Image Credit: Revolution Cycles

Bike sharing is most commonly understood as an automated system with at least one station that provides individuals with convenient, low-cost access to bicycles for short term, short distance trips.  Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation have partnered in DC to create Smartbike DC, a self-service system with one hundred bikes and ten stations around DC, and there are many other examples of automated systems around the world.  The City Hub, however, is home to a fixed-point, people-managed bicycle sharing program.  The shop sells cycling accessories and clothing, includes a full-service tech department as well as offers rental options for visitors interested in hourly or daily rentals, but the primary focus of the Hub is its bike share program.

For only $25 per year, local residents can use one of the Hub’s one hundred Trek hybrid bicycles for up to three hours each day, seven days each week.  Members pay an annual registration fee, and can make a reservation in a few minutes online, making the pick-up and return process easy and efficient.  With the online reservation option, the participant can be sure that a bike is available in his or her size and staff can ready the bike for the rider before his or her arrival.  Although the bikes need to be picked up and returned to the same location, members can take advantage of the program to run errands during a lunch break or after work, or the bikes can be used for fitness riding and sightseeing, as the shop is just two short blocks from the Mt. Vernon trail, which leads into the heart of DC.  Helmets, locks, handlebar bags and staff experience are also part of the package at the City Hub; an automated system isn’t likely to give you advice on the safest route to your destination or recommendations for local restaurants.

Image Credit: Revolution Cycles

The people-managed operation has an additional benefit that truly speaks to the company’s desire to reach new cyclists and expand the use of bicycles for all purposes.  Not only are staff members on hand to assist riders with saddle height, shifting and ride routes, but the Hub also leads a number of weekly rides that encourage both veteran cyclists and brand new riders to take a spin on a guided, casual tour of the community.  The Hub hosts weekly themed rides on Saturday evenings, such as a Singles Ride and a Monuments at Night Ride, as well as Lunch Spins on Fridays, all with the goal of getting more people to experience the joy of riding and to realize how simple hopping on a comfortable bike for a quick spin can be.  With knowledgeable staff leading and supporting these rides, newbies can learn how to safely ride in a group and on public roads, and experienced cyclists can find new ways to enjoy pedaling with a purpose.  Particularly for individuals who have not owned or ridden a bike in decades, these rides allow people test out their legs again without investing in their own bikes, and the results thus far have been largely successful.

Image Credit: Revolution Cycles

Traditional automated bike sharing programs certainly have a distinct utility that cannot be matched by a fixed-point program, but the alternative benefits that are offered by a people-managed solution are extremely valuable as well.  The innovative idea has generated quite a bit of interest- Gary Fisher was the Hub’s first official guest when the shop opened its doors the week of the 2010 National Bike Summit, and other industry greats such as John Burke, President of Trek Bicycle Corporation, have stopped in to check out the new concept.  In only a few months, the Hub has put more than one thousand “butts on bikes,” and many of these butts have been away from bikes for quite a few years.  Whether the end result is helping less experienced cyclists understand the utility of bicycles or reinvigorating daily bike commuters with a new kind of cycling adventure, the City Hub has already made great strides in accomplishing its goal of making bicycles more accessible and helping its community become more active.

Image Credit: Revolution Cycles

Getting Around

Let me begin by explaining what I mean by “getting around”.  It’s a pretty simple concept of course, but I want to explain it in the context of utility cycling.  Our notion of getting around is tied directly to transportation, but it is separate from commuting, running errands, bicycle delivery, bicycle services, or community building (although it can tie in quite nicely with that topic, as well).  For us, getting around refers to all those transportation activities that you do in your spare time to meet up with friends, eat out, go to entertainment, etc.  So the utility of getting around by bicycle is wrapped up in the idea of completing these essential activities (yes, having fun is an essential activity) by bicycle.  Admittedly, this category may be one of the least goal-oriented categories of utility cycling.

Getting Around & Community Building

Meanwhile, getting around by bicycle is closely related to community building.  Bicycles have a unique way of bringing people together.  There are often numerous opportunities to make friends and build relationships while cruising around town on a bike.  The utility of community building by bicycle and bringing people together is all about developing networks with other bicycle riders, expanding the potential for riding bicycles, and generally bringing a positive vibe to bicycling throughout any given landscape.  Community building as a utility cycling activity can take many different forms from cycling for a cause, bike festivals, social gatherings by bike, group rides, political protest such as critical mass, social action like the Ride of Silence, and more.  Getting around by bicycle can be associated with any number of community building activities, but the important distinction is that it can be either a group or individual activity.

Share Your Stories With Us!

