Sometime in 2009, I found myself stranded on the side of a very busy road with a flat tire while out on my bike and as I counted the cars driving by, I decided that I needed a better commuting tire- something tough, durable, and cost-effective. Hours of online research and YouTube videos later, I…
“You’re 8 months pregnant! Can you please stop riding your bike?” my concerned co-worker pleaded with me on a recent Friday. As we headed to lunch in her car, she’d spotted my bike glinting in the sunlight, conspicuously tethered to a signpost in front of our office. “Actually,” I corrected her, thinking back to my…
The Velocity Messenger Bag by Ortlieb is a must have for any commuter. While Brian was busy throwing buckets of water at me, I forgot to mention how comfortable this bag is, so I decided to wear it when I took my kids to Disneyland and I wore it all day without having to trade…
Shimano is saving us from the slippin and a slidin of road shoes. I think at some point we’ve all had to get off the bike and found ourselves skating a little bit on the floor surface, I know I’ve had a few… The main point is that these bicycling shoes can be worn anytime…
If you remember the Bugle Boy Commercial from the late 80’s you’re going to love our Swrve video. Swrve may spell their name funny, but I can assure you that their cycling specific clothing is some of the best in the business. Swrve focuses on making cycling clothing that goes from bike to office without…
If youve read any of my posts here on Commute by Bike or follow me on Facebook, you might know that I do not subscribe to traditional helmet orthodoxy. I believe they have their place, they can, in fact prevent or reduce the severity of some injuries, and that the decision to wear one should…
If you ride your bike everyday like I do, your cycling jacket is super important. Not for just for warmth and protection from the elements, but in the case of the Proviz Reflect 360 Plus for additional visibility. This sweet jacket not only looks cool, it lights up like a Christmas Tree when even the…
Nutcase helmets are probably one of the best bike helmets we sell. Depending on your personality, Nutcase will have a helmet that will fit your head and style. Nutcase is a helmet that is used for touring or for commuting to work. Just remember you’re riding to work, not racing in the The Tour De…
I will have over 345 days of riding in 2015… almost every weekday I commute with the Light and Motion Vis 360 and it keeps me out of dangerous situations by making me hyper visible to motorist. I am amazed how much pulsing light in the daytime catches the attention of motorist and keeps them…
A few weeks ago, I moved from a house where I had a very simple bike commute (I rode straight down one road for 3 miles) to house located such that there are a wide array of route options. As I began exploring these various routes, I was reminded how enjoyable it is to optimize…
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,…
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…
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 in Antananarivo,…
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