This is like one of those “When You See It” pictures that your friends send you on Facebook. I took this photo while commuting by bus in Madagascar. Do you notice anything odd? This was during my “Bikeless in Madagascar” period. It was a weird time. I would do my normal morning get-ready-for-work routine. I’d…
Over the last 22 years that Ive been bicycle commuting regularly, I have often tried to be a messenger-bag-kinda-gal, but it never seemed to work out. The bags felt too floppy, or too small, or too big, and always too heavy on my shoulder. They often swung around while I was riding, and I can…
If you’re a devout follower of the Commute By Bike blog, you know that I typically write about exciting advocacy issues and helpful or controversial new products. Once in awhile, I engage in some hard-hitting investigative journalism. Today, however, I am inspired to write about a more personal experience with cycling – one that reminded…
When I launched www.CampfireCycling.com in 2006, I had great timing. While the economy was about to head off a cliff, I somehow got myself into a nice little area of opportunity that was very likely buoyed by the residual impacts of our collective economic shit-storm. It was very exciting how excited everyone was about using…
For the first time in more than 20 years I do not have a bicycle. Here’s what happened: The bike that I have been using since I arrived in Madagascar belonged to the Government of the United States of America (USA). A few days ago, I wrapped up my contractual obligations to that particular organization,…
I walked the floors of Interbike for the last 3 days. I met with our suppliers, the folks behind brands like Ortlieb, Revelate, Thule, and Weehoo. After some catching up and business talk I captured video of their latest products some of which I will be sharing here after some editing. The culture shifts of…
Bicycle commuters have a high affective appraisal of their commute mode, and rate the habit strength of their commute significantly higher than drivers or bus riders. This research, compiled by psychologists Gregory Owen Thomas and Ian Walker in the UK and reported by CityLab’s Eric Jaffe, adds a nice punch of science to what many…
In my ongoing search for the perfectly usable bicycle, I made some very interesting strides using an Xtracycle Edgerunner as my platform. Most notable among my advancements in the JOYBAG philosophy was my lock configuration. But the day has come where I need to move onto another bicycle. As a bike shop owner, I find…
I got the call to review the Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier from Two Wheel Gear (2WG), and of course, the first thing I did was to read the review of the Classic on CBB. At first I was a little worried about what I got myself into, but a quick review of the 2WG website…
I started out my career as a bike nerd with a very pro helmet attitude. But then I began hearing a variety of disarming anti-helmet arguments. I struggled with these bizarre new concepts. What! helmet laws result in people riding bicycles less? What! helmets give the perception that cycling is dangerous? What! helmets don’t protect…
Check out this homemade bike bell system I came across in Madagascar.The owner of the bike — perhaps the inventor — was more than happy to demonstrate.I was visiting the Cold Water Geysers of Analavory. I was not commuting per-se; I was being a tourist.The geysers are not a natural phenomenon, but instead are related…
I am a very lucky guy. I get to go cycling with my daughter. Showing the joy of cycling to my daughter has been one of my favorite things about being a dad. When we go on a ride it is an adventure for just the two of us. Or for the whole family. And…
For several years, I have been reading about cyclists’ frustrations with people parking in bike lanes. Very often, the focus of these posts is the lack of attention and action offered by local enforcement agencies. Last Friday, I published my own ruminations on the topic. On the same day, a lawyer in Arlington, Virginia published…
Bike lanes have about a dozen different names and an approximately equal number of design variations. However, the intended purpose of bike lanes is the same on all streets, in all cities: to provide cyclists with a car-free lane for safer, more efficient riding. When used appropriately, bike lanes make our streets safer for motorists,…
If you bet against the Senate to pass the DRIVE Act before the federal transportation program ran out of funding on July 31st, it’s time to get your wallet out. Right at the deadline, and right before breaking for its annual August recess, the Senate approved the comprehensive transportation bill that includes at least three…
I just pumped a tire for the first time in 10 months. Not because I haven’t had a flat. I have. Not because I ride on my rims when my tires are flat. I don’t (usually). It’s because between my house and my workplace there are at least six roadside bike repair guys. I live…
Mobile bike shops are an important industry trend to watch in 2015, reported Fred Clements, the executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association, on Bicycle Retailer and Industry News earlier this year. Humbly, I admit that Commute By Bike predicted this trend many moons ago, when I first wrote about CycloMend in 2013 and…
If you do a quick search for earbuds or headphones on Campfire Cycling, you likely will not be surprised to learn that we cover the controversial topic of cycling with headphones about once a year. Posts appear from as early as 2006 to discuss the logic and legality of riding while wearing sound-restricting devices. At this…
“If you’re one of millions of cyclists, you know every time you saddle up, anything can happen.” That, according to Garmin’s promotional video, is why you need the Varia Rearview Radar, scheduled for release this fall. Before watching the promotional video that likely had the working title “Fear Sells,” I present you with a brief,…
Back in 1997, Sweden adopted the concept of Vision Zero. The Swedish approach to road safety is a straightforward and powerful initiative that can be summarized in a single sentence: No loss of life is acceptable.Admittedly, when I first started learning about Vision Zero, which has been gaining traction in European countries as well as…
Once again, it’s been awhile since my last contribution to Commute by Bike. Loyal readers of this wonderful blog may remember some of my posts from years past, which range from insightful (I hope) to asinine (I suspect). I could not, however, miss an opportunity to write about one of the most important recent developments…
Our long-time readers might remember our Kickstarter project from 3 years ago focused around the Wandertec TUBA. The project didn’t fund which meant that rather than quickly launching this new product to fill the pre-orders, it became a backburner project, worked on at a gradual and organic pace. The TUBA Has Finally Arrived Well after…
There is a clanking, creaking noise in my commuter bike right now. I am pretty sure I know where it is, but laziness is getting the best of me. Let me qualify my laziness. Where I think the clank is coming from is in a part of my BionX powered Xtracycle Edgerunner that is very…
One of the more annoying aspects of everyday bicycle use is fumbling with a bicycle lock. Arriving at your destination by automobile, on the other hand, is a smooth elegant experience. With the click of a button, you are off on your merry way. Why can’t we ride our bicycles and lock them with ease…
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