Perhaps the best way to really get at the heart of this topic is to have our readers share their favorite stories or experiences of getting around by bicycle.  Remember, this idea of getting around by bike definitely has utility to it – the community building, the bicycle transportation, the fun – but it’s going to be a very different experience for everyone.  So we welcome you to share with us your favorite family cycling experience, your favorite place to cruise to on the weekends, your most memorable bike parade, your favorite place to go on a bike date, anything that involves getting around by bicycle.  We look forward to your responses!

And just as a teaser, I’ll share my most memorable experience of getting around by bicycle.  It involved an Xtracycle, a big blue cooler, a potluck, a hot summer evening in Tucson, AZ, a park, a game of foot-down, and lots of good friends.  A bunch of us cruised down by bicycle to a Tucson park one evening to share some grub and relax.  The food, beverages, and friends all came via bicycle.  When the sun started to go down, a fun game of food-down commenced, and we rode around laughing and having a good time.  And when we were tired, we all cruised home.  So as you can see, nothing complicated here.  Just fun, friends, bicycles, and a little bit of utility.

]]> http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/getting-around-by-bicycle/feed/ 2 http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/shoes-and-pedals/ http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/shoes-and-pedals/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:29:00 +0000 Stacey Moses http://www.utilitycycling.org/?p=2809 I love cycling shoes.  I feel that I need to be completely forthcoming- I delight in fancy road shoes and Lorica Microfabrics and heel security systems.  I admit that I enjoy the aesthetics of cycling shoes, and I also believe that the utility of employing a clipless system for regular bike commuting is substantial.  However, it absolutely is possible to ride a bike without clipless pedals and shoes, and I can assure you that I’ve been spotted riding on flat pedals in flip flops on more than one occasion.  There are many instances when flats and non-cycling specific shoes are more practical and more comfortable.  And for cyclists who use their bikes for multiple purposes, you can have the best of both worlds with a double-sided pedal.

Toe Clips and Flat Pedals

Toe cages or toe-clips are designed to secure the feet to the pedals to allow the rider to gain efficiency and stability while riding.  When your feet are one with your pedals, you not only gain the advantage of each foot staying firmly in place on the top of its pedal, but you also have the ability to pull up as well as push down, greatly increasing the amount of power that you can put into each rotation.  Toe cages are pretty common, but one issue that toe cages can create in urban riding is getting in, and more importantly, getting out.

Flat pedals don’t have the efficiency benefits of toe clips or clipless pedals, but they are simple, safe and work with nearly any pair of shoes.  For the commuter that doesn’t want to carry or leave shoes at the office, flat pedals allow for dress shoes.  For delivery services and emergency and patrol services, flat pedals may be necessary to accommodate the appropriate shoes that these services require once the rider has reached his or her destination.  And for bike weddings, flat pedals allow the bride and groom to enjoy their dream wedding without compromising style (have their wedding cake and eat it to, if you will). 

Defining Clipless

Clipless pedals are pedals without toe-clips that still allow the rider to be one with the pedals as the cleat, attached to the bottom of the shoe, clips into the pedal.  There are a multitude of different brands and styles of pedals and cleats.  For commuting or utility cycling, generally a smaller, two-bolt SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) style system is the most beneficial.  Other styles include larger platforms that are designed to maximize power transfer for performance-oriented cyclists, but the larger cleats generally fit only on a smooth, tread-less road-style shoe that makes walking into the office or the grocery store a bit cumbersome.  The smaller SPD cleats are often recessed into the tread pattern of the shoe, making walking much more enjoyable.  The pedals also have double-side engagement, whereas many road-style pedals are single-sided.  Pedals are sold with cleats, and cleats must be compatible with your shoes.  Clipping in requires landing the cleat on the pedal, and clipping out is a simple sideways snap of the heel.  It takes a bit of practice, and I have experienced the slow motion fall at a stop light in my early riding days, but anticipating stops is the key to success.

SPD Pedal

The Good Stuff: Shoes!

For flats or toe clips, almost any shoe can work.  Toe cages come in different sizes, so a utility cyclist working in search and rescue or fire rescue can wear more substantial shoes and still ride a bike comfortably.  Dress shoes also work with flat pedals or toe cages, but be careful with a very smooth-soled shoe, as traction helps you grip the pedal as you ride.  For everyday errands, shorter commutes, or delivery services, an athletic shoe with a slightly stiffer sole, like a Merrell, is very comfortable and durable.

