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Forms of Alternative Transportation to Work?

Posted by Cliff on from the better-than-a-bicycle dept.

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?"

9 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Your feet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not too clunky, and you can take them inside with you.

  2. it's not a lack of storage space by Bill+Dog · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's that I'd have to ride on busy streets to get there, and I'm too young to die (or worse).

    --
    Attention zealots and haters: 00100 00100
  3. Xootr Scooter by VermifugeRT · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I know this is SO 2001 but the scooter has really been a life saver for me. I was never happy with the cheap $50 scooters you can pick up at the local Toy Mega Stores so I did a little research and found the Xootr Scooter.

    They are a little expensive starting at $150. But you will find the construction to be far superior to any razor scooter with its sturdy frame and large 7" (180mm) wheels. It cruises like nothing else. Taking very little effort to gain and maintain momentum.

    I opted for the Xootr Mg ($189) with a solid magnesium deck. It comes in under 10 lbs and is east to fold and carry. Fits nice under my desk at work and take up very little space in my home. Pick up the shoulder strap to make transportation even easier on crowded streets or into your place of business.

  4. As a bicycle commuter... by Otter · · Score: 4, Insightful
    ...my advice is to buy a junker bike, lock it outside, and if it gets rusty or vandalized, so be it. Maybe there's something I'm not getting (please explain if that's so) but I can't imagine a workplace where there's _nothing_ to chain a bike to.

    The only such situation I can imagine is where you ride so far that you need a good road bike that you can't leave locked to a parking meter. But if that's so, wheelie shoes are hardly a workable alternative.

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  5. Unprofessional? by Seumas · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So showing up to work in a giant 4,000lb gas guzzling, exhaust spewing, parking-space using hung of metal is professional, but a pair of wheels on your feet is not?

    This makes about as much sense as those people who judge employees based on whether or not they're married and have kids.

    Get to work however the hell you want. If your boss somehow insists that you use one method over another, the fat fucker can pay for it.

  6. Cubicle Bike Rack by cmallory.berserk.org · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

  7. Folding bikes by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.
  8. Cycling is quite safe by driptray · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's that I'd have to ride on busy streets to get there, and I'm too young to die (or worse).

    You might be surprised to find that cycling is no more dangerous than driving.

    Follow that link. It leads to a "cycling safety perception" quiz, with some pretty surprising answers.

    1. Re:Cycling is quite safe by rossifer · · Score: 4, Informative

      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