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Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

metirish Jun 11 2013 01:20 PM

For the cyclists :), enjoy. http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-styl ... 498?page=1

TransMonk Jun 11 2013 02:32 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Love it!

Mets – Willets Point Jun 13 2013 12:08 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

It's more like this: http://isolatecyclist.bostonbiker.org/2 ... -cyclists/

metirish Jun 13 2013 12:14 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Also great....going to send that to O'Toole

MFS62 Jun 13 2013 03:01 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

On Good Day, New York (ch 5) yesterday morning, co-host Greg Kelly (an ex-Marine Pilot) said, "I'd rather fly my Harrier jet over Afghanistan at night than ride a bicycle in New York City." My view is, if they weren't riding their bikes, they would be driving their Suburus (safely below the speed limit, of course) with bumper stickers that say, "My head is up my ass when I ride my bike, too". Later

metirish Jun 21 2013 06:23 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Bicycle friendly cities http://copenhagenize.eu/index/ Amsterdam is # 1 but is having problems, more bikes than people and not enough parking spots http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world ... ng.html?hp

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 07:10 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 07:23 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

much akin, although better, than trying to find a parking space in Manhattan I guess.

metirish Jun 21 2013 07:26 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Reading the article and I was wondering if people cycle to the pub, I guess they do....

soupcan Jun 21 2013 07:29 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 21 2013 07:46 AM

I signed up for the CitiBike thing and tested it out this morning. Grabbed a bike at Grand Central and rode downtown to my office in lower Manhattan. It was fine, I got cut off once by a van and then 'accidentally' smacked the bike into the side of the van as he turned right in front of me. The bike itself is fairly heavy/sturdy but the ride is smooth and comfortable. It has 3 gears and a bell, lights on the front and back and rack to put your bag in. I wasn't freaked out by the traffic that comes with riding in the City because I have been riding my own bike on heavily trafficked roads for years. I don't know how those trying out the CitiBike program who haven't ridden with traffic before will feel. Its definitely an adjustment. Only issue I had was that I signed up for the 24-hour package (which is $9.95) since I was testing it out, and with that you get an unlimited number of 30 minute rides within the 24-hour period. Unfortunately for me it took me 35-37 minutes to get downtown. So I'll get a late fee of something like $5.00 I think. I have since signed up for an annual pass which is $100 but gives you unlimited 45-minute rides. Overall - positive experience. Try it out. its fun.

metirish Jun 21 2013 07:34 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Good stuff Soup, getting cut of by the van and then hitting one is scary though. NYC drivers are for the most part very aggressive, it's like a mindset really. I certainly wouldn't take one of these bikes out on Queens blvd.

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 07:42 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I've thought about the Citi Bike thing since I've been walking from Penn to just north of Grand Central lately, but I haven't ridden in years and this doesn't seem to be the right place to really start again. And if I'm working here for a while anyway, bike rides for lunch in Central Park are probably good exercise.

soupcan Jun 21 2013 07:51 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

metirish wrote: Good stuff Soup, getting cut of by the van and then hitting one is scary though. NYC drivers are for the most part very aggressive, it's like a mindset really. I certainly wouldn't take one of these bikes out on Queens blvd. Well I hit the van accidentally on purpose. As long as you are aware of your surroundings, not too aggressive and obey the traffic laws you should be fine. Ceetar wrote: I've thought about the Citi Bike thing since I've been walking from Penn to just north of Grand Central lately, but I haven't ridden in years and this doesn't seem to be the right place to really start again. And if I'm working here for a while anyway, bike rides for lunch in Central Park are probably good exercise. You should try it. Get the 24 hour pass. That's a fairly short ride and I think almost exactly the target for the program. If you don't like it don't do it again, but as I said its fun.

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 07:59 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I might. Of course, walking still cheaper in the saving money front, but I do think it every time I walk past it exiting Penn. I should probably make my bag a little less heavy too.

Frayed Knot Jun 21 2013 08:19 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I think I've said this before here, but I think biking in a city is less dangerous in some ways than in the suburbs. At least in a city the drivers expect bikers and pedestrians and scooters and whatnot to be part of the mix. That doesn't mean they're not aggressive and will always be nice to you, but at least they acknowledge your existence. In the 'burbs cars tend to have the attitude of: I'm a car and this is a road, so if you're a bike, or a walker, or a baby carriage then you don't belong here and therefore I can run you over at will. I don't even care if you were crossing at a green light and and I ran the red, you're still at fault since if it's a choice between you eating pavement and me being late to Blockbuster because my yoga class ran late then my trip takes precedence every time.

