike so they're much easier to take on sidewalks and around pedestrians. Pretty similar to a Segway.
Pedals drive the wheel directly (no gears), so to slow down or stop you just pedal slower and then hop off.
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicycle) is pretty fascinating, including these notable unicyclists: Adam Corolla, Donald Rumsfield, and Claude Shannon!
Pedals drive the wheel directly (no gears), so to slow down or stop you just pedal slower and then hop off.
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicycle) is pretty fascinating, including these notable unicyclists: Adam Corolla, Donald Rumsfield, and Claude Shannon!
I can sustain about 12 mph, so it's about 2/3 as fast as biking. Some harder-core unicyclists can get over 20 mph with extra-short pedal cranks or gearing.
Almost all pedals are 1-1, which is why you want a big wheel. You brake by resisting rotation while you tilt back.
Almost all pedals are 1-1, which is why you want a big wheel. You brake by resisting rotation while you tilt back.
How long are your stopping-distances?
Probably comparable to a bike when I'm going 2/3 the speed. But it can be hard to react suddenly without losing control. Though you usually just land on your feet, running behind the uni in that case.
When I feel the need to wake up and get out of my apartment, I get on my bike, go out the door and bike in the city. Nothing like unpredictable pedestrians and car traffic to wake you up and get you living in the very moment. J. Forester's Effective Cycling literally has hundreds of pages on the effective way to ride in traffic. (http://www.johnforester.com/) [#1 rule - You are invisible - act like you are invisible but signal like you aren't]
I have a monthly public transportation pass but the bike is by far the best way to get around. Since I value my brain, I wear a helmet and I always dislike when I see the pretty girls not wearing helmets (fashion/convenience over safety).
I have a monthly public transportation pass but the bike is by far the best way to get around. Since I value my brain, I wear a helmet and I always dislike when I see the pretty girls not wearing helmets (fashion/convenience over safety).
from http://www.johnforester.com/
> Bikeways neither make cycling much safer nor reduce the skill required. They probably do the reverse.
This is not true.
> Bikeways neither make cycling much safer nor reduce the skill required. They probably do the reverse.
This is not true.
Biking safety is more about your individual experience and ability than it is about having a critical mass of bikers (unless of course the critical mass is majority - as in Amsterdam).
In his book, J. Forester quotes a statistic that roadways are 2.6x safer for bikers than bike paths. Based on this study from Kaplan: http://www.bikexprt.com/research/synthesis/corvallis.htm#kap...
How you ride your bike also depends on your personality - and how much you want your ride to be a videogame... Check out this video of a guy biking through NOLA: http://www.vimeo.com/1918279
From my experience, paths that are physically separated from car's roads that are shared by pedestrians/roller bladers/joggers/baby strollers and bikers on it are not the safest place to be on a moving bicycle. The movement of a pedestrian is not predictable - they might suddenly stop - do a 180, cut in front of you, stoop to tie a shoelace. The skill level of some of the bikers on a path may be beginner (e.g. they do not understand the importance of riding predictable e.g in a straight line). If I do ride a bike on such a path, I'm riding slow and constantly saying 'On your left'. Predictability is very important (see this article about crossing streets in Rome) http://www.worldhum.com/how_to/item/cross_the_street_in_rome...)
Marked bike lanes that are on the side of roads are much safer. You still have to watch out for opening car doors and random-walk pedestrians (again!) but you have room to do evasive maneuvers.
In his book, J. Forester quotes a statistic that roadways are 2.6x safer for bikers than bike paths. Based on this study from Kaplan: http://www.bikexprt.com/research/synthesis/corvallis.htm#kap...
How you ride your bike also depends on your personality - and how much you want your ride to be a videogame... Check out this video of a guy biking through NOLA: http://www.vimeo.com/1918279
From my experience, paths that are physically separated from car's roads that are shared by pedestrians/roller bladers/joggers/baby strollers and bikers on it are not the safest place to be on a moving bicycle. The movement of a pedestrian is not predictable - they might suddenly stop - do a 180, cut in front of you, stoop to tie a shoelace. The skill level of some of the bikers on a path may be beginner (e.g. they do not understand the importance of riding predictable e.g in a straight line). If I do ride a bike on such a path, I'm riding slow and constantly saying 'On your left'. Predictability is very important (see this article about crossing streets in Rome) http://www.worldhum.com/how_to/item/cross_the_street_in_rome...)
Marked bike lanes that are on the side of roads are much safer. You still have to watch out for opening car doors and random-walk pedestrians (again!) but you have room to do evasive maneuvers.
I feel the same. But seeing statistics would be interesting. In absence of a bikeway I normally drive on the sidewalk. (We have wide sidewalks where I live.)
I envy Denmark: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10friedman1.html
It's tough to ride a bicycle to work with so many cars; It's dangerous when the sidewalks are small and crumbling, and there are no bike lanes. The problem is every dollar you spend on infrastructure supporting cars means more people will use cars. Start diverting money to public transit and biking!
It's tough to ride a bicycle to work with so many cars; It's dangerous when the sidewalks are small and crumbling, and there are no bike lanes. The problem is every dollar you spend on infrastructure supporting cars means more people will use cars. Start diverting money to public transit and biking!