There are also a lot of good cycling-specific shoes on the market.  Shimano makes everything from custom-molded road shoes to all-weather commuting shoes with a Gore-Tex lining to SPD-compatible sandals.  Cycling shoes are designed with a very stiff sole, which not only allows for better power transfer from your body to the bike, but also helps to minimize hot spots that can occur from the pressure of the pedal on the ball of your foot.  Velcro is also a common feature of cycling shoes.  Some models have a single Velcro strip at the tongue to secure the laces and the ankle, some use Velcro strips in conjunction with a buckle system at the tongue, and some use two or three strips of Velcro to secure the foot.  I prefer a buckle system with Velcro, as the buckle can be replaced if necessary and tends to last a bit longer than Velcro in the elements, and I never have to worry about a shoelace swinging loose into the moving parts of my bike.  Finally, the sole of the shoe can be constructed from carbon fiber, plastic, rubber or any combination of these elements.  A sensible commuting shoe will generally be a combination of plastic (which provides the stiffness) and rubber (which allows you to drop in on a friend with hardwood floors with the confidence that you will be invited back).  There are other considerations, such as the seam and toe box construction that can influence your choice of shoe depending on your riding needs, and finding the proper fit is as important as finding the right features.

Cycling shoes are designed to look like sneakers, like dress shoes, like hiking shoes, and like space-age athletic shoes.  With the seemingly infinite combinations of form and function, a pair of shoes and pedals exists to suit your unique cycling and style needs.

]]> http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/shoes-and-pedals/feed/ 1 http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/what-to-wear-bike-commuting-clothing-essentials/ http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/06/what-to-wear-bike-commuting-clothing-essentials/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:22:41 +0000 Stacey Moses http://www.utilitycycling.org/?p=2701 What to wear is a question with many answers when it comes to bike commuting. There are many circumstances to consider, including how long your ride is, what kind of changing and/or shower facilities are available at your destination, and what type of weather you’ll experience on your commute. For some resplendently dressed professionals with a cool and calm commute and no changing facilities, a pair of ankle biters and a helmet will suffice. But, for the rest of us, there are a multitude of options to consider, from gloves to shorts to shoes. Let’s start with the basics.

Shorts

One of the most hotly debated commuting topics of all times: to spandex or not to spandex. For many novice commuters, or non-commuters, the act of pulling on a pair of skin-tight lycra shorts before riding into work sounds like a preposterous idea. For other veteran commuters, their rides are short enough that they can leave the spandex at home until the longer weekend rides. However, for someone who commutes a fair distance or commutes everyday, spandex shorts with a chamois offer protection and support that can make your ride much more comfortable (the chamois is that lovely ergonomic seat insert that makes spending time on the saddle far more enjoyable). The compression qualities of spandex shorts help to support your muscles and increase blood flow while you pedal, and the form-fitting nature of the material leads to less chaffing and irritation while you’re on the saddle. The simplest way to go is basic black, although the brands and styles available are countless. For those commuters searching for a more stylish or less revealing look, mountain bike or “baggy” style shorts, knickers and liner shorts all provide the chamois and cycling-specific cut in a slightly different package.

Jerseys

Cycling jerseys for commuters are also a matter of personal preference, but the benefits of riding in a cycling jersey include safety, comfort and utility. Whether you grab the neon yellow jersey or the black jersey, most quality tops have reflective piping on them, providing extra visibility. A cycling jersey is also cut differently than any other moisture-wicking or athletic shirt. With a longer tail and a shorter front, a cyclist can comfortably reach the handlebars without having an excess of fabric bunched up in his or her midsection while the lower back stays protected from the elements. For chilly rides, long sleeve jerseys also have longer sleeves to accommodate the rider’s position. Finally, cycling jerseys typically have rear pockets, which allow the cyclist to carry anything from his keys and wallet to flat repair necessities.

Gloves

Cyclist’s palsy and carpal tunnel syndrome are repetitive stress injuries that can be lessened or avoided by wearing gloves. These injuries are the result of compressed nerves, the ulnar and the median, respectively, and by wearing cycling gloves with proper padding, the stress and vibration of the road is greatly reduced. In his book, Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, Andy Pruitt Ed.D. recommends wearing gloves “even for short rides to run errands.” Most manufacturers make several different types of gloves; a quality commuting glove has a decent amount of padding and good ventilation. Gloves should fit snug, without restricting circulation to your fingers (numb or purple fingers are not ideal), so that the padding does not bunch or overlap when you place your hands on the handlebars.

Once you’ve figured out your shorts, jersey and glove situation, you’re ready to explore the next steps, such as the wonderful world of clipless pedals and shoes. More to come on the next steps in the future!

