Slashdot Mirror
Toys for Transport?
EvilCabbage asks: "Let's imagine I have a distance to travel to get to my office. Much of this is done on a train line, but there is a distance of around 10klm (aprox 6.2miles) from my home to this train station. A little too far to walk, but not quite far enough to justify use of my car every day. Fortunately, the Segway isn't on my shopping list. I'm wondering what parambulating devices are available to make this journey a little easier, without turning the key in my car. Bicycles are generally too large to carry on the train, and couldn't be left in my office all day. I've seen some scooters that fold to rather small sizes (perfect for lugging to the office and back), but are these things still for kids? What small urban transport devices are fellow Slashdot readers using (assuming we are still going outside)? What can you recommend and what won't cost me an arm and a leg to run?"
You want a
Brompton Bicycle (Bromptonbicycle.co.uk).
Ride to station, fold it up, ride to work, stash it under your desk. Sorted.
Especially if you've got some rough terrain to traverse, unicycles seem to be your best bet. Small, lightweight and rugged.
Sure, your first day's commute to the train would take 8 hours, and end with you throwing your unicycle 8 feet up the road, dragging your bruised and bloody carcass up to it, giving it a swift kick, picking it up and throwing it again, but that's what learning how to ride a unicycle is all about.
Disclaimer: There is no way in hell I would ever try this.
Karma: Marginal (mostly due to the border around the website)
If you're worried about the security of a bicycle, get a pair of rollerblades (inline skates) and stuff them in a backpack when you get to the train. I find they work just as well as a bike, except when going downhill and trying to stop. If the terrain is not very hilly then they're ideal.