tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76828999868570409012024-03-12T23:59:20.066-05:00ChicargobikeChicargobike: Family and kid bike transportation in ChicagoChicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-68656472879727135552023-12-27T21:56:00.017-06:002023-12-27T22:34:48.112-06:00Our Favorite Posts (as of 2024)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDVAayvKUataNQiViQHyP2AqFeNzetTsJv5vU7sQOoJEz7McQylgOcRIk9JivJNiq6Ezotue628jFFI_KDi4ZjYCIz2aIIUwN_MfZARbKdspAN3B1-ipRMCXp5Yd6ubhZO8-6CZ4oHw4rrK9IoFra_LgVkBh9uMSj3afZRFBzJpb9r4X8pJ7q2GO4wYhE/s1280/Electric%20Atlas%20-%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDVAayvKUataNQiViQHyP2AqFeNzetTsJv5vU7sQOoJEz7McQylgOcRIk9JivJNiq6Ezotue628jFFI_KDi4ZjYCIz2aIIUwN_MfZARbKdspAN3B1-ipRMCXp5Yd6ubhZO8-6CZ4oHw4rrK9IoFra_LgVkBh9uMSj3afZRFBzJpb9r4X8pJ7q2GO4wYhE/w640-h216/Electric%20Atlas%20-%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We haven't really posted on this blog since about 2015 - that's NINE years ago! - so a lot of the products and shops have changed, but there is still a lot of good information here. Look through the links to see everything, but this is a list of some of the posts that still seem useful and less dated. <p></p><p>We still ride bikes. Our kids grew up and they ride bikes, work with bikes, bikes bikes bikes. But as we got older and more withered, we began to be more wary of the generally unsafe layout of Chicago streets, and of the maybe more aggressive post pandemic driving habits a lot of people developed. This blog overall viewed things in a more rosy light than we would probably shine on city biking today. So please, have a look, maybe learn from our experiences, but be careful with your kids and yourself and choose your routes carefully... There is a lot more in the blog, and we will try to update this page too.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Our Favorites</u></b></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/05/youre-not-too-heavy-to-ride-bike.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">You're Not Too Heavy to Ride a Bike!</a></span></h3><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2010/10/keeping-kids-comfortable-riding-in-fall.html" target="_blank">Keeping kids comfortable riding in Fall<br /></a></h3></div><div></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/03/blinky-blinky-little-star-kids-bike.html" target="_blank">Blinky Blinky Little Star - Kids' Bike Lighting</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-more-big-key-chain-for-you-create.html" target="_blank">No more big key chain for you - create a single key family bike lock system</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/09/look-out-for-sucker-poles.html" target="_blank">Look out for Sucker Poles!</a></h3><div></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/02/making-trailer-out-of-junk-parts-to.html" target="_blank">Making a Trailer out of Junk Parts to Carry your Kids' Bikes</a></h3><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/04/stvzo-german-bicycle-requirements-make.html" target="_blank">StVZO? German Bicycle Requirements Make Sense</a></h3></div><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/04/look-for-kids-bike-built-for.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Look for a Kid's Bike Built for Transportation this Spring</a></span></h3></div><div><br /></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank">About Cargobikes</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/trying-out-cargo-trikes.html" target="_blank">Trying out Cargo Trikes</a></h3><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/05/tandems-might-be-perfect-for-you.html" target="_blank">Tandems Might Be Perfect For You</a></h3></div><div></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/01/make-your-own-balance-bike.html" target="_blank">Make your own Balance Bike</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/03/carry-your-kid-on-your-old-schwinn-etc.html" target="_blank">Carry your kid on your old Schwinn, etc.</a></h3><div></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/01/carrying-kids-on-folding-bikes.html" target="_blank">Carrying Kids on Folding Bikes</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-on-folding-bikes.html" target="_blank">More on Folding Bikes</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/dutch-bikes-build-em-yourself-take-2_05.html" target="_blank">"Dutch" Bikes - build 'em yourself</a> </h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-classic-loop-frame-roadster.html" target="_blank">A Classic Loop Frame Roadster</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/03/toms-cargo-bikes-another-option.html" target="_blank">Tom's Cargo Bikes — another option!</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2010/11/dynamo-generator-lighting-primer.html" target="_blank">Dynamo (generator) lighting primer</a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/09/led-headlight-comparison.html" target="_blank">LED Headlight Comparison</a></h3><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/11/buying-bike-for-your-child.html" target="_blank">Buying a bike for your child</a></h3></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Fun stuff</u></b></div><div><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 22px;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/ask-not-for-whom-prolerizer-tolls.html" target="_blank">Ask Not for Whom the Prolerizer Tolls</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Kids and riding with kids and teaching kids, with bikes</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #0000ee; font-size: 22px;"><a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/03/teaching-children-about-dooring.html" target="_blank">Teaching Children About Dooring</a></span><div><span face="Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif" style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span><div><b><u>Biking in other places</u></b></div><div><br /></div></div>Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-12998086155841834782022-06-12T22:12:00.001-05:002022-06-12T22:12:40.180-05:002022 Disaster. Don’t trust Chicago’s lanes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU5qkpVRAhewXq_kxOCD5si8an6wD9RgJKv7M9E1gPQL7M8vJuQYzDuXoUWo8ShLdzSuhOTyAGjhC8fZNBGtY0yUNiU4rD4Fu-HDEhryJIsojFPNZ_UEtrq3Ob51uJed7O1Eq3PZV4M5eabiZP09_2RkBl-llkol695ds8ElT_oO13N5oCFaDE55qEw/s2048/stop%20-%201.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU5qkpVRAhewXq_kxOCD5si8an6wD9RgJKv7M9E1gPQL7M8vJuQYzDuXoUWo8ShLdzSuhOTyAGjhC8fZNBGtY0yUNiU4rD4Fu-HDEhryJIsojFPNZ_UEtrq3Ob51uJed7O1Eq3PZV4M5eabiZP09_2RkBl-llkol695ds8ElT_oO13N5oCFaDE55qEw/s320/stop%20-%201.