General Statistics on Running Errands

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics in the United States, 45% of daily trips are taken for shopping and errands.  Meanwhile, only 15% of daily trips are taken for commuting.  The average American takes 4 trips per day, which might be to work, to run errands, to social gatherings, etc.  However, 60% of said trips are 1 mile or less, but a shocking 90% of trips between 1 and 3 miles is made by car in the United States.  Given this information, a large percent of car trips could be replaced by bicycle (or walking) trips, given the short distances.  This would help to reduce congestion on the roads, since the short distance trips are the most numerous.  And reduced car traffic and congestion could mean better roads for cycling!  So in addition to Bike to Work Week, I suggest we also implement a Bike to the Shops Week.  But in the meantime, this post will provide some useful information on running errands by bike.

How to Carry Your Stuff

Whether it be commuting by bicycle, running errands by bicycle, or any combination of daily trips, you need to find a good way to carry your stuff by bike.  If you are combining a commute to work with an errand-running trip, you will need to consider how much stuff you have to leave the house with each day and how much you might return with, especially if the trip involves some shopping.  Generally, if you are going shopping after work, as many people do, you will need to leave some space for the items you plan to come home with.  However, assess each situation on a day-to-day basis, as it will likely vary a fair amount.

For smaller shopping trips, bike bags and racks are usually sufficient to carry a fair amount of stuff, depending on the size of the bag and rack combo and the nature of your purchase, of course.  We have a great post, which describes some of the easiest ways for carrying your stuff using bike bags and bike racks.  However, for large shopping trips (for example getting a week’s worth of groceries for your family) you might want to consider investing in a cargo bike, a bike trailer, or an Xtracycle.  Consider it the family truck.  I assure you, purchasing and maintaining such a vehicle is much, much more affordable than purchasing and maintaining a real truck!  We will have a post dedicated to carrying your stuff by cargo bike or bike trailer in the near future.

Logistics

If you are new to the idea of general bicycle transportation, don’t be afraid to take some time experimenting with what works best for you with regard to logistics.  Everyone’s needs and trip routines are different, so take some time to figure out what works best.  Especially when it comes to running errands by bicycle, you will need to assess your carrying capacity, the distance you are traveling, the weather conditions, and how much you need to purchase before you embark on each trip.  Also, if you are making multiple stops on one shopping trip, you will want to consider how you want to keep your purchases safe between stops.  If security is an issue, you might consider an enclosed bike trailer that can be locked.  You might also consider shopping with a buddy, so that one of you can stay with the bikes while the other shops.

Again, this is all highly contextual, so experimentation is key.  Nonetheless, running errands by bicycle is a great way to save money and time, while simultaneously getting some fresh air and exercise.  So for the next five days, we invite you to bike to work and the store in celebration of Bike to Work Week.  And if you enjoy yourself, keep it up for the rest of the month, the summer, or the year!

Transportation

One of main categories of utility cycling that we identified in the first post was one of the more obvious ones: transportation.  However, at the time, the only two subcategories of transportation that we listed were bicycle commuting and bike sharing systems.  We have also written about bicycle infrastructure, but thus far, we have only skimmed the surface of that topic, as well.  And as you all know, the category of transportation is quite rich, indeed!

So lately, we have started to think about all of the opportunities to talk about transportation within the context of utility cycling.  Some of the additional categories that we are going to write about include family bicycle transportation, which involves bicycling with kids, teaching kids to ride, riding to school, and more.

Another category we identified, and the one we are going to introduce today, is general bicycle transportation.  As always, if you have any suggestions for additional categories, subcategories, posts, etc., we would love to hear from you.

General Bicycle Transportation

General bicycle transportation is conceptualized somewhat differently from bicycle commuting.  The definition of commuting is impossible to separate from work.  Commuting is the act traveling between work and home, and therefore, bicycle commuting is the act of traveling between work and home by bike.  However, there are many, many more reasons to travel by bike, so bicycle commuting is only one small slice of the larger bicycle transportation pie.

General bicycle transportation includes a wide range of activities that involve getting around by bicycle.  And what’s great about general bicycle transportation is that it often involves having fun on the bike, while simultaneously getting things accomplished, which is one of the key elements of utility cycling as we have conceptualized it.  Below, I have listed some of the subcategories of general bicycle transportation that come to mind, but if you think of others, please let us know.

• Getting Around – This encompasses riding a bicycle to a night out on the town; riding a bicycle to meet (or with) a hot date; riding a bicycle to the movies, restaurants, friends’ houses, etc.  It is my personal opinion that “getting around” by bicycle to go meet up with friends and family is one of the best times to be had on a bike.

