Become a fan of Slashdot on Facebook

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Technology

Forms of Alternative Transportation to Work? 154

Posted by Cliff from the better-than-a-bicycle dept.
puargsss asks: "For many people a bicycle is not a viable form of transportation to work due to lack of storage space. Are there any products out there suitable for transportation to a working environment (the ability to store them inside is essential), or a detachable/retractable set of wheels similar to heelys that are built for a working environment? I normally rollerblade for sport/exercise, but it is fairly unprofessional to show up in my workplace with the rather large and clunky traditional equipment. Any ideas?"
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Forms of Alternative Transportation to Work? More

Forms of Alternative Transportation to Work?

Comments Filter:

  • Your feet. (Score:4, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 29, 2005 @06:46PM (#13431435)
    Not too clunky, and you can take them inside with you.

  • it's not a lack of storage space (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Bill Dog ( 726542 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @06:49PM (#13431452) Journal
    It's that I'd have to ride on busy streets to get there, and I'm too young to die (or worse).

    • Cycling is quite safe (Score:5, Interesting)

      by driptray ( 187357 ) on Tuesday August 30, 2005 @03:59AM (#13433861)

      It's that I'd have to ride on busy streets to get there, and I'm too young to die (or worse).

      You might be surprised to find that cycling is no more dangerous than driving [bicyclinglife.com].

      Follow that link. It leads to a "cycling safety perception" quiz, with some pretty surprising answers.

      • You might be surprised to find that cycling is no more dangerous than driving.

        Depends on where you're driving/riding. If it's a road that wasn't built to handle bicycles, then it's most certainly more dangerous, not to mention illegal, to ride a bike.

        • Re:Cycling is quite safe (Score:5, Informative)

          by rossifer ( 581396 ) on Tuesday August 30, 2005 @01:54PM (#13437894) Journal
          The only roads where it's illegal to ride a bike are limited-access highways that are posted as prohibiting bicycles.

          Otherwise, it's not illegal, and it's just about as dangerous as driving a car on the same roads.

          Plan your route to stay on back roads with speed limits of 35 or less (occasionally up to 45, but try to avoid these if possible). When riding on roads without dedicated bicycle lanes, you should tend to ride in the middle of the lane, to discourage cars from trying to share the lane with you. You may wish to move over and allow cars to pass when it is safe for you to do so (wide shoulder, middle turning lane, etc.). You should be able to sustain a pace of 20mph or faster, you should have high visibility lighting (not just reflectors) in the front and back of your bike, and your clothing/pack should be made from brightly colored fabric with reflective material for additional visibility.

          But most of that is just common sense.

          Regards,
          Ross

      • Um... No, at least not here. (Score:4, Interesting)

        by Anonymous Brave Guy ( 457657 ) on Tuesday August 30, 2005 @08:59AM (#13435004)

        I live in Cambridge, UK (the old university city) where cycling is a Very Big Thing. Many people use it as their main form of transportation, not least because 15,000+ university students aren't allowed to bring their cars with them when they come here to study.

        Our accident statistics show that cycling is far more dangerous than driving by just about any measure you care to pick. Involvement in accidents, and the results in terms of injuries and equipment damage, are far worse at all levels for cyclists than for cars. And of course, many relatively minor accidents involving cyclists go unreported, whereas almost all accidents involving a car and causing serious damage or injury get into the records.

        The quiz you linked to is a fascinating exercise in defending a position, but certainly isn't anywhere near representative of the situation in this cycling-heavy city. The questions are almost all loaded. In particular, the accident statistics for what they call an "enthusiastic cyclist" are much better than the average. They do concede that in Britain, cycling is more dangerous than driving, while apparently it's not in a few other countries. I'd be interested to see how many of those other countries use cycling as heavily as we do here in Cambridge. And I've never heard of the "Cyclists Touring Club", despite knowing people (and for several years being one of them) who cycle almost everywhere.

        Perhaps we really are uniquely bad in this respect. God knows, there are plenty of local cycling enthusiasts pushing ideas to make cycling safer around these parts, and the local councils' pro-cycling measures are frequently attacked as being ineffective. But I'd like to know how many average people (not "enthusiastic" cycling club members) use a bike as their primary means of travel in the other places considered before accepting their conclusions.