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Most of Chicargobike’s information is now years old. It still holds up pretty well, most of it, but we haven't been adding to it or editing it. Most of us aren't riding bikes as much, anymore, either. We needed to get to places much further away, faster, and the kids got too big to schlep on a parent's bike. We are still riding, some of us more than others, and of course the kids are big and independent. Some of us have ended up at Stroger Trauma with serious injuries more than once after cars broke the law. We are still bike people, I guess. But we often use a car now. <p></p><p>We stopped actively writing in 2015 for many reasons. The main reason, though, was that we didn't feel comfortable encouraging other families in Chicago to get out onto the street with their kids anymore. It seemed too dangerous. It also seemed too unfriendly to advise against it. </p><p>At the time we stopped adding to this blog, CDOT and the city were well along putting in 'protected' lanes. We actively participated in the planning process but the 'protection' when the lanes were done was not what we had <a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-makes-bike-lane-good.html">hoped </a>and <a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/05/chicagos-streets-for-cycling-bicycle.html">pressed</a> for, and in the end it was not very safe. Only in a few places, to separate us bikers and our kids from the usual speeding vehicles and late commuters, has concrete been used. Mostly the city still installs plastic bollards that started to be plowed down as soon as the first rush hour starts or painted lanes. Look at the entire right hand lane of the westbound Roosevelt Road bridge from the South Loop, for example. Within a week it was back the way it started. The whole right lane was (and still is?) designated as a bike lane. It just isn't one. </p><p>Amsterdam, the constantly cited model bike city, separates bike traffic from motorized traffic on a largely separated road system. <a href="https://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/another-postcard-from-nyc.html">New York City put in concrete barriers</a> on many of its lanes, or moved parking into the street and allowed the bike lane to run between parked cars and the sidewalk. In Chicago, this approach worked OK in the few places like Lasalle downtown where it was separated by a concrete curb, but areas without the concrete barriers, like Lake Street, just became another 'express' lane for people in a hurry to drive their car past the traffic on the right. CDOT also added a designation for quieter streets with lower speed limits and speed bumps that were not protected by concrete or bollards, just painted "sharrows". The city of Chicago changed the international designation of 'protected' (which means concrete) to include paint and plastic. </p><p><br /></p><p>Now, this week, the worst fears of anyone who has taken their kids on these 'safe' bike lanes have been realized. From reading the news, it seems that a family of three riding on a designated low-traffic street with an official bike lane were moving past a utility truck parked in their bike lane, and a semi-trailer truck that probably shouldn't be on a traffic reduced street anyway apparently ran over the mom's bike, killing the toddler on the back. The mom and dad did nothing wrong. But it is not the semi truck driver's child or the child of the bike lane blocking utility truck driver who was lost. We can't imagine the grief.</p><p>Streets that allow kids on bikes and also allow semi trucks are badly planned streets. Bike lanes and city offices that promise safety but don't actually offer it are fraudulent shams. Laws that prohibit blocking a bike lane but that aren't strictly enforced are window dressing. And selling an insufficient scattershot bike lane system as a solution to Chicago residents who need to get around the city in a time of $5 gas is unjustifiable. </p><p>From reading the news, we think the two truck drivers, their companies that apparently permit unsafe practices, and CDOT and the city are all responsible for this disaster. It is not at all the fault of the family who were falsely reassured by promises of safety. </p><p>Until the concrete infrastructure and the will to make change at the highest levels of planning are there to make bike transportation in the city truly safe, is it safe to family ride in Chicago? There it is. Sorry. We applaud the "Walk and Roll for Safe Streets” event organized by <a href="https://www.betterstreetschicago.org">Better Streets Chicago</a> and <a href="http://www.chicagofamilybiking.org">Chicago Family Biking</a>. We also support the work of <a href="https://activetrans.org">Active Transportation Alliance</a> in combination with Better Streets Chicago and especially <a href="https://www.bikelaneuprising.com">Bike Lane Uprising</a> who have all been raising voices for better lanes long before this awful month. </p><p><br /></p>Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-6667766688372343272015-11-22T21:21:00.000-06:002015-11-22T21:42:33.946-06:00Bike Store Changes in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvk-PAy0zZJdA-BDK4prybJlKttY1hoZByXFXQDPsXK3Dx5gqAbTrs50CNPDGcRMnVGIvaZDcHmxYfds6xT5O4VOUf4r_TKnY5Al25cQR-6vO8NAgQLrNXgtyKEDwVBwGWOxpO-EJfenz/s1600/onderwater+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvk-PAy0zZJdA-BDK4prybJlKttY1hoZByXFXQDPsXK3Dx5gqAbTrs50CNPDGcRMnVGIvaZDcHmxYfds6xT5O4VOUf4r_TKnY5Al25cQR-6vO8NAgQLrNXgtyKEDwVBwGWOxpO-EJfenz/s640/onderwater+-+1.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.jclindbikes.com/" target="_blank">J C Lind Bikes </a>in Old Town, the cargo bike and Dutch bike specialist, let us know that they will have at least one Onderwater family tandem in the shop soon to try out before you and your kid(s) fall in love with it and buy it. See <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/05/tandems-might-be-perfect-for-you.html" target="_blank">our tandem page</a> about it, possibly the best kid and parent bike ever. That's 4 of us on one in the picture. Maybe you can still get an order in fast if you call now.<br />
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And <a href="http://www.rapidtransitcycles.com/" target="_blank">Rapid Transit Cycleshop</a>, a 21 year veteran of the Chicago bike scene and good place for recumbents and folding bikes but not cargo bikes, is closing its doors. You still have a couple of weeks, probably, to get a deal on their inventory or get a last minute repair, but only at their North Avenue and Wolcott branch. The one on Halsted and roughly Maxwell is already closed. Last chance for Brompton or tadpole parts! </div>
