Comments on: Tools for Normalizing the Bike Commute http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: barbara zeng http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-676147 barbara zeng Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:14:37 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-676147 Well, I really like to know what's the difference between Bionx system and the Stoke Monkey system. Thank you Well, I really like to know what’s the difference between Bionx system and the Stoke Monkey system.

Thank you

]]> By: Jenava http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-616716 Jenava Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:20:25 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-616716 The thing that keeps me riding is that I sold my car and so my only other option is standing in the cold like a fool waiting for the bus while all my fellow bikers pass me by. Not to mention, the last time it snowed in Seattle it took 5 hours by car to get home (6 miles). Biking probably would have a taken just a touch longer than usual (30 mins)...This year I won't be suckered into that hellish commute; I'll definately be on my bike! The thing that keeps me riding is that I sold my car and so my only other option is standing in the cold like a fool waiting for the bus while all my fellow bikers pass me by. Not to mention, the last time it snowed in Seattle it took 5 hours by car to get home (6 miles). Biking probably would have a taken just a touch longer than usual (30 mins)…This year I won’t be suckered into that hellish commute; I’ll definately be on my bike!

]]> By: Coburn http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-229711 Coburn Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:25:28 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-229711 I like the emphasis of your article - normalizing the commute by bike to work. Let's face it - you can't beat the services provided by a car in (a) getting you into work neatly attired, not sweating and (b) its capacity to carry a load. That's why I like the e-assist development combined with the cargo bike. I would like to see more shielding from the weather provided in designs - and there may be more possibilities for canopies if based on a cargo bike frame than a standard bike frame. I like the emphasis of your article – normalizing the commute by bike to work. Let’s face it – you can’t beat the services provided by a car in (a) getting you into work neatly attired, not sweating and (b) its capacity to carry a load. That’s why I like the e-assist development combined with the cargo bike. I would like to see more shielding from the weather provided in designs – and there may be more possibilities for canopies if based on a cargo bike frame than a standard bike frame.

]]> By: Allie http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-220452 Allie Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:14:17 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-220452 Good tips! The electric assist is a sweet idea for the summer ... although I hate sacrificing my exercise in the process :-/ Good tips! The electric assist is a sweet idea for the summer … although I hate sacrificing my exercise in the process :-/

]]> By: Ginger http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-217357 Ginger Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:28:59 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-217357 I'm just starting to commute to work and while I can see some people can do without a car completely, it wouldn't be possible for me. I have 2 sons active in sports and we just wouldn't be able to ride all the places they need to be. Giving up the car just isn't reality for everyone everywhere. HOWEVER... I can certainly bike to work a couple of days a week and that's got great benefits. I have a gym and shower at work so I can clean up easily. Of my 8 mile commute, about 7 of it is on a great bike path along a canal with trees and birds and nature. Only one big danger point on the ride (entrance/exit ramps splitting off the road) so I just try to be extra vigilent there. Making bike commuting an all or nothing thing (ride all the time or drive all the time) does a lot to discourage people from trying. I'm not going to ride on days when I have 3 errands to run (dr.'s appts., etc.) but I can certainly ride to work a couple of days a week. I’m just starting to commute to work and while I can see some people can do without a car completely, it wouldn’t be possible for me. I have 2 sons active in sports and we just wouldn’t be able to ride all the places they need to be. Giving up the car just isn’t reality for everyone everywhere.

HOWEVER… I can certainly bike to work a couple of days a week and that’s got great benefits. I have a gym and shower at work so I can clean up easily. Of my 8 mile commute, about 7 of it is on a great bike path along a canal with trees and birds and nature. Only one big danger point on the ride (entrance/exit ramps splitting off the road) so I just try to be extra vigilent there.

Making bike commuting an all or nothing thing (ride all the time or drive all the time) does a lot to discourage people from trying. I’m not going to ride on days when I have 3 errands to run (dr.’s appts., etc.) but I can certainly ride to work a couple of days a week.