      • Re:Cycling is quite safe (Score:4, Interesting)

        by cecille ( 583022 ) on Tuesday August 30, 2005 @09:41AM (#13435290)
        You know, I don't know where those stats came from, and they may well be true, but it sure doesn't seem like it. And this is coming from someone who commutes to work every day in a car and has never been in an accident, but got hit while riding a bicycle. Although, admittedly, I don't ride much anymore.

        Here's the thing - no matter what anyone says about how "bicycles are vehicles" when I'm in my car, driving at 60 down the road, they sure don't SEEM like vehicles. My CAR is a vehicle. It is big, and heavy and moves fast. A bike is small and slow and so light you can actually pick it up and carry it. A car offers a measure of protection, bikes just don't. In a fight between my car and your bike, my car will always win.

        Honestly, when I'm driving, I try to leave as much space as possible between my car and a bike and I think a lot of people do the same. It's dangerous becuase it crowds the other lanes and forces people into quick lane changes that can be dangerous to the cars as well as to the cyclist. I've been told (and told off) about this before because "bicycles are vehicles" and "cars shouldn't have to do this", but there is always that fear that something bad is going to happen, and the cyclist may need some space. How do I know that the bike won't hit a rock/grate/curb and tip right on over? Fall into the road, and if I'm too close, guess where my right tire is...yeah, that's right...not somewhere good. So I clear away. Because let's face it...even if you've given the bike space, if the biker falls into your car it is ALWAYS the car's fault.

        Look, I don't mean to be down on cycling - I really admire people who ride instead of taking cars - it's great for the environment and for health. But when I'm in my car, it also seems like a great big giant hazard.
    • We're all too young to die.

      Plenty of people ride bikes in busy areas, and are not dead, myself included.

      Ride with traffic, follow the rules of the road, ride conservatively (never assume a driver can see you), have proper reflectors and wear bright colored clothes at night (a white t-shirt will do). Oh, and don't ride in the gutter. Occupy your space in the lane, so that everyone knows you're not kidding... you're IN the lane, they HAVE to move.

      The good thing is that sensible drivers will go out of their wa
    • I hate to break it to you but you are probably safer riding on a busy street than on a narrow rural highway.

      For one thing traffic is moving slower and drivers are generally watching for hazzards such as other drivers, pedestrians, and even bicycles.

      Also in a built-up area there are often quieter streets running alongside the busy arterials that can be used for bike commuting.

      The biggest trick to safe bike-riding in traffic is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Mostly this means looking around wh

  • Xootr Scooter (Score:5, Interesting)

    by VermifugeRT ( 461717 ) * on Monday August 29, 2005 @06:50PM (#13431463)
    I know this is SO 2001 but the scooter has really been a life saver for me. I was never happy with the cheap $50 scooters you can pick up at the local Toy Mega Stores so I did a little research and found the Xootr [xootr.com] Scooter.

    They are a little expensive starting at $150. But you will find the construction to be far superior to any razor scooter with its sturdy frame and large 7" (180mm) wheels. It cruises like nothing else. Taking very little effort to gain and maintain momentum.

    I opted for the Xootr Mg [xootr.com] ($189) with a solid magnesium deck. It comes in under 10 lbs and is east to fold and carry. Fits nice under my desk at work and take up very little space in my home. Pick up the shoulder strap [xootr.com] to make transportation even easier on crowded streets or into your place of business.
    • You forgot to mention that it's great to use for picking up your date!

  • As a bicycle commuter... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Otter ( 3800 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @06:52PM (#13431469) Journal
    ...my advice is to buy a junker bike, lock it outside, and if it gets rusty or vandalized, so be it. Maybe there's something I'm not getting (please explain if that's so) but I can't imagine a workplace where there's _nothing_ to chain a bike to.

    The only such situation I can imagine is where you ride so far that you need a good road bike that you can't leave locked to a parking meter. But if that's so, wheelie shoes are hardly a workable alternative.

    • Or heck, go all expensive and buy a folding bike, and keep it under your desk.
    • When he complains about "lack of storage space", is he complaining that his bike can't hold enough crappe? Or that he has to store the bike inside at work?

