You Haul

Over the weekend there was a video posted on how people transport things on their bicycles. From kids and Corgis to crock pots and concrete. First up is this video talking to a variety of people on how they transport things on their bicycles.



As a child my first bike was fitted with a large Wald basket. It allowed me to carry books from the library, the Sunday paper for my father, and a book bag for school with great ease. Over the years I found that back packs while they were useful had there limits. They left a big wet spot on my back and hard objects like books and groceries often poked me in places I didn't like. As an adult I have gone back to baskets, they can hold anything within reason, never affected by weather, and make for more spontaneous purchases because a basket is always ready for anything.

Also this weekend the Wall Street Journal published an interesting article on the growing use of cargo bikes and how the developer of the long tail cargo went onto to found Xtracycle. The article explored how cargo bikes are being used by a commercial fisherman in Washington State, a family of four in Manhattan, and to a man in Oregon who is preparing for the local Disaster Relief Trials. During which bicycles and cyclists will be tested on their ability to go where other vehicles can't due to debris or lack of gasoline, while carrying 100 pounds of supplies.

There were the ever present naysayers and my personal favorite was; “It isn't going to haul the 4 2x6, 16 foot boards I need to repair my deck.” Neither will most cars and minivans, you're really going to need a full size pick up truck. Fortunately Home Depot has trucks for rent in their parking lots and many other retail companies are embracing this concept as well. On the other hand one cargo cyclist in the Wall Street Journal article moved 150 pounds of cement over a very hilly area, so anything is possible.

The growth of cargo bikes will be interesting to watch as people who live in cities, ride bicycles, get married, have children, and remain where they are. While they may own cars they will still want the speed and convenience cycling allows when running errands or taking children to school. Purchasing a cargo bike will help them retain their mobility.

Leave the Driving to Us

Recently there has been discussion on various blogs and news services about Amtrak and the expanding its capabilities to allow people to roll bicycles on board. There are 8 trains throughout the United States that allow bikes to roll on board. Otherwise there are only two options for cyclists, the first is a folding bike and bring it on as carry on luggage. This of course assumes you own one or are able to invest in one. There is another option, you can box your bicycle and bring it on board as checked baggage. It turns out that boxing you bicycle is easier than it sounds.

Finding a train that has checked baggage service is not as easy as it sounds. So I asked myself where would I go if I could or can take my bicycle on board Amtrak?

Places I would like to go.

Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh is the jumping off point for the Greater Allegheny Trail, GAP Trail, which runs from from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland MD and connects to the C&O Trail that takes you to Washington, DC. 335 miles of car free trail with access to Inn's, B&B's, and campgrounds along the way. There is way to do this ride with the use of one way car rentals for $150 to $200 if you avoid picking up the car at the airport.

Washington, DC – In addition to seeing all of the sites, there are a number of trails that will lead you to a wide range of trips in the states surrounding Washington. Along with the the similar policy that SEPTA has with bicycles on board public transit. To get a general sense follow this link to more detailed information. Check out the WashCycle Bike Trail Map which is beautifully layered in Google maps.

Boston, MA – Like Washington, Boston has a wide array of historical sites and extensive system of trails and bike lanes that allow access to a wide range of the state. As well as a similar policy that SEPTA has towards bicycles.

Places I can go

Atlanta, GA – Atlanta is home to the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga Trail. With a combined distance of 100 miles on a continual paved, flat trail that ends in Anniston, AL. You can take an overnight train from Philadelphia, arrive in Atlanta in the morning, walk out of the station to the Silver Comet Connector Trail (Use Google Maps for info) and ride your bicycle to the trail head.

I hope that Amtrak makes plans for improved options for cyclists along the Northeast corridor for most of the year with seasonal expansion from the spring to the fall for places like Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York. I have no doubt that there are commuter rail and railroads that use simple and easily installed equipment to transport bikes on board. I would be more than willing to make advance reservations and pay a baggage handling fee. Lets hope that Amtrak views this as an opportunity not to be missed, instead of a missed opportunity.  

Friday Funnies-Just Do it

Beevis and Butthead

On Friday, June 14, 2013 Stu Bykofsky wrote his latest anti-bicycle screed and I would have responded sooner but every time I tried to reread the column I kept breaking out in a fit of giggles. Stu Bykofsky has finally found the Beevis to his Butthead; former Philadelphia Mayor and current Professor at Temple University John F. Street. Stu was invited as a guest lecturer for one Street's classes on local government and community advocacy because Professor Street “invites speakers who he thinks can be of some value to students”.

As usual there were unsubstantiated comments about bicyclists and bicycle lanes. But it got really funny when Professor Street not only backed up these claims with his own anecdotal evidence. Such as as his assertion that "When you take a person and you put him on a bike, something happens to your brain," Street says. "You get real aggressive, you're like a cabdriver on a bike. It's all about getting there. A stop sign doesn't mean anything." So Professor Street can add Psychologist to his resume.

If students at Temple University want to learn just how corrupt urban government can be then all they need to do is take Professor John F. Street class. He is a case study in ego and failure. When Street graduated Temple Law School he got a clerkship with the U. S. Department of Justice and was quickly terminated for poor performance. After becoming Mayor 18 members of his staff were convicted for corruption during an FBI investigation. When Street was head of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, from 2004 to 2011, Street hired the law firm his son worked at to handle PHA legal matters. Street claimed he had a non-existent waiver and his son billed over 1000 hours on PHA business. Street's brother, Milton Street former State Senator, was convicted for tax fraud on 2 million dollars he received as a consultant by getting companies lucrative city contracts while his brother was in office.

Stu really seems to be grasping at straws these days, he'll do anything to get attention. After his lecture he and Professor Street had lunch afterwards. Which again gave me a fit of giggles as the entire conversation must have gone like this.

Review - Mainline Cycles

A few years ago my trusty bike of 20 years gave up the ghost after one repair to many my faithful companion needed to be replaced. So I began a lengthy process of kicking tires to shop for a new bicycle.

As I visited various bicycle shops throughout Philadelphia I kept running into the same phenomena. Bike mechanics who did not how to talk to customers and sales people who lost interest when they realized that I was not a triathlete or a roadie and I was not going to purchase a bicycle that had a price tag of $1000.00 and higher. Every bike shop that I walked into had that standard “bike shop” look, dimly lit, in need of a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint, with a disorganized collection of bikes most of which were high-end road bikes with a few mountain bikes in the mix.

So after running out of options in Philadelphia I started looking at options outside of Philadelphia. When I walked into Main Line Cycles in Narberth and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. A well lit shop with wood floors with a wide range of bicycles on display road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and cruisers. Bikes ranged from high end for the serious rider to moderately priced bikes for the person who goes for the periodic ride on the weekend. All displayed by category with easy access without the claustrophobic and cramped displays that so many bicycle shops use.

Mainline Cycles is everything a bicycle shop should be. You feel like you have walked into a showroom for a high end automobile. The staff is friendly and welcoming, yet there is no pressure to buy anything and they will take as much time as needed to help you with every purchase.

In subsequent trips to Mainline Cycles I have watched the staff and mechanics to take as much time as needed to help customers. No matter how large or how small the purchase the customers were making they were always treated with respect. Which I believe is the key to the success of any business. Their mechanics a highly experienced in the latest in cycling technology and can handle any repair.

Like us on Facebook
http://tinyurl.com/kmpe8yk