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<a href="http://comradecycles.com/" target="_blank">Comrade Cycles</a> still stocks Brompton, and you can find parts they might not have from Harris Cyclery in Newton, MA. Check out the Pere/ItChair, still only (as far as we can tell) available from <a href="http://www.milianparts.com/en/products/pere/" target="_blank">Milian Parts</a>, the manufacturer, in Catalonia. </div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-35118677987747599262015-11-11T18:28:00.002-06:002015-11-11T18:28:17.290-06:00Heavy Riders on Bike Share Bikes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG6d0IkLmtvIIKJIeT-BfVzNmhf2_rPCEBcJPf03DsoqcIeSxmcki18gIQKDwrYVwPVBVqqUCKW8dpNjSbNAz-NHslR1L6YgjkbTs5c9L9xYwbb8o5y4yqMXSEFY5pB8slCitsZ6P92lw/s1600/bublr+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG6d0IkLmtvIIKJIeT-BfVzNmhf2_rPCEBcJPf03DsoqcIeSxmcki18gIQKDwrYVwPVBVqqUCKW8dpNjSbNAz-NHslR1L6YgjkbTs5c9L9xYwbb8o5y4yqMXSEFY5pB8slCitsZ6P92lw/s640/bublr+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bublr Bike Share in Milwaukee has no weight limit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We used to think the <a href="http://www.divvybikes.com/">Divvy bike sharing program in Chicago</a> was a good option for anybody, including heavy people, who wanted to ride a bit without making a huge commitment to purchase, storage and maintenance of a bike of their own. And it is - but there's a potential risk you should be aware of if you weigh more than 260 lbs fully dressed. Oddly, the same issue affects some other bike sharing programs worldwide while many others are not affected at all.<br /> <br />A few bike shares are listed in this blog, but not all of them!<br /><a href="http://bikeshare.com/map/">Here is a list and map</a> of bike sharing sites around the country and the world.</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Many bike share systems enforce a weight limit:</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chicago's <a href="http://www.divvybikes.com/">Divvy</a> officially limits rider weight to 260 lbs with 17 lbs cargo in the rack. We called Divvy about it and they admitted the bikes can hold 'a whole lot' -- but there in the contract it says 260 lbs. Probably, realistically, even the Divvy people seem to admit that there is not much of an actual technical problem with higher weights (look at their sturdy bikes!) but it would violate the contract and certainly lead to liability if there were any issue.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You must not exceed the maximum weight limit for the Divvy bicycle (260 pounds) or the cargo carrier (17 pounds), and You (sic) must not otherwise use the cargo carrier improperly with regard to type of contents or any visual obstruction or riding impediment." <a href="https://www.divvybikes.com/user-agreement#section_five">(user agreement)</a></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJkVp8E01xAELVvWLhokosgFiUhYyhy6-s64OjFQP7xunKZUlzpxf9UEp2YywqCTNM_Tiep9katHVPm_Q1KitHjwkEXyq7mTtKJfLfClPFp96rCF2lhttCDHfOdP905AoGOTJnoClq2U5/s1600/hubway+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJkVp8E01xAELVvWLhokosgFiUhYyhy6-s64OjFQP7xunKZUlzpxf9UEp2YywqCTNM_Tiep9katHVPm_Q1KitHjwkEXyq7mTtKJfLfClPFp96rCF2lhttCDHfOdP905AoGOTJnoClq2U5/s400/hubway+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston's Hubway, like Divvy, limits riders to 260 lbs.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I looked into similar bike share programs.<br /><br /> The same 260 pound weight limit was criticized in the<a href="http://nypost.com/2013/05/02/new-york-city-bike-share-program-bans-riders-who-weigh-more-than-260-pounds/"> New York Post</a> among others in 2013 when New York City started its <a href="http://www.citibikenyc.com/">Citi Bike</a> sharing program. In the end, the Department of Transportation said they wouldn't enforce it strictly, but it remains in their terms and conditions (see below) to limit the program's liability.<br /><br /> Most other programs that are run by <a href="http://www.motivateco.com/">Motivate</a> (formerly known as Alta Bike Share)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, as Divvy and Citi Bike are,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and that use the bikes from <a href="http://www.publicbikesystem.com/home/">PBSC Urban Solutions Inc</a> (Public Bike System) also have similar contractual restrictions</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, while other providers don't. Why would some programs limit rider weight while others don't? Motivate's programs include:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bayareabikeshare.com/">Bay Area Bike Share (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.bayareabikeshare.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thehubway.com/">Boston Hubway (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.thehubway.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bikechattanooga.com/">Bike Chattanooga (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.bikechattanooga.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.divvybikes.com/">Chicago (Divvy) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.divvybikes.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cogobikeshare.com/">Columbus, OH (CoGo) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.cogobikeshare.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles">London, UK (Santander Cycles)</a> (115 Kg), (<a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/terms-and-conditions/santander-cycles">terms</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/">Melbourne (Australia) Bike Share (120 Kg)</a> (<a href="https://secure.melbournebikeshare.com.au/subscription">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.niceridemn.org/">Minneapolis (Nice Ride MN) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://secure.niceridemn.org/register/step1?edPurchaseId=56080c0f127e0">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://montreal.bixi.com/">Montreal (Bixi) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://montreal.bixi.com/frequently-asked-questions">FAQ</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://citibikenyc.com/">New York (CitiBike) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="https://www.citibikenyc.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Seattle (Pronto!) (260 lb), </a>(<a href="http://www.prontocycleshare.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bikesharetoronto.com/">Bike Share Toronto (117Kg)</a> (<a href="https://www.bikesharetoronto.com/user-agreement">terms</a>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/">Capital Bikeshare (Washington, DC area) (260 lb)</a> (<a href="http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/user-agreement">terms</a>)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They all seem to contractually limit weight to 260 lbs, or its equivalent 115-120 Kg, which is no surprise since the manufacturer apparently warrants the bikes only to that load.<br /><br />A few PBSC or Motivate sites have no apparent limit, though they appear to use the same bikes:</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<li><a href="https://www.we-cycle.org/">Aspen, CO WE-cycle (no limit online)</a> (<a href="https://www.we-cycle.org/includes/user_agreement">terms</a>),</li>
<li><a href="http://mibici.net/">Guadalajara, Jalisco (MiBici) (no limit, 1 person)</a> (<a href="https://mibici.net/terminos.html">terms</a>),</li>
<li><a href="http://www.stonybrook.edu/sustainability/biking-at-stony-brook/wolf-ride-bike-share.shtml">Stony Brook University, NY (Wolf Ride) (limit not online)</a>,</li>
