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Forms of Alternative Transportation to Work?
puargsss asks: "For many people a bicycle is not a viable form of transportation to work due to lack of storage space. Are there any products out there suitable for transportation to a working environment (the ability to store them inside is essential), or a detachable/retractable set of wheels similar to heelys that are built for a working environment? I normally rollerblade for sport/exercise, but it is fairly unprofessional to show up in my workplace with the rather large and clunky traditional equipment. Any ideas?"
I pretty much had the same situation, and I have a nice bike. So I built something for inside my cube. Details: http://berserk.org/cbr/ Hope this helps.
For years my grandad swore by his foldable bike. It folds in half and fits in the back of a car. No reason you couldn't get one of them.
Or as you said roller blades, they'll do the job just fine.
I like muppets.
"I normally rollerblade for sport/exercise, but it is fairly unprofessional to show up in my workplace with the rather large and clunky traditional equipment."
If this is your excuse for not rollerblading, you're not likely to like anything anyone here has to pitch.
But honestly I think the problem is all in your head. I think if you had a backpack and stowed all your gear in the pack before walking in the door nobody could possibly object.
Agreed, that's why you should shower once you arrive and change into a new set of clothes which you brought with you to work.
I have the good fortune to work in an office attached to a factory, which for OSHA reasons needs an emergency shower. I shower off, change into dress pants, shirt, and tie, then go sit in my "open concept" office all day.
The only exercise I get in an average week is the bike ride to work to and from work, which is about an hour a day. I just can't describe to you the total feeling of power and control that is possible after having biked to work. Driving a shiny metal box to work and drinking coffee afterwards just does not compare.
Besides, I have to admit that I am actually treated better by my bosses and co-workers. Because I bike, they have come to consider me the healthy, awake and alive, mover and shaker in the office. It gives me credibility that my fatter SUV-driving co-workers can't buy for themselves.
So, returning to the issue at hand: How can our "Ask Slashdot" poster get to work? My answer (sorry) is to cycle there. If there is no where to park at your office, that's fine. Find a place within a 5-10 minute walk that you can park and shower at and change there.
Ignore what you think the fat, ignorant sheep that make up the bulk of the population think. Lead by example. Show that you can exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and save the planet all in one fell swoop.
Incidentally, all that advice that comes out of California doesn't work for the rest of the world. These people ask: "Why not bike everyday to work?" Well, for people like me at 42 degrees North latitude, late fall / all winter / early spring have two distinct problems:
- It's pitch black during the morning and evening commutes
- It's cold outside, with snow on the ground
I'm sorry, but when my body starts to freeze to a block of solid ice while cycling, it's time to put the bike away.And finally, to all you bicycle riders out there, a reminder: You are a vehicle on the road. Follow the rules of the road. Drive with traffic. Signal when you turn. Take an entire lane when you need it, and when you don't let others pass. If you do this, motorists won't go to pieces when they pass you, even if they don't want you on the road.
The only roads where it's illegal to ride a bike are limited-access highways that are posted as prohibiting bicycles.
Otherwise, it's not illegal, and it's just about as dangerous as driving a car on the same roads.
Plan your route to stay on back roads with speed limits of 35 or less (occasionally up to 45, but try to avoid these if possible). When riding on roads without dedicated bicycle lanes, you should tend to ride in the middle of the lane, to discourage cars from trying to share the lane with you. You may wish to move over and allow cars to pass when it is safe for you to do so (wide shoulder, middle turning lane, etc.). You should be able to sustain a pace of 20mph or faster, you should have high visibility lighting (not just reflectors) in the front and back of your bike, and your clothing/pack should be made from brightly colored fabric with reflective material for additional visibility.
But most of that is just common sense.
Regards,
Ross