      Many workplaces pay building fees for a security person, and also parking fees per employee. If you explain to your boss that the cost of installing a bike rack is smaller than what they're paying in parking fees for just one month, and that a bike rack could be placed either right by the security kiosk, or right under the nose of a security camera, you

    • Bicycles... (Score:4, Interesting)

      by DavidNWelton ( 142216 ) on Tuesday August 30, 2005 @04:07AM (#13433878) Homepage
      ... are the way to go. They are the most efficient means of transportation in terms of how many kilometers you can go with X amount of energy (or so my physics professor said). This also means that, if it's hot out, you can go nice and slow and not arrive all sweaty. Things like scooters or in line skates might be ok if you have to involve a bus or some other public transport in your commute, but... otherwise nothing really beats a bicycle. And riding a bike is just so much more fun than walking or driving a car!

      I agree 100% with the strategy of having a clunker for use around town. It might be more fun to ride a nice mountain bike around, but the peace of mind is really worth it.
      • Things like scooters or in line skates might be ok if you have to involve a bus or some other public transport in your commute, but... otherwise nothing really beats a bicycle.

        Check with your local transit agency as many have bike racks on buses nowdays. Even if they don't or you need to take a train or tram some have bike storage on board.

        A bike can make a commute via public transport practical as you can ride to a transit center or area with a lot of commuter routes, throw the bike on-board, then use the
    • A good road bike with a not-flashy paintjob seems to work pretty well too.

      I have a fairly nice bike but it has a bean-green paint job which seems to deter theves a bit. At the very least it gets messed with much less than my old hardtail MTB with a flashy paint job did.

      FWIW most bike thieves are opportunistic so even using a cheap lock to secure a wheel to the frame is enough in most places to ensure your bike is there when you get back. (note I don't reccomend this in high-crime areas, for stops of more t
  • like the ones that were all the rage with children a few years back.

    On flat ground you move about two to three times the speed of walking & if it rains you can fold it up and take it in a bus or taxi.

    My personal experience is pick one with relatively large wheels and stay very alert at all times, stones and broken paving that you wouldn't even notice on a bicycle will throw you off.

  • Unprofessional? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Seumas ( 6865 ) * on Monday August 29, 2005 @06:54PM (#13431483)
    So showing up to work in a giant 4,000lb gas guzzling, exhaust spewing, parking-space using hung of metal is professional, but a pair of wheels on your feet is not?

    This makes about as much sense as those people who judge employees based on whether or not they're married and have kids.

    Get to work however the hell you want. If your boss somehow insists that you use one method over another, the fat fucker can pay for it.
    • If storage is an issue with this alternative transportation method then just store they alternative in the vehicle that you can't afford to drive. It's just sitting there anyway, taking up space. It is just like getting a free mini-garage for all your stuff. Small stuff in the trunk, bigger stuff in the back and pasenger seats.
      • Hey you could even make a bit of cash by renting out the back seat to homeless people (they do usually have some money, just not much)! Don't give the keys of course. Unless they pay more.

        I must admit I'm a bit confused by the assertion that commuting in roller-blades is "unprofessional." This isn't the '60s -- it's quite common these days to see young professionals in expensive suits showing up to work using whatever wacky transportation is fashionable and freshening up once they arrive (well at least i

    • Well, in a word, "yes".

      Especially when you consider the following:

      • Most people commute 30 miles or more.
      • Many companies have dress codes that might make you rather sweaty in July and August if you biked to work (or any other human powered method).
      • Companies believe in an image. Even if that means aristocratic demonstrations of hierarchy.

      Try going to work in 90% of the companies in America and you'll find the same thing true.

      I'm in a horrible condition. I work in Detroit at one of the Big Three automo

      • Find a gym near your place of work.
        Bicycle to the gym, use their shower and locker room. Walk or bicycle the rest of the way.

        I live in Seattle. Last year, I lost 5400 lbs in one day!

        I traded in my car for a road bicycle, pedaled 40 lbs off of my body and I have been commuting by bicycle for almost a year. I love bicycling to work, even in the rain. My employers have locker rooms where I can shower and stow my sweaty clothes, and I save time by exercising while I commute.

        BTW, when I started bicycling, I
        • Cool idea, except that you don't really save time while bicycling to work unless bicycling takes less than an hour or so (assuming you would work out for about an hour a day). For me, it would take 4 to 5 hours one way because unfortunately it is a full hour with no traffic jams by car to work (and on very busy highways to boot). Of course, I'd love to find work closer to home but at the moment it's not possible.

          However, for those in the right place, bicycling to a gym near your place of work to freshen
          • Cool idea, except that you don't really save time while bicycling to work

            The point isn't to save time. It's to make yourself healthy, while not polluting the environment.