• Groceries & Errands – Running errands by bicycle is another subcategory of general bicycle transportation.  Although running errands might be done as part of a bicycle commute, they can also be done independent of a commute, and therefore, have their own subcategory.  Running errands by bicycle often involves the use of bicycle trailers or an Xtracycle in order to haul more items such a groceries, sundries, or even a sidewalk.

• Bicycling While Traveling – Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean you can’t be a utility cyclist.  Although, I must admit, it might be more difficult.  If you are traveling somewhere for work or fun and you would like to be able to use a bicycle when you reach your destination, it’s a good idea to check out local bike shops for rentals or find out if the city you are going to has a bike sharing system.

• Long Distance Travel by Bike – Although long distance travel by bike is often categorized under the bike touring and/or recreation label, there are many instances where long distance travel by bike fits into utility cycling, as well.  For example, the good folks at the Path Less Pedaled have been living by bike for the last few months.  Another great example of long distance travel by bike in the utility cycling context is the New England Climate Summer program.  Traveling long distances by bicycle, is definitely something that requires an aspect of leisure, however the utility of getting from point A to point B still exists.  I’ve heard quite a few stories of people traveling to college or moving from one city to the next and getting their with a bicycle loaded up with bike panniers and bike racks.

So as you can see, general bicycle transportation is oftentimes closely connected to having a good time on the bike…while getting things done.

Messenger Bags

Ease and accessibility have made the messenger bag extremely popular with bicycle commuters.  With a single strap across one shoulder, the bag can be swung from back to front for easy access, and most bike messenger bags are equipped with shoulder pads and plenty of pockets to help you stay comfortable and organized on your trip.  There are a number of high quality manufacturers out there, but Chrome makes my messenger bag of choice (the Buran with laptop, the Citizen without).  These bags from San Francisco are more than hip cycling gear – they are ridiculously durable, relatively lightweight, and built by cyclists who examine every detail of the design for its intended purpose.

Panniers

For larger loads and longer commutes, investing in a front or rear bike rack (or both) and bike panniers will allow you to move your baggage from your back to the bike.  After securing a rack to your bicycle, the panniers can be attached easily and removed once you reach your destination.  You can use panniers of differing sizes and shapes based on what you need to transport, from laptop bags to garment bags to grocery bags.  By moving weight from your body to the bike, you not only take stress off of your back, but you also stabilize your ride by bringing the weight below your center of gravity.

Backpacks

With two shoulder straps and often a chest or waist strap, the backpack evenly distributes weight across your body when worn properly.  Carrying capacity is dependent on the bag’s size and the rider’s comfort, but accessing the contents of your backpack will be nearly impossible while riding. Specific backpacks designed for bicycling offer features such as water bladders, helmet holders and are designed with specific features to make them more comfortable while bicycling.

Frame Bags

These bags attach directly to your bike without a rack, so you obtain the benefits of moving weight from your body to your bike.  However, frame bags tend to have lower carrying capacity than panniers and are slightly trickier to put on and to take off.

Seat Bags and Jersey Pockets

For the commuter with a locker or storage area at the office, you can carry your essentials such as wallet, keys, and phone in a bag that tucks neatly under your saddle or in a rear pocket in a cycling jersey or jacket.  Laptops and lunch bags don’t typically fit in a jersey pocket, but these options can be great for half-days or casual Fridays.

Within each category, there are hundreds of models in various sizes, shapes, colors and capacities, so assess your needs and get rolling.  Your local bike shop can help you to determine what type of rack will fit on your bicycle and what type of panniers will fit on your rack.  If you already own a backpack or a messenger bag, go for a trial ride and find out what works for you.

Bike Sharing Systems

Bike share refers to systems that provide short-term access to bicycles for use by the public.  Bicycles from a bike share system are typically available in cities with other forms of public transportation to provide for intermodal transportation (transportation that involves more than one mode – ie. bus to bike, rail to bike, etc.) options for the public.  The bicycles are usually available for free or a low rental fee, which can range from hourly to yearly, from unattended stations (although there are some bike share examples that have had stations with attendants).  However, bike sharing differs from bike rentals, because the emphasis of bike share is for transit, not tourism.  Bike sharing systems are typically not owned by private businesses or individuals; instead, bike sharing systems are often run by city governments, public-private partnerships, community groups, non-profits, schools, etc.  You can also see the definition available from StreetsWiki, Wikipedia, and the Bike-Sharing Blog.