<li><a href="http://greenbike.wsu.edu/">Green Bike (Washington State Univ, limit not online)</a></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Ireland's CocaCola Zero Bikes in Galway, Limerick and Cork are not Motivate brand, but also limit to 175 lbs/125 Kg. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(The CocaCola bikes in Belfast (Northern Ireland) are part of the Nextbike system and don't.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many many other sites worldwide have no weight limit: </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Trek's B-Cycle has many sites in North America, apparently without contractual weight limits (the contract comes after the website privacy policy on these sites):</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<li>Des Moines IA <a href="http://desmoines.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Omaha, NE <a href="http://heartland.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">Heartland B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Kansas City MO <a href="http://kc.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">Kansas City B-cycle</a></li>
<li>Madison WI <a href="http://madison.bcycle.com/">B-cycle</a></li>
<li>Milwaukee WI <a href="http://bublrbikes.com/">Bublr Bikes</a></li>
<li>Fargo, ND <a href="http://greatrides.bcycle.com/">Great Rides Bike Share</a></li>
<li>Ann Arbor MI <a href="http://arborbike.org/" target="_blank">ArborBike </a></li>
<li>Battle Creek MI <a href="http://battlecreek.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Indianapolis <a href="http://pacersbikeshare.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Pacers Bikeshare</a></li>
<li>Philadelphia PA <a href="http://www.rideindego.com/">Indego</a> (<a href="http://www.rideindego.com/user-agreement/">terms</a>)</li>
<li>Cincinnati OH <a href="http://cincyredbike.org/" target="_blank">Cincy Red Bike </a></li>
<li>Dayton OH <a href="http://nk Dayton Bike Share www.linkdayton.org" target="_blank">Link</a></li>
<li>Nashville TN <a href="http://nashville.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Greenville SC <a href="http://greenville.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle</a></li>
<li>Spartanburg, SC <a href="http://spartanburg.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">BCycle </a></li>
<li>Charlotte, NC <a href="http://charlotte.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Columbia County (Evans GA) <a href="http://columbiacounty.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Savannah GA <a href="http://catbike.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">CATbike</a></li>
<li>Broward County FL <a href="http://broward.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle</a></li>
<li>Boulder CO <a href="https://boulder.bcycle.com/">BCycle</a></li>
<li>Denver CO <a href="http://denver.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Salt Lake City UT <a href="http://www.greenbikeslc.org/" target="_blank">GREENbike </a></li>
<li>El Paso TX <a href="http://elpaso.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-Cycle</a></li>
<li>Fort Worth TX <a href="http://fortworth.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">Fort Worth Bike Sharing</a></li>
<li>Austin TX <a href="http://austinbcycle.com/" target="_blank">Austin B-cycle</a></li>
<li>San Antonio TX <a href="http://sanantonio.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle </a></li>
<li>Houston TX <a href="http://houston.bcycle.com/" target="_blank">B-cycle</a></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The <a href="http://www.nextbike.net/">Nextbike</a> system does not list a limit in any of the terms and conditions I've reviewed, and is used in</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://skybikewpb.com/">West Palm Beach Florida</a>,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://hudsonbikeshare.com/">Hoboken, NJ</a>,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://healthyridepgh.com/">Pittsburgh Healthy Ride</a> (<a href="https://healthyridepgh.com/terms-and-conditions/">terms</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bikesharehawaii.org/">Honolulu Hawaii (starts 2016)</a></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span><a href="http://www.nextbike.de/en/locations/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">about 125 other places</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> throughout Germany, other parts of Europe, and worldwide.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was not able to find any limit for Paris, France's <a href="http://www.velib.paris/">Velib bikes</a>.<br /> <br />The <a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/">CallABike</a> system used by the German railways limits items carried to 20 kg but has no apparent limit for the rider. This system is not active in the USA but encompasses bike share programs in Germany:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=887&f=500">Baden-Baden</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=889&f=500">Berlin</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=880&f=500">Darmstadt</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=396&f=500">Frankfurt am Main</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=861&f=500">Frankfurt am Main Airport</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=445&f=500">Hamburg (StadtRAD)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=688&f=500">Kassel (Konrad)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=885&f=500">Kiel (campusrad)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=395&f=500">Köln</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=863&f=500">Lüneburg (StadtRAD)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=878&f=500">Marburg</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=397&f=500">München</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=877&f=500">Rüsselsheim</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=398&f=500">Stuttgart</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=875&f=500">Wiesbaden</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and other <a href="https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/index.php?id=399&f=500">ICE-Bahnhöfe</a>/train stations</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Summary</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In general, it seems unlikely to us that any of these heavy duty bikes can be damaged by a heavy rider. But our opinion is not important -- look carefully at the user agreements and terms and conditions if you plan to ride while weighing over 260 pounds, and be ready to accept full liability for any problems if you weigh more!<br /><br />If you do weigh more, we have a <a href="http://www.chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/05/youre-not-too-heavy-to-ride-bike.html" target="_blank">post on bikes for heavy riders</a> on this blog.<br /><br />See you out there. </span></div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-9120446209294610842015-09-26T15:15:00.000-05:002015-09-26T15:15:57.336-05:00Perfect City Bike Tour Weather<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqouanQTArZyk8coFus5KNzX-iCJxK8seJnUJImb0CGu4sebjU06H1ndVcgdUy9c-Ap52HmvptxeYUkR_U2oz_V9CtOYLGiFIpji1qgWXbsJUtuwknR1-d_hrhJ9hT4RMBQtFbeA1sHLB/s1600/biking+pilsen+2014+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqouanQTArZyk8coFus5KNzX-iCJxK8seJnUJImb0CGu4sebjU06H1ndVcgdUy9c-Ap52HmvptxeYUkR_U2oz_V9CtOYLGiFIpji1qgWXbsJUtuwknR1-d_hrhJ9hT4RMBQtFbeA1sHLB/s640/biking+pilsen+2014+-+1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Ride your bike to Pilsen and check out the sights (here, a birria taco) before the weather changes!</h2>