          • For the past few years, Cascade bicycle club has conducted an experiment where two people do the same commute for one day, one by biycle and the other by car. For the 30 minute in-city drive, in the past few years, the bicyclist has arrived within a minute or so of the car.

            For a while, my bicycle + bus commute from Seattle to Redmond over the 520 bridge was only about 15 minutes slower than by car.

            That said, depending on the urban planning of your area and distance between your home and work, commuting by

      • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:2, Interesting)

        by Seumas ( 6865 ) *
        Okay, maybe I just work for a rare company, but I wear jeans and a teeshirt to work. I didn't want a long commute, so I moved to within three miles of the office. If I were to take a sweaty method of transportation, I'd just take a shower in the campus gym.

        I'm a tech geek in a 40,000 employee technology company. I don't interface in meatspace with clients, so as long as I'm not showing my nuts and disrupting coworkers with my manner of dress, nobody could really care any less. I presume(d) that most of the

      • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:4, Interesting)

        by Baloo Ursidae ( 29355 ) <dead@address.com> on Monday August 29, 2005 @11:33PM (#13432869) Journal
        Most people commute 30 miles or more.

        Only if they're dumb enough to live in a different city than the one they work in. Or Los Angeles (but that's kind of redundant, calling Californians stupid).

        Many companies have dress codes that might make you rather sweaty in July and August if you biked to work (or any other human powered method).

        Most bikes equipped for commuting have plenty of space to carry a change of clothes as well as personal effects. I commuted 15 miles by bicycle for years wearing a t-shirt and jeans or shorts. Get to work, change in the restroom.

        Companies believe in an image. Even if that means aristocratic demonstrations of hierarchy.

        Thus damaging their own image and alienating their talent pool.

        Detroit has effectively no public transportation that anyone would consider without a large hand gun and you are expected to drive into work in a shiny new clean 6,000 lb SUV because you're supporting the company.

        That's like saying folks who work at Bombardier have to drive to work in a Type II LRV, even if there aren't any light rail tracks and they aren't qualified to drive a train.

        You have options. You refuse to acknowledge them. This is your own fault.

        • If you're taking a jab at Californians for the liberal politics, I'll point out that while LA is known for it's web of freeways, the Bay Area has some of the best public transportation in the country. LA finally built the Metro when they realized it'll only cost more if they wait. If they double or triple it's reach, they just might be able to have busses fill in the gaps and have adequate transportation with fewer cars.
          • If you're taking a jab at Californians for the liberal politics,

            Nope. And I hate to break it to you, but California is a conservative state. You inflicted Reagan on your neighbors. You're trying to inflict Arnold on your neighbors. You enabled both Bush presidencies. You caused the power crisis, then blamed your neighbors. Your trash visits then forgets to go back to California (folks in Washington, Colorado and Arizona can also attest to similar Californication of their states). Fuck California a

            • The state has had more Republican governors lately, but the legislature has has made the state's laws most definitely liberal.
              Arnold's approval has declined to 30-something percent.
              Califonia went to Gore in 2000.
              The power companies illegally exploited the poor wording of CA's power deregulation.
              CA didn't have a negative net domestic immigration rate until 1990. [census.gov] Frankly I think the influx of illegal immigrants has played a large part in causing that.

              When BART struck and the trains stopped, traffic on the fr
              • The state has had more Republican governors lately, but the legislature has has made the state's laws most definitely liberal.

                Yes, eliminating legal safeguards and allowing critical utilities to privatize was in everybody's best interest. Catering to illegal immigrants is in everybody's best interest. Oh yeah, that's sure liberal all right, you don't put money exclusively in the pockets of the rich at the expense of the entire region, oh no...

                The power companies illegally exploited the poor wording of

                • Nice, so when you're wrong about some of the points you just ignore them like you were never wrong in the first place.

                  About the power situation, I acknowledged that mistakes were made, but the companies were at fault also.

                  Funny thing about illegal immigration, the voters passed prop 209, which was very anti-illegal immigrant, but the courts struck it down. The Border Patrol is the Federal government's job. I blame them. Liberals tend to be compassionate, but even many of them realize one state can't affo
                  • Frankly I find it sad that you're so upset that someone else found a slice of paradise and wants in but you don't want to share. It's like ultimate NIMBY isn't it? Regardless of whether the migration is from CA, NY, or TX.

                    Sigh, I must admit I liked this area a lot better before everyone went and 'discovered' it.