Image Source: Wikipedia

History of Bike Sharing

Bike sharing originated in Europe, in Amsterdam to be exact, in the 1960’s.  The person credited with the idea for the first bike share is one Luud Schimmelpennick, who is something of an inventor, entrepreneur, designer, thinker, what-have-you.  Luud and a few of his friends came up with the idea for the White Bicycle in 1965, which was associated with the youth movement PROVO.  Luud and colleagues gathered a handful of bicycles, which they painted white and distributed around the city of Amsterdam for free use by the public.  Unfortunately, most of the bikes were quickly confiscated or stolen, but a strong memory or urban legend still lingers around the idea of the White Bicycle in Amsterdam.  Despite being elected to the Municipal Council in 1967, Luud could not get the necessary political support for the White Bicycle to really work, and it was not really considered very successful at the time.  Nonetheless, the White Bicycle certainly provided the impetus and inspiration for modern bicycle sharing systems.

You can learn a bit more about Luud and the White Bicycle in the video below, which we originally posted as the Pedal Power Excerpt via Amsterdamize.

In the 1970’s, the city of La Rochelle, France, launched a free yellow bicycle program for the public, which is considered the first successful example of a bike sharing system.  Many other cities around the world followed suit through the 1990’s and early 2000’s with similar programs, many of which turned out to be unsustainable due to theft, vandalism, or lack of support.  In the 2000’s cities such as Toronto, which had a BikeShare Program that operated from 2001 to 2006, as part of the Community Bicycle Network (CBN), started to get behind the idea of bike sharing for intermodal and sustainable transportation alternatives.  The Toronto BikeShare was considered to be very successful at the time, but more recent programs that utilize smart cards, advertising, manned stations to check the bikes in and out, and other features to deal with some of the problems encountered by early bike sharing systems have been much more successful.

Types of Bike Sharing Systems

There are actually quite a few different types of bike sharing systems.  The idea behind all of these systems is similar – to provide short-term access to bicycles for transit – but the operation varies from place to place and organization to organization.  There are numerous ways of describing or defining the different types of bike sharing systems, but perhaps one of my favorites is from The City of Portland Office of Transportation (see below).

1st Generation: Organic, no-tech, unstructured approach first implemented in Amsterdam in the late 1960s. Re-conditioned bikes painted common color, placed for free use throughout city with no restrictions. Bikes are often stolen or damaged. Examples include Amsterdam White Bikes (1969), Portland Yellow Bikes (1994-96), and Madison Red Bikes.
2nd Generation: Low-tech, moderate expense. Singular design to deter theft, bikes unlocked through coin deposit lock. No tracking of bicycles; systems never reached critical mass. Examples include Copenhagen (City Bikes), Helsinki, and Toronto. Melbourne is reportedly exploring such a system.
3rd Generation: High-tech, expensive ($500 – $4000/bike). Smart Card or cell phone technology allows for quick access and better tracking of fleet. Cell phone activated systems tend to have a much lower capital ($500-$1500) and operating costs than Smart Card systems.  Several, highly publicized successful programs include Paris, Lyon, and Barcelona (all Smart Card technology).  Cell phone programs (aka “Call a Bike”) are prominent in Germany.

As you can see, bike sharing systems range from low-tech to high-tech.  They also differ in terms of management.  Some bikes can be checked out from attendants (for example, at a university), while other bikes are accessible via a coin-operated machine that dispenses the bike.  Below is a video that one of our readers pointed out to us that describes a bike sharing system for students, which is a relatively common example of bike sharing.

We also recently posted about a similar bike sharing system in Tucson at the University of Arizona, in which the bicycle has to be returned to one location by a certain time at the end of the day.  Other common examples are city-wide systems, such as BIXI, with stations posted throughout the city where a rider can pick-up or drop-off the bicycles.  These appear to be the most common types of systems, but let us know if you are familiar with others!

Current Bike Sharing Systems

Rather than try to list all of the bike sharing systems throughout the world, I wanted to share this great map that I found at the Bike Sharing Blog.  The Bike-sharing World Map shows the location of 2nd and 3rd Generation Bike Sharing Systems from around the world and provides a bit of information about each of them.  I would imagine that there are many bike sharing systems not included on this list, so let us know about others or submit unlisted programs to the Bike-sharing World Map.

]]> http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/02/bike-sharing-systems/feed/ 0 http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/01/a-utility-cycling-trailer-interview/ http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/01/a-utility-cycling-trailer-interview/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:34:53 +0000 Melanie Meyers http://www.utilitycycling.org/?p=1987 One of the main purposes of Utility Cycling.org is to celebrate the many ways in which a bicycle can be used to accomplish a wide range of tasks.  In fact, the potential for utility cycling is so vast, in our Year in Review, it became apparent that we really haven’t even yet begun to scrape beneath the surface during our first half year of existence.  We have spent a lot of time talking about broad categories of utility cycling in order to set the stage for its potential, but we haven’t spent a ton of time talking about the nitty-gritty details.  Like what kind of equipment might you want to use for bicycle delivery, or how do you start a mobile bike business, or how do you carry gear by bike once you’ve decided what kind of bike to ride for daily bike commuting?