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<br />Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-49893374476136991102014-12-03T13:17:00.001-06:002014-12-03T13:25:24.106-06:00Cargo Bikes in the New Year. Last day for J.C. Lind 2015 Pre-ordersJust in time for winter, there are a couple of new cargo carrying bikes on the horizon in Chicago and Bike Friday left a comment sharing that they are trying to develop a new longtail.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bike Friday has a new Cargo Bike that is light, agile and easy for smaller, lighter riders to carry loads. We have a Kickstarter Campaign going on right now to support increasing our production capacity since they are so popular. Check it out <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/greengear/haul-a-day-the-strong-and-light-cargo-bike-built-f/description">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/greengear/haul-a-day-the-strong-and-light-cargo-bike-built-f/description</a> on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">About Cargobikes</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRnRHyxVWromxEbLPWAAaNTZWxsHXno2jkJPOfOaaemBU2pkrlelJxGZHf3SuQEfv_2pYgYs2BMG4sEyXJL1_vB4zxfxvA3j9E_JHz4UV5MPHvEnBBwbE3G7DN1IeNf3iXsgsD0UqjuGM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-12-03+at+13.08.31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRnRHyxVWromxEbLPWAAaNTZWxsHXno2jkJPOfOaaemBU2pkrlelJxGZHf3SuQEfv_2pYgYs2BMG4sEyXJL1_vB4zxfxvA3j9E_JHz4UV5MPHvEnBBwbE3G7DN1IeNf3iXsgsD0UqjuGM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-12-03+at+13.08.31.png" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grabbed from the above link, Green Gear Cycling's Kickstarter project</td></tr>
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The Workcycles KR-8, about $3300, is a full sized box bike like the Bakfiets. Workcycles is selling only the KR-8 from now on. Jon Lind is taking orders for 2015 until... today! We have not had time to ride the new bike but Jon has them. We hope to get a chance to ride one as soon as the madness of the Chicago high school application season has passed. Jon can also order Onderwaters as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuBffSzqbr3Iz2fKNqhM4ZK9wJoTwuPOuash4lL_ORxP3u7ANE0apkotFlJk6AYIwyU0vnzZ2JmgzBYVxvlJ9KYUiP6EuK548XSrDRloKcpvrD3v3Z1cq8gnQHmOcV7nAh0MgE3Vz0ExX/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-12-03+at+13.11.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuBffSzqbr3Iz2fKNqhM4ZK9wJoTwuPOuash4lL_ORxP3u7ANE0apkotFlJk6AYIwyU0vnzZ2JmgzBYVxvlJ9KYUiP6EuK548XSrDRloKcpvrD3v3Z1cq8gnQHmOcV7nAh0MgE3Vz0ExX/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-12-03+at+13.11.08.png" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The KR-8 is sold by JC Lind in Chicago</td></tr>
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Of course Chicago is lucky to have a few shops where families can try out a cargo bike. Green Machine in Ravenswood also has bikes to try if a kid carrying bike is on your holiday wish list.<br />
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Our favorite for children's bikes used is of course a refurbished Working Bikes Cooperative bike shined up for more use.<br />
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We love the small local bike shops in Chicago. You can't go wrong seeking anything bikeish for the holidays in a small shop. They can help you find a something special whether you are thinking small to fill a stocking or splashing out for a big gift. Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-24530608061878666882014-11-24T00:37:00.000-06:002014-11-24T00:37:25.644-06:00Cut to Winter. About Clothes, Breakfast and Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_1092971533"></span><span id="goog_1092971534"></span>Greetings!<br />
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Thank you to all the readers still tuning in after a season of quiet from us. It seems the weather has turned in Chicago. It isn't even late fall anymore. The skies cut to Winter this last two weeks with a tiny rainy thaw this weekend. <br />
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Dressing for these days is all about layers, of course. Not so much difficulty for grown ups but tricky most times when you have a small person, or more, to get outfitted for the morning commute on a bike.<br />
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We have an excellent post that we don't really edit much about dressing <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2010/10/keeping-kids-comfortable-riding-in-fall.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It holds steady with some pretty good advice...<br />
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Aside from getting dressed, how do you feed a bunch of kids, get them dressed, and leave on time to get to where you need to go? This is not a perfect art in our household. Especially not these days, when our oldest attends a school completely the other direction from the others. We seem to have clothing sorted but our big problem is time.<br />
Our biggest challenges seem to be getting everyone fed a decent breakfast and out the door dressed. The place I tend to gain time is on breakfasts that they can carry in the box bike and eat even with their glove-covered hands and goggly faces. (It takes too long to get to school with the kids riding their own bikes as we have a four mile commute.) Forget eating at the table before unlocking the bike to leave. Morning food has to travel or I am late.<br />
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Here are our survival strategies for homemade breakfast running out the door. Substitute pop tarts, or any other favorite carry-along that works for you, and then tell us what it might be in the comments please!<br />
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Mugs of instant oatmeal, warmed biscuits, waffles without toppings, a thermos of not-so-hot chocolate and/or a dashed-in stop at a favorite bakery have all worked in our daily pinch. A jelly sandwich is fast and OK but not warm for winter. Bags of Chinese bakery pork buns are great, too- just steam or microwave the number you need. Of course, it's better fresh but most bakeries we know that bake buns sell them in bags of a dozen or so as well. <br />