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 08:23 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

probably, and people in the city are always jumping across crosswalks and jaywalking and coming from behind trucks to walk across, so you're more aware of it.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 21 2013 08:35 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I've been riding my own bike to work almost every day. I have at least one or two terrifying moments every day and been doored twice (both times on 45th street) but I'm into the whole scene. Pedestrians are probably more clueless than cars by now. Anyone been tracking their rides on Strava? Lately the the app has been crashing on me but fun to check on segment times.

seawolf17 Jun 21 2013 08:45 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

We have a bike share program on campus that started last semester. Obviously very different on a big college campus than in NYC traffic.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 21 2013 08:54 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I've had a Hubway bikeshare membership in Boston since they started up in 2011. Even though I have my own bike it's great to supplement commutes (for example, on a rainy morning I may leave my own bike at home and take the bus, but then if it's sunny in the evening I can take a Hubway home). It's funny reading about how controversial Citi Bike is being treated because it wasn't any controversy when bike share started here and it's been a big success. I think I've said this before here, but I think biking in a city is less dangerous in some ways than in the suburbs. At least in a city the drivers expect bikers and pedestrians and scooters and whatnot to be part of the mix. That doesn't mean they're not aggressive and will always be nice to you, but at least they acknowledge your existence. In the 'burbs cars tend to have the attitude of: I'm a car and this is a road, so if you're a bike, or a walker, or a baby carriage then you don't belong here and therefore I can run you over at will. I don't even care if you were crossing at a green light and and I ran the red, you're still at fault since if it's a choice between you eating pavement and me being late to Blockbuster because my yoga class ran late then my trip takes precedence every time. I agree with this. When I lived in suburban Virginia, drivers were openly hostile and would shout and throw things. Plus the roads were all 55 mph (meaning the cars were driving close to 70). The slower speeds on Boston roads are much safer and the problems I've had with drivers are more due to them just not paying attention rather than animosity.

soupcan Jun 21 2013 09:27 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I agree with FK's take as well. I was expecting much more hostility and aggression - especially from taxis - this morning but it really was fine. In my bucolic suburb you've got to deal with speeding Audis and BMWs on narrow windy country roads who don't like to slow down or give you room. On the flip-side though, Bikers do have a tendency to push the envelope when it comes to sharing the road. Riding 2-3 across when there are cars trying to pass. Mets – Willets Point wrote: I've had a Hubway bikeshare membership in Boston since they started up in 2011. Even though I have my own bike it's great to supplement commutes (for example, on a rainy morning I may leave my own bike at home and take the bus, but then if it's sunny in the evening I can take a Hubway home). It's funny reading about how controversial Citi Bike is being treated because it wasn't any controversy when bike share started here and it's been a big success. From what I've read, most of he controversy surrounding CitiBike has to do with people just not liking where a lot of the bike stations have been, or are being, put. Really, what does it matter if its 50 bikes or 5 parked cars in front of your building? Once people realize the bikes are here to stay they'll get used to it.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 21 2013 09:41 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

The only stuff I've heard against the NYC bike share is from the Post, which has gone out of its way to write negative pieces as a means of taking shots at Bloomberg, who they don't like and obviously championed the program. It's a little too "corporate" for a supposedly public thing, IMO, although it is kind of fun to see a corner where Bank of America pays a billion in rent get a huge cut along one side used for a giant advertisement for a competitor.

Ceetar Jun 21 2013 09:50 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: It's a little too "corporate" for a supposedly public thing, IMO, although it is kind of fun to see a corner where Bank of America pays a billion in rent get a huge cut along one side used for a giant advertisement for a competitor. If corporate money is what it takes to get good projects done, I'm all for it. You know what would've been a cool promotion for the product? Free rides on Citi Bike to Citi Field.

soupcan Jun 21 2013 09:50 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The only stuff I've heard against the NYC bike share is from the Post, which has gone out of its way to write negative pieces as a means of taking shots at Bloomberg, who they don't like and obviously championed the program. It's a little too "corporate" for a supposedly public thing, IMO, although it is kind of fun to see a corner where Bank of America pays a billion in rent get a huge cut along one side used for a giant advertisement for a competitor. . Fairly corporate sure, but Citibank underwrote the whole thing and isn't this the kind of thing big corporations should be doing?

soupcan Jul 02 2013 09:01 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I think Lunchy is right about The Post having a personal thing against the CitiBike program. Today they ran the below picture with a caption that said 'Leo DeCaprio tries out a Citi Bike in Soho. Good Actor, questionable choice.'

sharpie Jul 02 2013 09:57 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I've signed up and have gotten my key but haven't activated it yet. It'll replace the around-town lunch things I often do.