So one of the things we are excited to start in 2010 is a series of interviews with other utility cyclists.  One of our main hopes for this site it to help make utility cycling more possible for more people, and also to highlight all of its benefits and joys.  To that end, we have a handful of great interviews lined up with people who are practicing utility cycling, helping make improvements to encourage others to ride, and generally spreading bike love.

Our first interview is with Rodney, who writes for the Commute Orlando blog.  Commute Orlando is a great site dedicated to riders in the Orlando, Florida, area who want to use or are using their bicycles for transportation.  Rodney, one of the contributors to the site, noticed one of our posts – Getting Mulch with the Cargo Bike – and mentioned that he too, has a great trailer he uses to haul gear by bike.  We were excited to learn more, so read on to find our first interview with Rodney about his custom bike trailer.

Rodney & Trailer – Photo by Keri of Commute Orlando

We are looking forward to more interviews in the coming weeks, one of which will be dedicated to a very cool re-purposed bike trailer!  If you have an idea for an interview or a story to share, please contact us or comment below.

Interview with Rodney of Commute Orlando

Rodney works for a major airline as an aircraft maintenance technician.  Since taking up commuting and riding bicycles in October 2007, he has accumulated over 3200 miles pedaled to date.  He enjoys riding the Central Florida/Orlando area trails, long road rides, and running errands around town with his “grocery-getter” bicycle trailer. Check out Rodney’s photos in the gallery. (Bio from Commute Orlando).

Utility Cycling: How did you initially become interested in utility cycling?

Rodney: Once fuel became outrageous by U.S. standards, I began commuting to work by bicycle in an attempt to save on fuel and vehicle costs.  The Camelbak I used in the beginning made me all icky so I invested in a seat post rack to increase my comfort and carrying capacity.

Later, I visited www.walkscore.com and www.2milechallenge.com, and made an amazing discovery.  90% of the businesses I trade with were obtainable by using a bicycle.

I found seven grocery stores, two home improvement stores, five big box stores and a number of county parks within a 2-3 mile radius.  The seat post rack all of a sudden failed my overall needs.

Utility Cycling: What is your favorite mode of carrying things by bike?

Rodney: The seat post rack, along with a small plastic bucket, allows me to carry my lunch, fresh work clothes, and shower supplies on my daily commute.  This setup allows for light grocery trips as well. For anything larger than a reusable grocery sack or too heavy for the rack, I break out my trailer.

Photo Credit (and header photo): Rodney

Utility Cycling: Why did you select a flatbed trailer as opposed to an enclosed trailer or a single wheel trailer?

Rodney: I saw some really neat bike trailers on the internet.  The idea of a weather resistant tote on wheels got my attention.  With most of these designs, usage options would be severely limited.  It was then decided to build a flatbed to be of multi-use and therefore more versatile. This allows the use various size totes to accommodate my needs at the time.

My tool bag/box exceeds the carrying capacity of the seat post rack and the trailer meets the need for transporting between hangars.

Utility Cycling: What do you typically carry with your trailer? How often do you use the trailer?

Rodney: For the most part, I use the trailer to/from the grocery store. With a large tote strapped to the deck, I can easily haul 10-12 fully loaded reusable grocery bags. Every few weeks or so, I make a trip to the recycle center with my cardboard, newspaper, plastic bags, and other recyclables.

Her maiden voyage safely and efficiently yielded two 40 pound bags of dry dog food.

Several missions have delivered discarded bicycles to our local bicycle collective.  When riding with my family, I take the flatbed along to hold the cooler, tackle box, fishing poles, lawn chairs, and picnic basket.  My wife hitches up the child trailer and hauls our children.

Just recently, I could be seen hauling 5 gallons of diesel fuel, a 5 gallon water bottle, and two cases of motor oil…..all at once!

Photo Credit (and header photo): Rodney

Utility Cycling: How much weight is your trailer rated to carry?

Rodney: My trailer is rated up to 150 pounds.  I think I may have just exceeded that.

Utility Cycling: Can you tell us more about how you built the trailer?

Rodney: This is a DIY trailer kit from www.wicycle.com. When the kit was ordered, I upgraded to the 20 inch premium wheels from the 16 inch mag wheels and ordered an additional hitch for my wife’s bicycle.