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We use quick cooking oatmeal that can be finished with boiled water from the kettle in a cup that can travel without having to cook on the stove. I turn on the kettle, then pour the water into the loaded cups before we get the shoes and clothes on to ride. A spoonful of topping sugar, maple or raisins on top. Then everyone grabs their cup and a spoon and runs down to the garage. We use metal insulated cups that don't burn gloved hands and cheap metal spoons from a restaurant supply in Chinatown. <br />
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Waffle mix is made at night with the dry half measured out into a covered bowl and the wet half of the recipe in a cup in the fridge. I turn on the waffle iron just after I get up and mix the batter fast, fill the iron three times while I yell at everyone to get dressed and then pack the waffles in wax paper bags to be eaten on the bike. We use an old Alice Waters recipe for whole grain waffles from our (covered with years of kitchen grunge) copy of her first <i>Simple Food</i> book. You can add crunchy sugar chunks to the batter when you cook it - Belgian sugar for this is at Ikea, strangely.<br />
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Biscuits work because they don't have to rise and they bake fast if cut very small. Dry and wet mix measured the night before speeds things along. Muffins tend to need to bake just long enough that I get crunched for time and can't get out of the house quite fast enough. Biscuits, again, get packed in the bags to run out the door. Sometimes they stand in for bread in lunch sandwiches if I forgot we were out of bread! We put ham or jam in the biscuits, or bake them with candied ginger sometimes. We use an old Martha Stewart recipe from her <i>Baking Handbook</i>.<br />
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Hot chocolate goes in a small thermos for each kid - not hot so it will burn anyone's mouth, but warmed through to be nice moving along in the box. We just play that by ear. You can make great hot chocolate with just hot milk and dark chocolate; it's less sweet than a mix and more chocolaty. If the milk is warmed the chocolate will just melt in it while we run around. I mix it with a whisk once before pouring it into the thermoses. <br />
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Sometimes we stop at a favorite bakery on the way. We try to stop at a place with enough people at the counter so we don't get snagged in line, in a neighborhood spot safe enough to leave children out front in the bike while one of the children or I run inside. <br />
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A really nice end to the hectic commute is finding ourselves at a great coffeeshop, with every child safely at school, watching the sleet outside through the steamy windows. <br />
Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-26154307679712827022014-07-09T00:39:00.002-05:002014-07-10T11:39:24.040-05:00Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the curious half smile came from the snorkel</td></tr>
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Happy Summer!<br />
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We have been riding a little more, writing a bit less. Many exciting developments have come our way this summer in Chicago. We rode Wood as the new green pathways for bikes were painted in and finished, there are lots of ersatz new protected bike lanes in our neighborhood as the El construction on the blue line at Morgan is completed and concrete barriers have made bike and pedestrian only pathways enhancing our commute over the bridges. and Go PilsenGo Pilsen has launched practically in our back yard.<br />
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Go Pilsen is a partnership among Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago Department of Transportation, and Pilsen community members intended to foster walking and biking among all residents of the neighborhood and anyone else who wants to take part!. It follows quickly on the heels of last fall's success of a similar group, Go Bronzeville.<br />
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This Saturday, July 12, the Ciclovamos riding group is hosting a Bike Treasure Hunt through Pilsen. Tricky clues and many surprises are in store for anyone venturing out to join the fun. Details below.<br />
It is on our to do list for the weekend!<br />
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We will be walking along co-hosting the Ping Tom Park family walk from Pilsen to Chinatown on July 19th. There is an old post of ours about the water taxi <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/theres-water-taxi-to-chinatown.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but the park was recently at least doubled in size and it now has a fieldhouse as well. Keep your eyes open for the August calendar - we are in Go Pilsen's August events too.<br />
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<b>Ciclovamos Bike Treasure Hunt</b></div>
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<i>Saturday, July 12, 7pm-9pm</i></div>
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<i>Dvorak Park (behind the field house) @ 1119 W. Cullerton</i></div>
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Do you think you know Pilsen? How about by bike? This Pilsen-wide treasure hunt will test your local knowledge with riddles and clues showcasing some popular spots as well as unique hideaways. <span style="color: #6dc6dd; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://gopilsen.us8.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2e9a7d0bd6d16536fdd73b4ff&id=d3d8b8b8ea&e=081931407d">Learn more details here</a></span> and be sure to <span style="color: #6dc6dd; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://gopilsen.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e9a7d0bd6d16536fdd73b4ff&id=b5dd6a5c16&e=081931407d">RSVP</a></span> for this free event.</div>
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<b>Ping Tom Memorial Park Family Walk and Picnic</b></div>
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<i>Saturday, July 19, 11am-2pm</i></div>
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<i>Plaza Tenochtitlan @ 18th & Blue Island</i></div>
