It took Jenny about five years to ultimately embrace life on bikes. In these videos, she openly discusses the rough road from being “addicted†to her minivan to realizing that her family of six was better off without it.
Commute by Bike
Cargo Hitch with Trailing and Offset Modes
Having to tow lengthy cargo (golf clubs, fish tanks, suspiciously unmarked cardboard boxes: the essentials) is definitely a problem, but one of our readers has come up with his own hitching system to offset the literal “drag” of figuring out how to set up your trailer to fit in bigger packages.
Recovering and Rediscovering Cycling after 20 Years
I used be a cyclist. Then I wasn’t. After almost twenty years I’ve started cycling again. Why such a big gap? What has changed in that time?
Commute by Bike T-Shirts: Be the First Commuter on your Block…
Five poll-takers chosen at random will receive a free t-shirt once we choose a design. You’ll be able to buy the shirts eventually, but at first they’ll be extremely exclusive.
Austin Bike Zoo's Non-Utility Cycling
The mission of Austin Bike Zoo is “to have fun and make people happy with our unique human powered vehicles, bicycle-based theatrical performances and educational programs for youth.” You could call what they do, “non-utility cycling” if you’re the type of person who finds no utility in art, community building, and imagination. But you’re not,…
Oregon's Greenlick Bill: No Kids Under Six on Bikes or Trailers (Roundup)
In Portland, the most bicycle friendly city in the country a bill was introduced that would prohibit Oregon cyclists from carrying children under the age of six on a bicycle or in a bicycle trailer.
This is a Confession, not a Bike Review
This morning, as I was getting ready to head in to work, I remembered that I still had this borrowed e-bike. At that moment, I felt a little bit of dread melt away.
The Rise of the Commuter & E-Bike Specialist Shop (Part 3)
Cycle 9 in Carrboro North Carolina carries both traditional commuter bike and e-bikes. Cycle 9 also specializes in cargo bikes and electric assisted cargo bikes.
Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studded Tires (700×40)
Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires are for-keeps. They ride on snow and ice as-advertised: capably, confidently, with nary a slip to be found. Better yet, they ride super-well on the pave’, too, without many of the troubling handling traits and noise complaints common with other studded tires.
How To Dress For Cold Weather (2011 Update)
An update from the most popular post from 2006: Nick James’ “How To Dress For Cold Weather (2011 Update)”
Utility Cycling: Scoop Me Once, Shame on You… (Roundup)
And sometimes, when I’m not looking, they will scoop me with a great article of interest to bike commuters. Last week they did that three times.
Commute by Velomobile
Have you ever wished to be commuting faster than on a road bike, to be riding protected from rain, wind and cold? How about lounge chair comfort, a trunk for our luggage, fully protected drive train or slip-protection? All of this in one bike? If so, try out a velomobile.
Bike Vigil in Tucson for Shooting Victims
I never would have thought that a video could be so moving, when it merely shows cyclists riding around at night. But this video from Tucson Velo shows the turnout for a bike vigil held yesterday for the victims of the shooting in Tucson on Saturday, January 8. The gunman killed six, and injured 13, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is also a cyclist and cycling advocate.
The Helmetclava by Outdoor Research
At $35 MSRP, the Helmetclava is more expensive than other balaclavas you can find. It is indeed a fine piece of winter commuting gear, but it takes a little getting used to.
Wishing Gabrielle Giffords Many More Commutes by Bike
Gabrielle Giffords is one of those rare leaders who commute by bike. … As we reflect upon the tragedy in Tucson and mourn this loss, let’s take this opportunity to consider the impact of inflammatory language not only in politics but in all realms where unstable individuals are liable to turn metaphor into violent action.
Motor Kit Methadone for Internal Combustion Junkies
I believe there is something about internal combustion that is deeply embedded in the American soul. I realized this after living abroad, in Africa. I didn’t set foot on American soil for more than two years. It was in Africa where I learned to maintain a motorcycle engine. When I returned to the USA, I set out on a three-month motorcycle tour to rediscover my country.
Bicycles and Bhutan's Gross National Happiness
“I’m very happy to that our two kings–the fourth king who is now in retirement, and the present king who sits on the throne–have very recently started bicycling. … The idea is to make Bhutan a bicycle culture, supported by a public transportation system.”
Musicians Who Gig with a Bike Trailer Rig
The Haulin’ Bass Project got me wondering about other musicians or bands that use bike trailers, or pedal power exclusively. Here’s what I turned up: The Haulin’ Bass Project
The Very Best Bike Locks
If you want to keep your bike, and I’m pretty sure you do, you firstly need two good locks.
Resolutions Great and Small for 2011
I sent out requests (kind of at the last minute) to the writers who make Commute by Bike a great read. I asked for their New Years Resolutions for 2011. These are the ones that came back in time. Please add your resolutions in the comments. Josh Lipton Publisher Looking forward into 2011, a bike…
Commute by Bike's Top 10 from 2010
2010 was a big year for Commute by Bike. I thought we’d wrap up with a list of the top posts from the year. Coming up with the top ten wasn’t easy to do. Sure, we know how many people have visited each page, but posts from early in the year have had a head…
Choking on Congestion Charges
Charging determined motorists and using their dollars to reinvest in alternative methods of transportation sounds like a genius scheme. However, between the lack of sufficient evidence that it actually improves conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.
More DIY Studded Tires and Winter Riding Tips (Roundup)
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about these DIY snow tires using zip ties. One of our readers, Matt, gave it a try. “The zip-tie thing was a complete bust for me,” he wrote in the comments. “All of them snapped on the way home.” Disappointing as was that news, there are still DIY…
The Rise of the Commuter & E-Bike Specialist Shop (Part 2)
Price is not a big thing holding people back from buying an electric bike at Hybrid Cycles. The reality is that when you break down the life cycle cost of an e-bike compared to an automobile it is much, much less.