Author Topic: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!  (Read 7322 times)

Heckler

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So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« on: August 16, 2015, 10:47:59 AM »
Too fucked up, I won't link to their website. 

http://youtu.be/CmVdk5XHXRQ

Heckler

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2015, 10:51:11 AM »
And in related news...  The world is melting.

http://youtu.be/hC3VTgIPoGU

vhalros

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2015, 10:56:59 AM »
Making this even more ironic, for those not familar with the area, their proposed route nearly parallels an existing bike path.

sol

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2015, 11:01:48 AM »
I shared this piece of amazing piece of news with my wife.  She apparently thinks it's a great idea to have people ride stationary bikes while riding a bus to work.

She thinks it's safer than riding in traffic, and a better option that sitting on your fat ass for people who would otherwise just be riding the bus and getting no exercise.  Maybe think of it as a step in the right direction?


Heckler

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2015, 11:14:41 AM »
.  Maybe think of it as a step in the right direction?

If these "riders" are getting out of their cars and onto the bus, then I agree that's it's a step forward in preventing the second video continuing to happen.  However, five steps back on their bank accounts. 

Ride a bike FFS!

forummm

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2015, 11:16:00 AM »
That's so America. Like driving to the gym.

vhalros

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2015, 07:43:19 PM »
.  Maybe think of it as a step in the right direction?

If these "riders" are getting out of their cars and onto the bus, then I agree that's it's a step forward in preventing the second video continuing to happen.  However, five steps back on their bank accounts. 

Ride a bike FFS!

Actually, the proposed route from West Newton Commuter Rail Station to South Station; the commuter rail train connects the same locations and is actually faster. There is also a subway stop about a mile away from the starting station, that also goes very close to South Station. If this bus which holds perhaps eight people replaces a train trip, its probably a net loss for the environment.

As I mentioned before, the Charles River Bike path also goes nearly the same way, gives you a nice scenic, car free ride by the river for most of the trip, and wouldn't even take much longer compared to rush hour traffic, especially considering you can bike directly from your point of origin to your destination. There is even ever improving bicycle infrastructure for a faster, more direct route if you preferred that.

So, this is even more ridiculous than may be obvious. Although I guess if you look at replacing the commuter rail tickets with this, the financial picture look marginally better. A monthly pass is $198.00, or 6.25/ride. Using the subway would cost $75/month or $2/ride.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2015, 07:49:34 PM by vhalros »

Heckler

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2015, 07:49:20 PM »
yeah, OK, it's ridiculous.

Syonyk

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2015, 08:45:48 PM »
... please tell me they're harvesting the energy of the cyclists to move the bus? :/

Though I see no way a few people spinning can power a bus. :(

penguinpace

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2015, 11:03:25 PM »
My city does have some actual pedal-powered buses for the tourists to ride around in and shout drunkenly from, and for a moment I thought that's what this was. Upon realizing the reality I could only hold my head in my hands and sigh.

FiveSigmas

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2015, 11:40:14 PM »
That's so America. Like driving to the gym.

On that note...

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/antimustachian-wall-of-shame-and-comedy/old-one-but-instant-classic-fitness-enthusiasts/

Link in post above seems to have disappeared, so here's a copy:



I can't be too snarky, though -- I do frequently use a stationary bike for exercise. :-/

patrickza

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2015, 12:36:39 AM »
I wonder if they couldn't make the bus a pedal electric hybrid. All the cycling charges the battery, possibly with solar on the roof to help out too. Obviously it would have to be a far lighter bus!
« Last Edit: August 17, 2015, 12:38:18 AM by patrickza »

NoraLenderbee

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2015, 08:49:16 PM »
When I had a 1-hour-plus train commute (each way), I wished that the train had exercise bikes so I could at least get a workout during this otherwise totally wasted time.

Zikoris

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #13 on: August 18, 2015, 10:37:38 AM »
There's an actual bicycle powered bus that I see around Vancouver sometimes. It's pink and has a bunch of people pedal it.

Though it would be hard to top this thing I saw in Budapest:


taekvideo

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #14 on: August 18, 2015, 12:10:24 PM »
I'm just... mind blown.

At least the only comment on YouTube points out the obvious though lol

AH013

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #15 on: August 18, 2015, 05:45:00 PM »
... please tell me they're harvesting the energy of the cyclists to move the bus? :/

Though I see no way a few people spinning can power a bus. :(

What energy of the cyclists?  Did you see anyone actually sweating in that video?  This is the planet fitness equivalent of exercise.  One way a day sit on a stationary bike for 45 minutes while pedaling in the lowest gear possible which wouldn't advance you a mile in 45 minutes, and tell people you "bike about an hour to work everyday".

cerebus

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #16 on: August 19, 2015, 02:13:51 AM »
The bicycle has officially transitioned from being a mode of transport to a fitness device and yuppie accessory.

Syonyk

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2015, 11:51:18 AM »
The bicycle has officially transitioned from being a mode of transport to a fitness device and yuppie accessory.

That happened a long time ago...

People look at you funny when you talk about commuting on bicycle.  Even if it's an ebike.

cerebus

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #18 on: August 19, 2015, 12:15:13 PM »

The bicycle has officially transitioned from being a mode of transport to a fitness device and yuppie accessory.

That happened a long time ago...

People look at you funny when you talk about commuting on bicycle.  Even if it's an ebike.

Someone should put a treadmill on a Segway.


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Syonyk

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #19 on: August 19, 2015, 12:20:38 PM »
Electric treadmill bike, maybe?

http://lopifit.com/

vhalros

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #20 on: August 19, 2015, 03:43:50 PM »
The bicycle has officially transitioned from being a mode of transport to a fitness device and yuppie accessory.

That happened a long time ago...

People look at you funny when you talk about commuting on bicycle.  Even if it's an ebike.

It's actually pretty normal to do here (Greater Boston). 7% of people commuted by bicycle in Cambridge last year, and it seems to be higher; not a huge percent but it is definitely noticeable on the roads. My boss bicycles to work outside of winter, so do half my co-workers. Which makes it even funnier that the bicycle bus came to this place of all places. Boston itself is a little worse than some of its suburbs though, in this regard.

The Guru

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #21 on: August 20, 2015, 07:00:59 PM »
There's an actual bicycle powered bus that I see around Vancouver sometimes. It's pink and has a bunch of people pedal it.

Though it would be hard to top this thing I saw in Budapest:



One question: who's steering?

FiveSigmas

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #22 on: August 20, 2015, 08:32:59 PM »
One question: who's steering?

The guy in the blue/purple on the right, I believe.

FWIW, they have these wandering around some neighborhoods in Seattle, too. I think the whole contraption only travels at around 5 mph or so.

Zikoris

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #23 on: August 20, 2015, 08:35:07 PM »
Yeah, there's a driver. It would be hilarious if drunk people were steering the thing around though.

The Guru

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Re: So, you can finally now ride a bike on your commute!
« Reply #24 on: August 25, 2015, 07:33:51 PM »
Yeah, there's a driver. It would be hilarious if drunk people were steering the thing around though.

What a relief. I envisioned half the drunks pedaling one direction, half pedaling the other while making big lazy circles and commenting how all the architecture looks the same.