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Bring your family and join our group walk to Ping Tom Memorial Park where kids can play and adults can relax by the beautiful pagoda and bamboo gardens. This event is BYOPB - bring your own picnic basket. <span style="color: #6dc6dd; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://gopilsen.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e9a7d0bd6d16536fdd73b4ff&id=87ed5d799e&e=081931407d">Find updates about this free event</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We'll never get to Pilsen from here if you don't get your foot off my bike!"</td></tr>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-91389344751916606222014-05-06T18:55:00.003-05:002014-05-06T22:38:59.385-05:00Family Folding Bike from Taiwan in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I rode past a playground on my way to work today I came across a great bike for carrying two kids and an adult. SRS is a Taiwanese manufacturer of folding bikes and this one is <a href="http://www.srs-bike.com/english-family-1.html" target="_blank">their family model</a>. The owner was there and explained he had bought it in Taiwan and that he carried his two children on it, ages 3 and 5. It rides well, he said, and was not too expensive. And he told me that bikes like this are common there but unavailable here. With some lights and some way to carry a backpack or two this could be the perfect bike for the school run. There are other manufacturers of <a href="http://daddytypes.com/2010/07/09/so_about_these_crazy_taiwanese_family_bikes.php" target="_blank">similar bikes</a> and even <a href="http://www.justwin.com.tw/products_detail.php?id=12" target="_blank">electric drive options</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdlXGgq0z9z1KF7EHI4oQ9UQggjqJzssGYGCkN82EdOjKTePGEJ7J5Ui01HhWuiaWip3dhNFomhpPFDw25IGuJlSzUNURy48WnHeArJ2LwvgCM54lU9249BG_RwI1XMplyTUZ64YRLByu/s1600/taiwanese+kid+bike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdlXGgq0z9z1KF7EHI4oQ9UQggjqJzssGYGCkN82EdOjKTePGEJ7J5Ui01HhWuiaWip3dhNFomhpPFDw25IGuJlSzUNURy48WnHeArJ2LwvgCM54lU9249BG_RwI1XMplyTUZ64YRLByu/s1600/taiwanese+kid+bike+1.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">basic 21 speed Shimano Tourney derailer gear system, hi-ten steel frame,<br />small wheels for easy storage and transport. The rear wheel <br />is suspended almost like a Brompton or similar folding bike but the hinge <br />is in the frame in front of the bottom bracket and the bike folds like a Dahon. <br />The front wheel has a simple suspension at the top of the fork.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCqPQcOzwbCMYu5Gw9Wmq3620Sa5T-h__SBt1JeF13_YFLio35uIgrynAm-ebMwiZL7FQxCv0fxYk9Uk39xXNAFUugG2iOWJ3t5cheV2KQ6DKl7Bf_NlSMVnJvyAfYLXO63tOzaFvtRLj/s1600/taiwanese+kid+bike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCqPQcOzwbCMYu5Gw9Wmq3620Sa5T-h__SBt1JeF13_YFLio35uIgrynAm-ebMwiZL7FQxCv0fxYk9Uk39xXNAFUugG2iOWJ3t5cheV2KQ6DKl7Bf_NlSMVnJvyAfYLXO63tOzaFvtRLj/s1600/taiwanese+kid+bike+2.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The front child seat has footrests and is height adjustable, <br />with a little handlebar to grab attached in front. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The whole top bar with seat and handle pops off to fold the bike.<br />The bike maker provides a LED light/horn combo to entertain the rider.<br />The second child sits on the rear rack seat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7GP9FyYqVxtec6wdNO_beka9W6hKGKySwVA0Tz7XJ05nnBnWZ94hHSaaHjai3ss6XH_Qs8VJvCgSkzfEglvLvxJ69jUSFJxp3UrCsm0RBFogCoAZt1gzoPEsm-Oyo1Kr4TtjEhrWpeSL/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-06+at+20.52.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7GP9FyYqVxtec6wdNO_beka9W6hKGKySwVA0Tz7XJ05nnBnWZ94hHSaaHjai3ss6XH_Qs8VJvCgSkzfEglvLvxJ69jUSFJxp3UrCsm0RBFogCoAZt1gzoPEsm-Oyo1Kr4TtjEhrWpeSL/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-06+at+20.52.54.png" height="293" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From the <a href="http://www.srs-bike.com/english-family-1.html" target="_blank">manufacturer's website</a>,<br />this is what it looks like in your car trunk or closet.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If bikes like this are available elsewhere I'm not sure why they are not sold in Chicago. Simple, practical and inexpensive, with basic but functional components, this kind of bike could make transportation easier for plenty of Chicago families. </span>Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-19933635476482772012014-04-19T01:30:00.003-05:002014-04-23T21:27:51.117-05:00We Updated the Cargobike Page and the Link to Buying a Bike for Your ChildJust so you know, the<a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank"> Cargobike Page</a> has been updated a bit today. The Bakfiets.nl Cargobike's main distributor in the US, Workcycles, will stop shipping it and instead will offer a new modular cargo bike of their own this year. The Fietsfabriek bikes appear to be unavailable in the US now. Urban Arrow and Bakfiets.nl electric assist bikes are here, and JoeBike's cargo bikes are gone. There are a few other updates. Have a look.<br />
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Buying a bike for a child? Here's <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/11/buying-bike-for-your-child.html" target="_blank">our post about it</a>. And look at the <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/04/look-for-kids-bike-built-for.html" target="_blank">other posts</a> about kids in the archives.Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-86855696352681420112014-04-18T12:10:00.001-05:002014-04-20T15:05:03.806-05:00Do they ride bikes in Italy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfTI6j4SN5peWcSNxRG86daohYS4u3fVeNpuuKFSUp1mzoQ0LeV8dd5nhhRCEUi53Bya3ecGU8Ot6vszecsjuYLwGv0fzbLF2AMIbzX1vYufOwex1AcAkkDqLe_2o61NDY-Gg7wWMmlwN/s1600/scene+florence+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfTI6j4SN5peWcSNxRG86daohYS4u3fVeNpuuKFSUp1mzoQ0LeV8dd5nhhRCEUi53Bya3ecGU8Ot6vszecsjuYLwGv0fzbLF2AMIbzX1vYufOwex1AcAkkDqLe_2o61NDY-Gg7wWMmlwN/s1600/scene+florence+.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our family in Florence chose our first stop - the indoor market. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Many bicycles both inside and around. And hardly any mopeds this time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLBY0OldihzzyRAR9faCtT4F7TL4zSSiEnjpxm-Vu-4UkUmIHSlA7JSRr_2O1E4CEjLT07YFwODbdiMqJvsLh0QeehZBn0d-ffNPfxYpc6gJpg0JYN6jEp4l8P2G0EfZMcM3mMo2vTnap/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLBY0OldihzzyRAR9faCtT4F7TL4zSSiEnjpxm-Vu-4UkUmIHSlA7JSRr_2O1E4CEjLT07YFwODbdiMqJvsLh0QeehZBn0d-ffNPfxYpc6gJpg0JYN6jEp4l8P2G0EfZMcM3mMo2vTnap/s1600/2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We note that Florentines love an enclosed chain case (to protect those spiffy trouser cuffs?).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We liked the big cargo bikes inside and the fishmongers unlocked bike. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnL61_xmLI_oYnhyphenhyphensKkYmCehQsD4ScVTQp2ulNXhFl0LjZmv7-0xaTbNF_Pm_U1Q8w49AOoVKVEZVB3qbA9Yk7ftKF4oD6MwRyquMX5D2C80QKEaWIcH4n9n2kGnQNh6uUDOZrzhVS1Pg/s1600/cargo+bike+market+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnL61_xmLI_oYnhyphenhyphensKkYmCehQsD4ScVTQp2ulNXhFl0LjZmv7-0xaTbNF_Pm_U1Q8w49AOoVKVEZVB3qbA9Yk7ftKF4oD6MwRyquMX5D2C80QKEaWIcH4n9n2kGnQNh6uUDOZrzhVS1Pg/s1600/cargo+bike+market+florence.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most bikes had some way of carrying groceries or work bags or children.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszo-JsiTnjLZjgpSAVz43FYMVvqDysrOwHFPBAUeJDKMnIfb4mF-fJGz1rbxRpBWkdYwsvyqahyj63RnyX7NBOP5aD92tPfK-cY_0anfYxnJFyBrVuzVPkroYvmIqdephasIC_z8X8VVt/s1600/fish+sign+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszo-JsiTnjLZjgpSAVz43FYMVvqDysrOwHFPBAUeJDKMnIfb4mF-fJGz1rbxRpBWkdYwsvyqahyj63RnyX7NBOP5aD92tPfK-cY_0anfYxnJFyBrVuzVPkroYvmIqdephasIC_z8X8VVt/s1600/fish+sign+.