Comments on: Folding bike fail

By: sdfdf

sdfdf — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:22:28 +0000

for extra help, maps and tips, check this site out:
http://www.folding-electric-bicycle.com/

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:44:00 +0000

My husband and I both have Montague DX bikes. They are great bikes and fold up so we can fit them in the trunk of his Honda. When we need trunk space, both bikes will fit in the back of a closet in our apartment. Find me another full size bike that can do that! I don’t think you should return your bike because one security guard gave you his opinion on what the rules are. You set yourself up for failure. Try putting it in a bag, and you’ll likely have no problem. Oh, and next time you are going to jaywalk across the street, don’t flag down a police man and tell him what you are about to do. Duh.

By: Urbanis

Urbanis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:00:13 +0000

This incident is almost certainly about appearances. I used to work in a prime historic building in SoHo and right inside the entrance was a sign forbidding bicycles, skateboards, and scooters. I always bagged my folding bike before going indoors and taking it on the elevator. I am certain the security guards knew exactly what was in the bag (and I always made a point of being on a first-name basis with them) but because the bicycle was not visible, they could always claim ignorance if challenged by their bosses.

While waiting more enlightened practices, Felix, bag your bike. It’s a little more hassle, but at least you’ll have gotten your bike into the building (and into a secure space), which is more than most bike commuters in New York can do at the present moment.

By: sam

sam — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:16:01 +0000

hopefully, this will be rectified by the passage of the bikes in buildings bill, which should occur any day now.

By: nick gogerty

nick gogerty — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:07:30 +0000

Felix,

you can call 311 in NYC and ask for a Bike Rack requisition form. They email you a form and you fax it in. You can then follow up and see if they put in the bike rack. My guess is if enough people petition then a bike rack gets put in. Sounds like a good google mash-up and populist tool is needed to vote for these things.

By: John Kuhn

John Kuhn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:28:26 +0000

I was astonished to learn that I couldn’t bring my bike into a NYC building, on a Saturday no less. That was over 10 years ago. I would have hoped that had changed. I do know there are some bike friendly buildings, but NYC needs to do more.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:19:34 +0000

Felix,

stay with it. before you know it, you will love commuting on your bike. you cannot replace the independent and liberating feeling that bicycle commuting gives you.

for extra help, maps and tips, check this site out:
http://www.nycbikemaps.com/

By: timothy gardner

timothy gardner — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:54:02 +0000

too bad about the flat. i’ve had zero flats with tires that have kevlar in them. they will cost you –probably $30 each– but i haven’t had a flat in 10 years. hopefully they make them for your bike’s wheel size.

By: Rollo

Rollo — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:40:56 +0000

That’s right Mr Salmon – what a great citizen you must be, complying with the way it is as imposed by the thoughtless some time ago.

Good that you ridicule the thoughtless here and suggest there should be change.

But hej I’ve found you’ve just got to do it!

Ride into the lift, have facilities management move that filing system from behind your desk and make way for your bike!
$2 parking down the road is not good enough – it should be in your basement, free. And there ought to be showers etc. for you to use in the building if you ride that far. Canvas everyone, make sure your business and others in the building make it a tenancy condition next round – this market is a great time to get those changes enforced by building owners as they beg for you to stay on.

And for your safety, ride in the middle of the road, drivers side – be seen, be predictable & dominate the situation.

By: RideTHISbike.com

RideTHISbike.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:24:48 +0000

Unless you really don’t like the DX for some reason, just plunk down $100 for the Montague carry bag. The bag is well designed with an internal pocket for the front wheel. Also, the shoulder strap for the bag attaches to the bike, preventing the bike’s weight from tearing a hole in the bottom of the bag.

By: q

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:20:53 +0000

pedal without a cause

By: DavidL

DavidL — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:48:23 +0000

Felix:
In Japan (where I commute by bicycle in Tokyo) you cannot take a bike on the train unless it is in a bag — bike shops sell lightweight nylon bags that you can roll up and store in a water bottle holder on a road bike frame. If you had one of those (or something like it–get someone with a sewing machine and some material to make you one out of two pieces of nylon, with a draw string), it would take you about 5 seconds to slip your folding bike in or out. Or you could just buy some extra large trash bags. Don’t give up!
Best,
David L.

By: q

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:18:42 +0000

bicycles have systemic risk
four wheels good, two wheels bad

By: mattmc

mattmc — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:16:26 +0000

What’s up with those rules anyway? I’ve never understood the prevalence of anti-bike storage rules. They are EVERYWHERE, even in apartments I’ve had. They claim it’s a fire hazard but I think it has more to do with muddy tires and other aesthetic concerns. How many people have ever died in a fire because they tripped over a bicycle? Aren’t there any number of other wheeled conveyances in your typical office (carts, dolleys, etc)?

By: Herb

Herb — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:33:47 +0000

Another point in Dahon’s favor is that they make a nylon carrying bag which can be folded up when you’re riding.