tingilinde

cargo bikes mentioned on npr

I know a couple who, when faced with the decision of buying a new car, decided to move from owning two cars to just one and make heavier use of bicycles for local commutes and errands.  It started with more of a frustration with becoming middle aged and being out of shape as much as recognizing the expenses associated with owning and operating a car.  They bought two nice commuter bikes and, after two years, found their miles driven dropped by about 55% and they were in great physical shape, despite being in their mid 40s (he said he lost over 30 pounds and she went from a size 12 to a size 6).  They also estimated they are saving about $8000 a year when they look at finance, insurance, operation and maintenance costs avoided.

They have something working in their favor - location.  They live in Davis, California, which happens to be very bike friendly.

Last year they bought a European cargo bike for shopping trips where you might buy over 100 pounds of stuff or for buying garden supplies. It cost about $2000, but when you are saving $8000 a year on transportation and the bike will easily last a decade or two, that isn't a big deal.

NPR did a piece on the emergence of cargo bikes in America. (listen or read).   Also note you don't need to spend $3000 on a cargo bike, if you are really interested there are several options for less.

Bikes are interesting --  they are one of the most efficient ways to move people city scale distances (say 1 to 10 miles) and they are also at the human energy scale so using one is a very effective way to combine exercise and transportation.  A real win if you want to save money and be fit.

bubbles - from gum to cars

Bruce Weiner made a lot of money in a bubblegum company - enough to give him the ability to create a huge museum for microcars - minimal post WWII cars.

There are a lot of reasons why this class of car died in most countries (there is a small size class in Japan), but with modern technologies, electric versions could be very efficient and perhaps practical for some types of transport.  It would probably take sustained $200/bbl oil to encourage development at this scale again.

If you started with a clean slate and were able to impose top speed limits where these were used and/or outlaw the use of heavier cars, some interesting designs could emerge.  But ice skating on the lakes of Cameroon is probably as likely.   Moving segments of transit to bikes is much more likely. 

Then again, there are some interesting challenges...  it would be really impressive seeing something physically tiny designed to deal with a wider range of people than standard cars.

reasoning with cross winds

Bob points out a video showing some crosswind testing of a Boeing 777 and 747SP in Brazil. Standard stuff for sailplane drivers, but impressive with heavy aircraft.

Here are some technique notes for a similar airliner.

buying a "clean" car

The California Air Resources Board has a site that compares cars by smog and global warming scores.

DriveClean has potential, but the scoring system is not very good ...  any vehicle under 200 grams of CO₂/mile scores a perfect 10.  I would argue perfection should be represented by a much lower number - perhaps 20 g CO₂/mile as that is possible using currently available electrics in regions of the state with very high wind and solar penetration - I know someone who charges his Tesla with his own solar panels (perhaps the only person to do so, but it is possible) and wind turbines are used to recharge electrics in parts of Jutland.

bamboo bikes

Bamboo has some nice mechanical properties and happens to grow in many parts of the world.  People have been making bike frames out of it for some time, but recently this is being taken more seriously

The Sustainable Cyclist has a piece on the subject

shrink it and pink it - not!

A few weeks ago I found the Bike Shop Girl blog - lots of good advice for female bike riders.  Since several of the women who read tingilinde happen to ride bikes, her post on what makes a bike a women's bike may be useful.

There are many poor designs out there.  Going to a good bike shop for an appropriate bike and fit is good advice for anyone.  This is one of Colleen's messages - get properly fitted for the right bike and you'll be a lot happier.   She stretches the limits for fit, but it is possible.

Sukie has some stability issues and needed a lightweight trike.  The local Trek dealer did a good job of fitting it as closely as possible to her frame - a huge difference.

a successful bicycle community

how Boulder did it (via cyclelicious). Lots of good tips

 

Boulder Bike Story from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

On the other hand some communities like Copenhagen are an order of magnitude more successful (and Bjarne would point out Aarhus). Here is a video giving a sense of the mean free path between bikes there. 

Many are working on this and we know through the examples of Denmark and the Netherlands that real success is possible. 

  Here is someone  with a project I suppot - she is going after making kids and their parents seeing biking as an attractive, cheap and fun way to do most of your short trips.  I am a big fan of being positive.  There are many people and groups you can help.  

three is a car

Congress has approved a bill that lets three wheeled vehicles to be considered cars and therefore eligible for DOE funding.  Specifically they have to carry two adults and get at least 75 mpg.  

Hopefully crashworthiness is being factored in -- one of the reasons for building a three wheeled vehicle is to get it classified as a motorcycle and subject to less rigid restrictions. 

the secret minute

The grace period in the NY commuter train schedules.

a resource for women who cycle - and even guys who commute

Corinne, Colleen, Jheri, Juliette, Jessica, Rebecca, Jean  and others who use bikes - Bike Shop Girl looks like a good resource.  How tos, maintenance, product reviews and the like - but targeted towards women. Corinne and Jheri will be pleased to see her coverage of European commuter bikes like the Batavus and European inspired makes like Civia. 

This is a good thing as women are an indicator species for biking.  As the the infrastructure improves to support more bicyclists, the percentage of female bike commuters will probably increase - a lot - so there is a real need for this kind of site.

Arleigh is also involved a bike commuter blog - really good tips for anyone who commutes!  Jim, Dave, ...