Nymr83 Jul 02 2013 12:28 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

the 30 minute or 45 limit seems pretty stupid, why not make the rentals 24 hours, at least for the subscribers, to take a bike to work and not have to bring it back until after work?

metsmarathon Jul 02 2013 12:30 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

because then it's not bike sharing but bike keeping.

Nymr83 Jul 02 2013 01:28 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

metsmarathon wrote: because then it's not bike sharing but bike keeping. more like "renting"

sharpie Jul 02 2013 02:18 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

There are numerous bike rental places around town for riding around the park or whatever. I will use the bikeshare to either to eliminate fairly short subway rides when time is a factor and I don't want to possibly wait for a train or to get to places not served by subways (far east or west side).

Frayed Knot Jul 02 2013 02:47 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Nymr83 wrote: the 30 minute or 45 limit seems pretty stupid, why not make the rentals 24 hours, at least for the subscribers, to take a bike to work and not have to bring it back until after work? The idea (and someone correct me if I'm wrong here) is that it's 30 or 45 minutes at a time which allows a subscriber/member to bike both to and from work while leaving the bike free for others in between. If one were to "control" the bike during the time in between the needed inventory of bikes would have to shoot through the roof.

Nymr83 Jul 03 2013 08:52 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Frayed Knot wrote: Nymr83 wrote: the 30 minute or 45 limit seems pretty stupid, why not make the rentals 24 hours, at least for the subscribers, to take a bike to work and not have to bring it back until after work? The idea (and someone correct me if I'm wrong here) is that it's 30 or 45 minutes at a time which allows a subscriber/member to bike both to and from work while leaving the bike free for others in between. If one were to "control" the bike during the time in between the needed inventory of bikes would have to shoot through the roof. But what if you are biking longer than that to get to work? or what if the bike racks near work are full? where do you leave it? seems like a nice gimmick for tourists or others who DONT have to be somewhere and can return the bike to where they got it if need be.

metsmarathon Jul 03 2013 09:20 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

if you've got an hour bike ride, you could always station-hop. a quick glance at the map of stations looks like there's nearly almost certainly another station a block or two away. there's an app that shows dock availability. also if you arrive at a full station, you can get 15 free additional minutes to find another dock. what do people do when they drive into the city and fail to find a parking spot in front of their office..?

Ceetar Jul 03 2013 09:24 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

metsmarathon wrote: what do people do when they drive into the city and fail to find a parking spot in front of their office..? circle and circle and circle and curse a lot.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 03 2013 09:28 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

OK, so here's how it works. There's a bike docking station near a subway station and there's a bike docking station near my office. The distance between the two is 0.8 miles. I could walk that or wait for a bus but it's much quicker and more convenient to take a bike. I don't need to keep a bike all day as when my work day is over I just go out and get a different bike out of the bike dock and ride back to the subway station. And during the 8 hours or so I'm at work, those bikes are available to other people to ride. The idea is to supplement other forms of transportation for rides of a mile or less that are not served by subways/buses or are inconvenient (like you have to transfer to another line to ride a couple of stops and it could just be easier and quicker to bike that distance). I'm not a tourist and I use bike share nearly every day to get to work or to run errands during lunch. And it's made it quicker and easier to get to where I want to go, not something for lollygagging about.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 23 2013 10:05 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Bicycle friendly cities http://copenhagenize.eu/index/ Amsterdam is # 1 but is having problems, more bikes than people and not enough parking spots http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world ... ng.html?hp No, Amsterdam Is Not “Swamped” By Bikes.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 15 2013 07:55 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Typically obnoxious in a NYC cyclist sorta way, but a good point made: [youtube:1dd477od]bzE-IMaegzQ[/youtube:1dd477od] When I am elected mayor I will crack down hard on double parkers but also on irresponsible bike owners including those who chain their beaters to trees and leave them there for 6 months like everyone in my hood.

Centerfield Oct 15 2013 08:09 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I was thinking of trying out the CitiBike. Do you guys wear helmets or go without?