                    Still as you point out it isn't as if we can stop people from moving here. Besides I'm not sure I'd like to see the changes that might cause people to start moving elsewhere.

        • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:3, Insightful)

          by jellomizer ( 103300 ) *
          Most people commute 30 miles or more.
          Only if they're dumb enough to live in a different city than the one they work in.

          Umm it is not dumb when the cost of living 30 miles away from the city could be half of it is in the city, as well as fewer crimes and a quieter area. I would gladly travel 30 miles and back to get to work even if gas as at $5.00 a gallon. Because the price of my house that distance away is much more affordable and taxes are way cheaper. The $10 dollars a day for an average good mpg car,

          • Umm it is not dumb when the cost of living 30 miles away from the city could be half of it is in the city, as well as fewer crimes and a quieter area.

            That explains why one might want to live 30 miles from the city (though it is probably an exaggeration, I doubt the cost is half). Doesn't explain why one might want to live there and still work in the city.

            Personally I'd be willing to do it temporarily, and I have. But as a permanent solution, it sucks.

            and here is a news flash. Not all people live in

            • If the city in question is NYC, 30 miles can absolutely be half (or more) of the cost. A hole in the wall apartment in Manhattan can easily run you $3,000 a month. Outside of the city (maybe an hour commute, by train), and you can get a very nice place for $1500.
              • Well, I'm in St. Louis, I'm starting a company, and the offices HAVE to be downtown, both to get decent internet throughput (providing network services) and to qualify for tax credits. I live in the suburbs. I'm trying to do home office via OpenVPN and VOIP and such as much as possible, but there are times that nothing replaces going into the office.

                That said however, a staple of a business such is this is that there are times that emergencies happen, and we have to get to the client's site in a hurry.

              • The cost of living, especially when working in a city like NYC, consists of much more than just the cost of an apartment. The train alone is going to cost hundreds of dollars a month. Now add parking fees at the train station, because you're not going to get a place within walking distance to the train station very cheaply. This is without even mentioning all the indirect costs. Adding 10 hours to a 40 hour work week is going to raise at least some of them.

            • That explains why one might want to live 30 miles from the city (though it is probably an exaggeration, I doubt the cost is half). Doesn't explain why one might want to live there and still work in the city.

              Well, I can confirm that for cities like San Francisco and Toronto, the cost of housing right downtown (or near downtown) is massively more expensive than housing further out in the city or in the surrounding suburbs.

              I knew people in San Francisco who had commutes of up to two hours because they could ei

              • Eh. I prefer to live in half the space (not in disrepair though) for the same money, close to the city and my office rather than spend an extra 20 hours a week polluting the environment from my car. I'd just fill the extra space with more stuff anyway...

                To each his own, though. I know many people who'd rather have the extra space and stuff than the extra time. We all make our own trade-offs, I suppose.

                • Eh. I prefer to live in half the space (not in disrepair though) for the same money, close to the city and my office rather than spend an extra 20 hours a week polluting the environment from my car. I'd just fill the extra space with more stuff anyway...

                  To each his own, though. I know many people who'd rather have the extra space and stuff than the extra time. We all make our own trade-offs, I suppose.

                  Well, the persons in question were all married and had several kids.

                  I'm sure for a bachelor, or a couple wi

            • I don't want to work in the city, I want to earn enough money to pay for my life, have room for my hobbies, and neighbors that don't complain about my hobbies. (See the typical restrictions on a townhome) Jobs that will pay for that are much easier to find in the city, thus I live 50 miles from work.

              Your right it sucks. It is a compromise. I'd love to work from home, but I'm not allowed with this job. I'd love to live next door to work, but their offices are not next door, and the other people I wor

          • Don't forget about those hidden costs to car ownership.

            Let's say you commute 30 miles each way with $3/gallon of fuel, get 30 mpg, buy a $10,000 car every 5 years, and pay $100/month in insurance.

            $6/day for fuel * 52 weeks * 5 days/week = $1560 / year in fuel
            $100/month for insurance * 12 months = $1200 / year for insurance
            $10,000 for a car / 5 years = $2000 / year for the car
            Throw in car washes, repairs, and parking = $500 / year

            So, that car is costing you $5,260.00 per year.

            Next, what is your time worth?
        • I live in California. The heart of Silicon Valley to be precise. I commute precisely 1.2 miles to work. That's much much better than my Oregonian friend who commutes 30 miles.

