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Pedal-powered camaraderieCelebrate National Bike to Work Day. That’s how we roll at TerraPass.“Nice rig you got there,” said a cyclist as I lifted my bike into the Caltrain headed to San Francisco. I looked around thinking the guy was talking about somebody else, or perhaps referring to a big truck parked at the Palo Alto station. Then I realized he was talking to me. My “rig” was my year old, less than $500, hybrid commuter with cushy seat and disc brakes. Thus began a familiar ritual in which bike commuters compare notes on their equipment. We talked about my rear wheel rack and how much weight I could carry in a reusable shopping bag secured with bungee cords. I asked him about his rear-view mirror that clipped to his sunglasses. “It really helps me keep an eye on cars coming up behind me,” he said. “You can get one for $20 at most bike shops.” Among the most rewarding aspects of bike commuting is the kinship one feels with other people doing the same thing. Everyone has their routine (e.g., home to the office direct, home to the office with an assist from the train or bus, etc.) and it all starts with two wheels. A remarkable variety of bike models are on the streets. At TerraPass alone, you can find a mountain bike, a hybrid commuter, a touring bike, a vintage tourer, and a cyclocross. See pix of the gang in San Francisco (Erik, yours truly, Katie, and Tom) on the roof of our office last week —
— and brave Adam Stein on the Brooklyn Bridge about to ride into Manhattan.
Nothing is very fancy here — just practical transportation that suits the needs of each rider. To help get your bike outfitted with practical, carbon-saving accessories, TerraPass is featuring a new section in our green store. Try out the HYmini personal wind turbine (to charge your cell phone or iPod), Trevor Baylis Eco Bike Light Set (wind it up with a crank), or the Reelight Battery Free Bike Lights (magnets power the lights by induction). Our product line is growing quickly, and we welcome your recommendations. It’s National Bike to Work Day this week (Thursday in SF; Friday everywhere else). Many cities are running events to encourage people to get on the saddle. If you’re a bike commuter already, we’d like to hear your story about why you ride to the office. And if you’re not riding yet, what barriers can the TerraPass bike community help you overcome? Happy trails (I mean, bike lanes)! Comments
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You all are setting a great low-carbon commuting example!
I have been a bike commuter at various times in my life. I now find that bicycle parking and security is a major impediment. I work up two flights of stairs, there's no indoor ground level bike parking, and I've had bikes and bike parts stolen when locked on the street (higher frequency than auto theft).
Any tips on the latest theft-proof locks? Any way around removing the front wheel and bike seat? I like riding, but I have a low hassle tolerance!
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Yes: locking skewers + a good kryptonite + a bike that's cheap enough not to attract tons of attention.
I lock mine on the street in Manhattan all day long. So far, so good. (And my bike's not really all that cheap.)
Pinhead makes good locking skewers, although probably all brands are roughly equivalent.
For the u-lock, though, they're definitely not all equivalent. Do not get a knock-off -- thieves can pop these with a 2x4. Pay for the high-quality kryptonite.
And learn how to lock the bike correctly. Lots of instructional (and fairly entertaining) videos available online.
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Twelve years ago, I have started here in Austria using bike instead of car. I cycle 18 kms to my work and I cycle to congresses and in holidays. I count several publications about my experiences and two awards. My method "the principle of threefold relief" published in Medical Tribune in 2007 is about investing the saved money (through cycling)into clean energy (wind,solar, hydro). Want my publications - write to reno@wvnet.at
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I've been a die-hard bike commuter for years. It's kept me young and healthy, and now at 44 people say I look 10 years younger. So, if saving the planet from the ravages of global climate change isn't enough of a motivator, consider the health benefits. Also, when I get home from work, the satisfaction of not having contributed any C02 emissions that day is immense. Now if only the infrastructure can change to be more accommodating. Check out your local Critical Mass. It's the last Friday of the month all over the country and all over the world. If you don't know what that is, do a search.
Pedal power for the people!
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I've been riding 19 miles each way for a year now. I don't have the stamina to do it daily, nor do I really want to, but by riding twice a week and working from home once a week, I'm keeping my fuel use low. I do road races on weekends, so this is a great way to stay in shape.
For the person who has to lock on the street, look into folding bikes. They're lightweight (25 lbs), cheap (~$400 USD), and you can store them under your desk. Much easier to get onto buses, trains, and elevators too. I love my Dahon Vitesse for short trips.
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I cycle to my work at least three days a week, following a hilly 26 Km path that is totally free of autos. I've got a HYmini too. They work great. Nothing is like cycling at night with the green HYmini light calling out into the darkness. I've got a friend who charges his cellphone (which doubles as his MP3) while he rides. Usually, after an hour, he's out of power. He hooks the HYmini right into his phone and he says it works great.
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Just heading into my 3rd year with a Terrapass... since last year covering home, travel and family auto usage. I've been biking to work since my office moved downtown in 2006: 78 times the first year, 136 times last year, and this year I'm on pace for 150. My trip is a modest 4.5 miles each way. When I don't bike I take the bus, except about 2 times a month when I have to drive to an obscure place for some kind of meeting.
This is the first year my midwestern city has had organized bike to work week activities. It's been fun despite some cool rainy weather. Today was the finale: in 4 days, over 330 cyclists pedaled 10,000 commuting miles here, and we have what we think is a good critical mass to grow it from here. Our mayor announced lots of new bike lanes and paths in the works to make a good network, and the city council includes an avid bike commuter!
Environmental sustainability is the goal, and we're making good progress here in Columbus, Ohio now, thanks in part to our bike friendly efforts!
Side note-- I've been considering the Reelight since last fall, and am pleased to hear it is truly batteryless. Thanks Terrapass for featuring it! Maybe I'll order it as I renew my Terrapass this weekend.
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This was very informative, thank you.
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