I procured the aluminum tubing locally.  I used 23 feet of 1 inch square tubing with 0.125 or 1/8th inch wall.  The trailer platform measures 27 inches wide by 48 inches long.  The original decking was standard plywood and was replaced, rather quickly, with used aircraft composite flooring.  By doing so, I increased the useful load by 9 pounds. The empty trailer  weight is about 24 pounds.

Utility Cycling: Do you encounter many other people using bike trailers in your area?

Rodney: There are daily sightings of the ever popular child trailers.  Many of such carry double duty as a child/utility trailer (grocery/box store shopping).  There was an older gentleman using what looked like a hand dolly attached to his seat post moving a small chest of drawers.  I’ve seen a couple of touring cyclists passing through with the single wheel versions.

Utility Cycling: Do you have any recommendations for someone looking to haul stuff by bike?

Panniers would have been my first option.  However, my bike doesn’t have the necessary dropouts and would not support racks on either the front or rear. I have seen the Grocery Bag panniers in action and they haul a good deal of stuff.

If you decide to invest in a trailer, think about what will be hauled and how often it will be used. Bicycle trailers allow you to haul items ranging from school books, a cooler, a duffel bag, a full size sofa bed, an office desk, or even a standard refrigerator.

Some bicycle clubs may offer trailers for rent to their members.  If one is in your area, find out and take a “test drive” before you invest.

Also, the bicycle handling characteristics WILL be different.  Increased drag/rolling friction will be present.  I could sense the difference just hauling an empty trailer.  Understand this fact and your utility cycling experience will be a rewarding and enjoyable one!

Winter Cycling Inspiration

My inspiration for writing this post came from the prolific Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic.  The video below, from Copenhagenize, shows people riding through the snow in freshly plowed and well-trafficked bike lanes.  A desert rat such as myself definitely views said people as “hardcore”, but it should be noted that, in Copenhagen, 80% of people who use a bicycle for transportation, continue to bicycle in the winter.

Copenhagen January Cycling – Your Country from Copenhagenize on Vimeo.

I guess “hardcore” is all a matter of context.  Riding in the winter can become manageable, commonplace, and even *gasp* enjoyable after one gets over the initial “shock” of doing it and/or resistance to the idea.  The same notion could be applied to bicycling for transportation, in general, I suppose.

Winter Cycling Infrastructure

Then again, it should come as no surprise that Copenhageners continue to ride their bicycles throughout the winter, due in part to the simple fact that they are able to ride their bicycles throughout the winter.  Copenhagen’s all-weather bike infrastructure certainly provides a much more pleasant winter cycling experience than one can find in many other places; not to mention, a bike-friendly vibe throughout the year.  As you might note in the video above, there are bike-lane specific plows to clear the paths, which makes them safer and more usable throughout the winter.  A bike path that ends up being a repository for the snow cleared from the street, such as the one below, is certainly not conducive to winter cycling.

Image source: Treehugger.

Copenhagen is certainly not the only city in the world to provide winter cycling friendly infrastructure.  As this video of riding to the ice rink demonstrates, the Netherlands is also a good place to ride throughout the winter, despite cold temperatures and snow.  What about the city where you live?  Is winter cycling possible there?

In many ways, the challenge of bicycle commuting in the winter is much the same as the challenge of bicycle commuting any other time of the year.  Bicycle infrastructure is hugely important for encouraging and facilitating bicycle use.  Weather conditions can be dealt with, runny noses can be blown (I recommend the farmer’s method myself), and cold digits can be kept warm, but little of this is likely to happen when there is no bicycle-friendly environment in which to ride.  This applies to summer, winter, and all seasons.

Winter Cycling Tips & Resources

Now that I’ve said my bit about the importance of infrastructure for winter cycling, it should be acknowledged that winter cycling is a bit more of a process than cycling when the weather is not so dreary.  Simply getting dressed and undressed for your ride can take up more time than you might imagine!  You might have to alter your traditional route(s) slightly, depending on the winter-time conditions of the roads you frequent.  And you are certainly going to have to take better care of your bicycle when it gets wet, gritty, and cold.  Treehugger recently posted some winter cycling inspired articles that can be of use, including How to Cycling in Winter and 42 Tips To Help You Ride Your Bike All Winter.

There are also plenty of winter bicycle riders who provide great advice and tips for winter cycling on the Interwebs.  I’ve listed off a few of my favorites below.  If have missed any, please let me know in the comments.

• Bike Winter
• Bicycling Life
• Let’s Go Ride a Bike
• Girls and Bicycles
• She Rides a Bike
• Up In Alaska

And then, of course, there is this fellow…I just couldn’t resist the urge to post this again, especially in a winter cycling post!