          Before you attempt to remove the speck in your Californian neighbor's eye, remove the chip on your Oregonian shoulder first.
          • I live in California. The heart of Silicon Valley to be precise. I commute precisely 1.2 miles to work. That's much much better than my Oregonian friend who commutes 30 miles.

            These results are atypical. Your mileage will vary.

        • Only if they're dumb enough to live in a different city than the one they work in. Or Los Angeles (but that's kind of redundant, calling Californians stupid).

          See, I really hate people like this -- people who have no problem with uprooting themselves every year or two to shuffle 20 miles away because their job has moved. People who can find work that allows them a salary in which to house themselves and their family in the same dense urban overpriced core -- or who don't mind spending way too much for housin
          • See, I really hate people like this -- people who have no problem with uprooting themselves every year or two to shuffle 20 miles away because their job has moved. People who can find work that allows them a salary in which to house themselves and their family in the same dense urban overpriced core -- or who don't mind spending way too much for housing.

            So you hate common sense and love urban sprawl.

            Wait, these people don't have families, because they have no social skills, and so remain loners and put

    • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by nurb432 ( 527695 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @08:31PM (#13432013) Homepage Journal
      Ah, you must not work in the professional world, where these things DO matter..

      Your clothes, where you live, what kind of car you drive all factor into your career options in the 'professional' world..

      Be it right or wrong, its reality.

      • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:4, Informative)

        by fm6 ( 162816 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @09:39PM (#13432370) Homepage Journal
        Be it right or wrong, its reality.
        You must be new around here. Reality doesn't matter. Being right is what matters!
        • Comment removed based on user account deletion
          • I pretty much agree with the opinions you state. ("Reasonable men adjust themselves to their environment. Unreasonable men attempt to change their environment to suit themselves. Therefore all progress is the work of unreasonable men." George Bernard Shaw.) But I'm afraid my comment was pure sarcasm. Somebody who insists that they're taking a moral stand by refusing to "dress up" is just exercising their ego. Not all battles are worth fighting.
      • Ah, you must not work in the professional world, where these things DO matter.

        Ah, you must not work in the 3rd millennium yet, where these things DON'T matter. You might want to join us, things are better here in the future. Even the September That Never Ended [ursine.ca] ended earlier this millennium.

      • Re:Unprofessional? (Score:2, Insightful)

        by Rude Turnip ( 49495 )
        Only if you work for assholes does it matter. I work for an old, well-established and well-regarded financial services firm. There are, let's see...only 3 "luxury" cars in the car park, with the rest being mostly domestic sedans and *gasp* pickup trucks. We live in anything from apartments to houses to farms and the dress code is casual (but not slouchy). Everyone is evaluated in terms of the quality of their work and the nature of their character. The point being that the reality of the "professional
    • Well being that if you get to work all sweaty and stinky, and most business buildings don't have showers in them. Yes it could be considered unprofessional. I am sure the company would love it when they have a share holder meeting and on the tour they wonder in the IT area and get a smell of intense BO, will seem very professional.

    • The nice thing is that the 4,000 lb beast includes climate control, so you don't smell like a pig in the office.

      If you don't want to ride a bus, bike or train to work, take a cab.
  • Try these [marktplaats.nl] in winter.
  • by living in your cubicle.

    Bonus: You can then read slashdot in office all day.

  • Cubicle Bike Rack (Score:4, Informative)

    by cmallory.berserk.org ( 319256 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @07:11PM (#13431582) Homepage
    I pretty much had the same situation, and I have a nice bike. So I built something for inside my cube. Details: http://berserk.org/cbr/ [berserk.org] Hope this helps.

  • Folding bikes (Score:5, Informative)

    by Turn-X Alphonse ( 789240 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @07:14PM (#13431603) Journal
    For years my grandad swore by his foldable bike. It folds in half and fits in the back of a car. No reason you couldn't get one of them.

    Or as you said roller blades, they'll do the job just fine.

  • Lack of space...? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by merkac ( 553485 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @07:47PM (#13431788) Homepage Journal
    Get a Cubicle bike rack! [berserk.org]

    cross-pollinated via Make.

  • Here you go. [otherlandtoys.co.uk] Bonus points for looking like a haker^W hiker.

  • did you ask? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Is it actually against the rules where you work to bring a bike inside? Ask around (your manager, or the HR dept) maybe there is a storage closet you can use or an unused cubicle somewhere.