It's dangerous when the sidewalks are small and crumbling, and there are no bike lanes.
Not really. Just drive your bike like it's a car. Bike lanes and sidewalks are actually more dangerous than just riding your bike on the street. Most accidents are at intersections; drivers tend to only look for vehicles where they expect them, not on the side of the road (bike lane) or on the sidewalk.
Not really. Just drive your bike like it's a car. Bike lanes and sidewalks are actually more dangerous than just riding your bike on the street. Most accidents are at intersections; drivers tend to only look for vehicles where they expect them, not on the side of the road (bike lane) or on the sidewalk.
I've found that even on (relatively) rural roads, riding on the shoulder signals to cars that they don't have to care about your presence, and they pass so close you wonder if they even saw you. Riding a bit into the road (say a bike width out) makes them explicitly pass you, with plenty of room (generally).
Ahh I've definitely thought about that but I don't think I have the balls for it. It would be so much faster, though...
Do it! For any road where cars are going 35-40mph or less, I'd much rather take my chances with the road. If you're a decent biker you're going 15-20mph so you're from cars' perspective you're going < 20mph and very easy to see and avoid. For pedestrians, you're much bigger AND much faster, and there aren't well-defined rules, so you're very difficult to deal with.
On the sidewalk, you have a narrower, less predictable path, pedestrians, curb cuts, more frequent bumps, plus you're basically invisible to turning cars when going through an intersection. Visibility, road quality, and avoiding pedestrians are the biggest benefits to riding on the road.
For reference, I've bike commuted in Tampa, Provo (at the University), Stockholm, Chicago city and Chicago suburbs)
On the sidewalk, you have a narrower, less predictable path, pedestrians, curb cuts, more frequent bumps, plus you're basically invisible to turning cars when going through an intersection. Visibility, road quality, and avoiding pedestrians are the biggest benefits to riding on the road.
For reference, I've bike commuted in Tampa, Provo (at the University), Stockholm, Chicago city and Chicago suburbs)
_Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips_ (http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000380.php) is by far the best book on safely riding in urban traffic that I've seen.
Bike lanes are more dangerous? I use my bike every day and I know this is not true.
The thought is that they provide a false sense of security, and teach newer riders to be less aware of their surroundings, so when a new rider finds himself in traffic, he is less prepared.
Poor bike lane design is even worse.
Poor bike lane design is even worse.
Maybe you are just unaware of the dangers.
Bike lanes are usually very close to parked cars. A door opens, and you are in the hospital.
Bike lanes are poorly striped at intersections. Sometimes they stick them to the right of all traffic lanes, so if a cyclist in the bike lane stays in it to go through the intersection, he is going to get right-hooked by turning cars. Sometimes the lanes are striped so that straight-through traffic is in the right place, but this encourages cyclists to do stupid things like making turns from the center lane.
Finally, the cars driving in the real traffic lanes push all the debris into the bike lane. That means you will be riding over wires, broken glass, etc., and that you will be very susceptible to flats.
Basically, once you are comfortable riding on the road, you will forget that bike lanes even exist. Riding a bike is statistically somewhat dangerous, but if you actively try to stay safe, you will.
(And oh yeah, please get some freakin' lights for your bike if you are going to ride at night.)
Bike lanes are usually very close to parked cars. A door opens, and you are in the hospital.
Bike lanes are poorly striped at intersections. Sometimes they stick them to the right of all traffic lanes, so if a cyclist in the bike lane stays in it to go through the intersection, he is going to get right-hooked by turning cars. Sometimes the lanes are striped so that straight-through traffic is in the right place, but this encourages cyclists to do stupid things like making turns from the center lane.
Finally, the cars driving in the real traffic lanes push all the debris into the bike lane. That means you will be riding over wires, broken glass, etc., and that you will be very susceptible to flats.
Basically, once you are comfortable riding on the road, you will forget that bike lanes even exist. Riding a bike is statistically somewhat dangerous, but if you actively try to stay safe, you will.
(And oh yeah, please get some freakin' lights for your bike if you are going to ride at night.)
There are a lot of old bikes collecting dust in peoples' garages. Cycling for transportation really doesn't require a new bike, just one that works and is the right size.
The problem i have with 2 wheeled transportation is rain pants. They are an absolute pain in the ass to work with because of shoes. A rain cape doesn't look that consistent and I cant for the love of god find rain chaps anywhere!
I have heard that Rain Legs (http://www.rainlegs.co.uk/) are the cat's pajamas.
The green one is my folding bike: http://ourdoings.com/brlewis/photo.html?th=ve/ee/xmuk.jpg...
It would be interesting to see car vs. motorbike production/sales also.
Mopeds have become quite popular here (GR, MI) over the last few years (http://www.mopedarmy.com/).
full circle.
Addition: I have seen it in my own country. Having a car when a lot people didn't, was awesome. I could go everywhere faster, easy to park, girls take more notice of you... etc.
10 years down the road, now that everybody has cars, it is hard to park, traffic everywhere, not a status symbol anymore.. .etc.
Simply, wealth is a very relative thing.