Vic Sage Oct 15 2013 08:21 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I remember travelling around the Netherlands a few times in the early-mid 80s, and there was this mythological bike called "the white bike of Amsterdam", which was a free unlocked bike that you could ride if you found it, just so long as you left it out for someone else to use. Apparently, this was the remnant of a program started in the 60s by some anarchist group, but it never really worked because people would steal the bike and it would have to be replaced (duh!). It was a doomed notion, but it did lead them to eventually institute a more regulated bike-share program, which made that city the innovator and leader in this type of urban transport. But when i was there, i remember being told that the white bike was still around, and you could find it, usually in Rembrandtplein, or in Leidesplein near "De Melkweg". But it seemed to me to be more like an urban Moby Dick than an actual thing. I think the locals romanticized it because it implied they were such an open, honest, communal society that they could pull something like this off. But, alas, they were human beings, like any other human beings, and are as likely to be assholes as anybody else. It's still a great city though.

sharpie Oct 15 2013 08:25 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

I was thinking of trying out the CitiBike. Do you guys wear helmets or go without? Without only because most of the times I've used it have been unplanned. A few times I've been out at lunch and had to get back quickly to work. As there is a docking station right outside my office it is really convenient.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 15 2013 08:45 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Vic Sage wrote: I remember travelling around the Netherlands a few times in the early-mid 80s, and there was this mythological bike called "the white bike of Amsterdam", which was a free unlocked bike that you could ride if you found it, just so long as you left it out for someone else to use. Apparently, this was the remnant of a program started in the 60s by some anarchist group, but it never really worked because people would steal the bike and it would have to be replaced (duh!). It was a doomed notion, but it did lead them to eventually institute a more regulated bike-share program, which made that city the innovator and leader in this type of urban transport. But when i was there, i remember being told that the white bike was still around, and you could find it, usually in Rembrandtplein, or in Leidesplein near "De Melkweg". But it seemed to me to be more like an urban Moby Dick than an actual thing. I think the locals romanticized it because it implied they were such an open, honest, communal society that they could pull something like this off. But, alas, they were human beings, like any other human beings, and are as likely to be assholes as anybody else. It's still a great city though. I think white bikes + drunk/stoned people + canals = kersplash!

Ceetar Oct 15 2013 09:02 AM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I think white bikes + drunk/stoned people + canals = kersplash! You know, I was shocked that I only saw one bike in the canals during my couple of days there last year. And that one seemed like it'd been chained and abandoned and flipped over a railing to make more room.

Chad Ochoseis Oct 15 2013 03:58 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Centerfield wrote: I was thinking of trying out the CitiBike. Do you guys wear helmets or go without? I just gave it the one-week trial. I'm using it mainly to get from the WTC PATH stop to my new office, which is also in the financial district, but about a mile away. I tried it a couple of times without a helmet but - with some prodding from my boss, who pointed out that I'd spent a long time putting knowledge into my brain and that knowledge would be less useful if it were splattered across Nassau Street - I decided to bite the bullet and start wearing one. If I were staying mainly on bike paths, I might accept the extra risk and go without a helmet. But I've seen plenty of people walking around in shirts, ties, and helmets in the morning in lower Manhattan, so the geek factor isn't very high. I take a light rail trip plus a PATH ride before I get on the bike, and I haven't found it to be much of an inconvenience to carry the helmet with me. what if the bike racks near work are full? where do you leave it? This was a concern once or twice. The app is imperfect, and docks in lower Manhattan are largely filled up by 9. I was a little late once and had to dock about ten minutes away from my office. Also, with the daily or weekly pass, you need to have your credit card processed at the kiosk every time you take out a bike. This adds a couple of minutes to your trip - I've sometimes had to swipe my card two or three times before the reader was able to scan it. The annual subscribers - who get key fobs to swipe - certainly look like they're having a much easier time of it. My one-week trial is over, and I've signed up for an annual subscription, but haven't received my key fob yet. CitiBike says it takes about ten days. After walking a couple of blocks to the dock nearest to PATH, swiping my credit card, avoiding cars and pedestrians, and docking by my office, I've only saved about five minutes at best over walking. But I've had more fun. And I like the idea that I can take a quick bike ride during lunch if I want to.

Fman99 Oct 15 2013 07:37 PM Re: Cycling is a good thing, and boy do cyclists know it

Seriously tempted to get a bike for some cross training on my non-running days. This is a good time of year to get a bike as they have sales before the long winter kicks in. My brother has been commuting on a bike a few days a week (well, he was, anyway, until the shutdown, as he works for the NIH) and has touted the benefit of it, and I work just five miles from home and I'd be able to theoretically commute on my bike at some point.