    If you work someplace with tedious people who are not accomodating, maybe transportation is not your number one problem.

  • unprofessional? (Score:3, Informative)

    by Yonder Way ( 603108 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @08:39PM (#13432061)
    "I normally rollerblade for sport/exercise, but it is fairly unprofessional to show up in my workplace with the rather large and clunky traditional equipment."

    If this is your excuse for not rollerblading, you're not likely to like anything anyone here has to pitch.

    But honestly I think the problem is all in your head. I think if you had a backpack and stowed all your gear in the pack before walking in the door nobody could possibly object.
    • No kidding. I'm really not sure what kind of professional job this guy has, or exactly what his constraints are. If he has a job where the dress code actually matters, nothing short of renting a locker at the gym where he can keep clean and laundered clothes will help. You're not going to keep your shirt pressed in a backpack, never mind pants, tie, and jacket. I've never had much luck with shoes, either, but I"m a damned careless hippy.

      On the other hand, this is slashdot. The guy probably works as a t
      • Skates (along with helmet, pads, etc.) can pretty much disappear into a backback or gym bag, especially low-cut 5 wheel speed skates, which are faster anyway. If it's a problem you just change before you get to the building and walk the last block or so.

        I work at a fairly large company and there have always been at least a few execs who bike to work. But this is SoCal, where a newspaper column I read several years ago pointed out that you could be sitting in ratty cutoffs and a tank top at a sidewalk cafe

  • Yes, it's called a FOLDING bike (Score:4, Interesting)

    by linuxwrangler ( 582055 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @08:57PM (#13432161)
    I've ridden my Brompton to various jobs for years. I don't know how many miles are on it but well over 4,000 since I finally put on a bike-computer. I got (at the time) top-of-the-line version along with extended seat-tube due to my leg-length, rack, and the nice removable front bag. I also added some more lighting and reflectors and replaced the standard seat.

    Folding or unfolding takes 15-20 seconds and it is very small when folded so I can put it in any number of out-of-the-way places. It will fit under my desk if no other spot is available.

    All told I probably have spent ~$1,400 on the bike, upgrades and maintenance. Assuming a very conservative 4,000 miles, my per/mile cost is $0.35. If the current IRS business mileage deduction rate of $0.405/mile in some way reflects average operating costs, then the bike became "free" quite a while ago. At current rates, fuel cost alone for my 30-something mpg car is over $0.08/mile so given my approximately 13 mile round-trip commute, I save about $20/month on fuel alone. Parking in the building would cost another $60/month. Incremental maintainence on the car is probably at least another $20/month. All told, it's easy to save $100/month and get some exercise as well.

    It doesn't take long to pay for even a moderately pricey bike at those savings.

  • Sweat (Score:3, Interesting)

    by srobert ( 4099 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @09:10PM (#13432232)
    "I normally rollerblade for sport/exercise, but it is fairly unprofessional to show up in my workplace with the rather large and clunky traditional equipment."

      In my workplace, it's unprofessional to show up soaking wet and smelling like a pig, which is what I'd be if tried to rollerblade or bike to work. I might consider a motorcycle for myself. But you might want to see if your employer will let you chain a bike to something that's not really for that purpose like a lamppost.

    • In my workplace, it's unprofessional to show up soaking wet and smelling like a pig, which is what I'd be if tried to rollerblade or bike to work.

      Agreed, that's why you should shower once you arrive and change into a new set of clothes which you brought with you to work.

      I have the good fortune to work in an office attached to a factory, which for OSHA reasons needs an emergency shower. I shower off, change into dress pants, shirt, and tie, then go sit in my "open concept" office all day.

      The only exercise I
      • I live in BC, in an outdoor-sports mad town, and in the depths of winter I often see folks commuting on bikes in snowstorms. That's a bit much for me, and only ride when it's dry. Last year I was very fortunate and lived ~500 feet up a mountain from town, and had many days when I could ski to town, arriving at work not too sweaty and very awake. My coworkers were all like "Dude, skis are for old people, snowboarding is where it's at.", so maybe it was holding me back. I've since moved, and will no longer be
        • It's pitch black during the morning and evening commutes
        • It's cold outside, with snow on the ground

        • I'm sorry, but when my body starts to freeze to a block of solid ice while cycling, it's time to put the bike away.

          Lightweight (but what do you expect out of California...).