]]> By: Julie http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-217354 Julie Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:22:23 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-217354 Luckily, I'm in the same boat as a few others - Riding my bicycle to work means I can leave later. It's always faster than public transportation. I live in NYC and do not have a car, but the bus is my lazy alternative. I love how fast riding gets me there and the sights & sounds I get to take in on my lovely little commute. Luckily, I’m in the same boat as a few others – Riding my bicycle to work means I can leave later. It’s always faster than public transportation. I live in NYC and do not have a car, but the bus is my lazy alternative.

I love how fast riding gets me there and the sights & sounds I get to take in on my lovely little commute.

]]> By: Eric http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-213375 Eric Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:09:33 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-213375 In my case, riding the bike 7 miles to work allows me to wake up 15 minutes later because I can avoid the subway and the unpredictable delays that go along with it. In my case, riding the bike 7 miles to work allows me to wake up 15 minutes later because I can avoid the subway and the unpredictable delays that go along with it.

]]> By: Gardengnome http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-212542 Gardengnome Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:05:29 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-212542 For me, a long train commute got me stared (rode to the station and then to the office), then us getting rid of the second car was a big force step as well. My commute is pretty short and flat. I think the trick is to be prepared like the article says. Make it easy to do, and the normal commute. Proper gear and a little planning go a long way, as well as sticking it out through the first bit of bad weather each year. For me, a long train commute got me stared (rode to the station and then to the office), then us getting rid of the second car was a big force step as well. My commute is pretty short and flat. I think the trick is to be prepared like the article says. Make it easy to do, and the normal commute. Proper gear and a little planning go a long way, as well as sticking it out through the first bit of bad weather each year.

]]> By: Shetha http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-212413 Shetha Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:25:39 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-212413 The wonderful thing about removing mental obstacles is that you learn what you CAN do. Then you can no longer use that excuse. The tricky thing is convincing your passengers on the cargo bike that they won't melt in the rain or freeze in the cold... that's a mental challenge! :-) The wonderful thing about removing mental obstacles is that you learn what you CAN do. Then you can no longer use that excuse. The tricky thing is convincing your passengers on the cargo bike that they won’t melt in the rain or freeze in the cold… that’s a mental challenge! :-)

]]> By: Pete at Electric Bike Report http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/07/27/tools-for-normalizing-the-bike-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-212383 Pete at Electric Bike Report Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:58:46 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=5331#comment-212383 Cool article Josh, and great comments everyone! I want to add that creating an obstacle to driving your car/truck can be an effective way to choose the bike. Consider unhooking the battery in your car. It may not be as extreme as selling your car, but you probably would only use it when you really need to. Maybe you will get to the point where you end up selling your car, maybe not. I really dig my electic cargo bike because I can haul stuff and I get to enjoy being on my bike. I have been an avid commuter and mountain biker for over 20 years, and I think that electric bikes are a great way for many people to avoid driving a car. I'll admit that sometimes I'm lazy and I want the easy button. I feel so much better being lazy on my electric cargo bike vs. driving my truck. I also think that electric bikes are a great way to get people into bike commuting. I think there are some who have thought about bike commuting but have stayed away because they are concerned with being totally exhausted and sweaty when they get to work. Electric bikes can provide an easy commute and get more people into the cycling world. Cool article Josh, and great comments everyone!

I want to add that creating an obstacle to driving your car/truck can be an effective way to choose the bike. Consider unhooking the battery in your car. It may not be as extreme as selling your car, but you probably would only use it when you really need to. Maybe you will get to the point where you end up selling your car, maybe not.

I really dig my electic cargo bike because I can haul stuff and I get to enjoy being on my bike. I have been an avid commuter and mountain biker for over 20 years, and I think that electric bikes are a great way for many people to avoid driving a car. I’ll admit that sometimes I’m lazy and I want the easy button. I feel so much better being lazy on my electric cargo bike vs. driving my truck.

I also think that electric bikes are a great way to get people into bike commuting. I think there are some who have thought about bike commuting but have stayed away because they are concerned with being totally exhausted and sweaty when they get to work. Electric bikes can provide an easy commute and get more people into the cycling world.

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