          You're only 42 degrees north, you still have plenty of light after work and in the morning. And you know not what weather is. Shit, Vancouver and Whistler, BC are at 50 degrees north. Many winter mornings have snow at the uppe

      • Assuming that your office has a shower, mine doesn't. Well even if it did I would not be able to bike to work, my house is 50km away, and there is probably about 1000ft of vertical climb as well. Plus there are some areas that I would be afaid to bike threw for risk of getting shot at.

        Right now I take a bus to work, its about 2 hours each way. (on a good day) but I can't afford a car yet and need the job.
      • Well, for people like me at 42 degrees North latitude, late fall / all winter / early spring have two distinct problems:
        It's pitch black during the morning and evening commutes
        It's cold outside, with snow on the ground
        I'm sorry, but when my body starts to freeze to a block of solid ice while cycling, it's time to put the bike away.

        I live in SoCal now, but spent 6 years cycling to work year round in Minneapolis, and a year in Boston before that.

        It's really not so bad biking in the cold (I still do it on vaca

  • Want alternatives? Lobby your company for them (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Chakka! ( 524992 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @09:24PM (#13432303)
    Many companies have incentives from city or local governments to reduce the # of parking spots or automobile commuters arriving at the workplace. Talk to your Company and ask the tough questions: what is this company doing to support alternatives to driving to work? Every place I have ever worked I've contacted everyone I could think of to ask about showers, changing areas, lockers, and parking for bicycles. Many times the answer is "We dont have any" but unless people ask for these things, why would a company build them? A few times I was suprised and the company relocated (from somewhere they were unused) or erected outside bicycle-storage lockers which I could then use. Its up to you... Participate in building the workplace/world you want.
  • I'm not a bike person (too uncoordinated), but when I think of "bicycles" and "commuting", I think folding bicycles [google.com].
  • Have you looked at folding bikes by Dahon [dahon.com] or in the UK Brompton [bromptonbicycle.co.uk]?
  • I for one can not wait for the day when I can be transported to the office.

    Beam me over Scotty. :)

  • Oregon (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Baloo Ursidae ( 29355 ) <dead@address.com> on Monday August 29, 2005 @11:22PM (#13432823) Journal
    Oregon is full, so this really doesn't apply to people outside of Oregon (save for the tourists...remember to leave when you're done visiting). Oregon law requires weather-protected bicycle parking for most commercial and all government facilities. If you are in Oregon, and you can't park your bike, it might be time to remind them of their legal obligation to bicyclists.

  • Alternatives (Score:3)

    by RealityMogul ( 663835 ) on Monday August 29, 2005 @11:27PM (#13432846)
    Unicycle
    Skateboard
    Cross Country Skiing
    Moon Shoes
    Stilts
    Dog Sled
    Hot Air Balloon

    Ya know, this is why you're not getting that promotion. Fred's getting promoted cause he wears moon shoes. Get with the program slacker.
    • Why no paraglider - a good geek could build one him selfs - properly a hell to get a license, but anyway.

      e8e3d50494900a3608982b45c0e76383
    • you definately shouldnt' forget the Hindenpeter or the Petercopter!
    • Does anybody have any data on relative efficiency of these? I don't like bicycling so I'm interested in skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades as alternatives, but I'm not going to pick one just because it's cool...
  • For the people who don't want to arrive at work stinky and sweaty, try an electric bicycle. There are small folding models, as well as retrofit motor/battery kits for regular bikes.
  • You have one stapped inside/outside ankle, high up on ankle, only 1 inch or less of wheel is below your sole line, and for balance in motion, small rollers at front of shoe and back of shoe.

    It has a built in 'balance' akin to segway, but instead of requiring batteries all it does is lift the wheel, and you are using your feet (roller lift also a bit), and you own (worse than segway apparently) bio balancing act. Want to move off? set wheels down and roll... dunno how tricky balancing would be though...

    Proba
  • It seems like all other forms of private transportation requires you to be outside in the elements. I myself can handle getting wet in the rain. But when it is 5F below 0F and a wind chill of -20F I sure with icy roads or 1/2-6 inches of snow on them I do not want to take a bike, segway, scooter, motorcycle, or anything but (something with tracts or (4 wheels over and 1 foot radius)) and a heated cabin). and conversely when it is 90F with high humidity (Where you sweat will not evaporate off you causing

Slashdot Top Deals

It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

Close