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyOm74iAZSfF2bsn28ly-CnP9mxGq2xdFHZN9KkI_dOTXRiEcGBq-H9Gc4Rp6BNCkoibd1KbhLUlk3Q8dbQXBNiPGtlzzlcklNtOAPCWoD1Z2AC8sukDNHRQMSyEdR8Va5kQ2-Iq-h5eB/s1600/kid+bikes+flo.jpg" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not as many heavy duty locks as you'd think,<br />and not always locked to something immobile.<br />Who would have thought?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom and kid on his own bike traveling up the Arno</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were very surprised by the number of families riding with their children and new bike lanes we found in Florence compared to our last visit eight years ago. Lots of double kid carrying bikes were parked everywhere, in the city center and in the outer city near the old city walls across the Arno. Outside the city center in the part of town where we were visiting our family we found functional separated bike infrastructure and people using it (even if we didn't get pictures of them).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pee Wee Herman's bike?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly all step through frames.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIT1Nr5NZ6Jy6_GDR5OnHL3caU430dYKbqwV1WVd3foBQD5CH2Rv0G-bwKWYIwAKWKeUw-VT4tzldHzpzXtxUK5Bafh19tayNFC-KlAshbbLw2HVzqgecaidCaoz524cKkygm9ISB4uJ5/s1600/rose+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIT1Nr5NZ6Jy6_GDR5OnHL3caU430dYKbqwV1WVd3foBQD5CH2Rv0G-bwKWYIwAKWKeUw-VT4tzldHzpzXtxUK5Bafh19tayNFC-KlAshbbLw2HVzqgecaidCaoz524cKkygm9ISB4uJ5/s1600/rose+garden.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hilly to ride here but bikes everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December roses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">al the racks in residential parts of town were full</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aKTxk3DQjTZTiJ1pJm_9c_mV0rIkG34t8MBICfgCzjFAQ7ekw-oyFU8cUzOIrub2w8MnccAInuhaSYXzOhed7mcDWag2OAY36zcbYsqwHhRVqIPfodC_iEDUs5WH1XUq9sgPvGgoXDSK/s1600/more+bus+graffiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aKTxk3DQjTZTiJ1pJm_9c_mV0rIkG34t8MBICfgCzjFAQ7ekw-oyFU8cUzOIrub2w8MnccAInuhaSYXzOhed7mcDWag2OAY36zcbYsqwHhRVqIPfodC_iEDUs5WH1XUq9sgPvGgoXDSK/s1600/more+bus+graffiti.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi5K1D5LagB4Guvgx3sw42aUY_ZVE4_KRiuXPwFGbq37u1KZwwx2ka-WlAuQugvN1dt_wXrEZ65H3TX_K5mixR2bZuy2N1S7fx9qJNyhqGIku1MlEwTxUt9_nspjr_q5iQg1C5lfQFGCS/s1600/kid+carrier+in+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi5K1D5LagB4Guvgx3sw42aUY_ZVE4_KRiuXPwFGbq37u1KZwwx2ka-WlAuQugvN1dt_wXrEZ65H3TX_K5mixR2bZuy2N1S7fx9qJNyhqGIku1MlEwTxUt9_nspjr_q5iQg1C5lfQFGCS/s1600/kid+carrier+in+florence.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">highbrow graffiti</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztszj0OkkRZbhqgPmax6KcvucLxKRCT9qqOj9oJhcBjDi2wxX5NICwG-wUPmvTB7JvuENsMoIBFypX5NgR9MeRxRTI-HSSpJen2jlo42kKpdOwPy8iEuTWTB51Z1eDWntguZZyP6g0bJS/s1600/yummy+one+euro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztszj0OkkRZbhqgPmax6KcvucLxKRCT9qqOj9oJhcBjDi2wxX5NICwG-wUPmvTB7JvuENsMoIBFypX5NgR9MeRxRTI-HSSpJen2jlo42kKpdOwPy8iEuTWTB51Z1eDWntguZZyP6g0bJS/s1600/yummy+one+euro.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">€1 for the most delicious morning pastry (rice and pastry cream filling) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and €1 for a cappuccino or latte macchiato to go with it!</span></div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-49686328701578431272014-04-13T23:00:00.001-05:002014-04-14T00:09:55.295-05:00 Tief ( -Garagen) in Bayern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We visited in Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland this winter for the first time in eight very long years. We got to return to visit old friends. Babies born but never met are now in elementary school, new buildings everywhere. </span><br />
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We took a pile of pictures we will be publishing in a short series this week. Thank you again to the beloved friends whose houses are in our pictures. </span><br />
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Today it's all about the tief (deep) garage!</span><br />
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Here are pictures from two of our friends' neighborhoods. Though both friends live in small cities - one a small university city in Germany, the other a small town about 10 minutes from Zurich on the above ground street tram. Both neighborhoods are created with an underground garage for cars for each neighborhood instead of personal driveways, parking pads or garages.</span><br />
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Personal garages are replaced with small yards and front sheds for bicycles. Removing car parking spaces from the front of the houses created beautiful walking and play spaces for residents. Both neighborhoods had bike pathways and generous sidewalks, well separated from traffic, that gave comfortable access to the city centers and shopping on foot or bike.</span><br />
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These first pictures are from Northern Bavaria</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJYVK0Q0bIeAxNcibzuUYTeygR0Ndep6B6yvK1ePTugcrK_C46TQyGK7MAK6DvUZk7hcbt3M6aEkE3i3P11fPm6miV7PNDRYRIom17tUrV4rG-zP9TludHYsm5TG6CMIVkpyvcyXq3peD/s1600/Erlangen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJYVK0Q0bIeAxNcibzuUYTeygR0Ndep6B6yvK1ePTugcrK_C46TQyGK7MAK6DvUZk7hcbt3M6aEkE3i3P11fPm6miV7PNDRYRIom17tUrV4rG-zP9TludHYsm5TG6CMIVkpyvcyXq3peD/s1600/Erlangen+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Picked up at the train with the brother of our box bike. Here in <br />the city shopping pedestrian zone with a Christmas tree <br />carried from Munich catching a ride on the back.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsg2XQ0sbt8MqurwkEMyFb3r2F4Hzo4hGioDSS9yU6rqmPzVkHTEPE3FQZxOomnfja2YJvVUygCX5oRkyVOkcYneU_Ja6QBz_SM6sy0cs0BSX5vNhASZPkGyThvHXfbxDvW7w_op18R9y/s1600/Erlangen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsg2XQ0sbt8MqurwkEMyFb3r2F4Hzo4hGioDSS9yU6rqmPzVkHTEPE3FQZxOomnfja2YJvVUygCX5oRkyVOkcYneU_Ja6QBz_SM6sy0cs0BSX5vNhASZPkGyThvHXfbxDvW7w_op18R9y/s1600/Erlangen+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Out of focus but shows <br />separated bike lane well</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is a view of the road, curb separated lane and sidewalk in the city center. The deeper grey center path is the bikeway. The grate indicates the area of the walking way.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A hairsbreadth from the center of Zurich each townhouse has its own bike garage outside the front door protected from mountain snow and rain. Car free paths lead to a network of off street foot paths throughout the village to schools and shopping with street crossings mixed in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zW13SDgRQFF4ccl8HnLWSggT8Vn0pwD160T_ZifmibZS9CRZmUerk36HhpnXf0vL9Gig_s-Re5lyhPlSt7Ejrx7N0goDmJzGmHBkGUbiDGY9RN-TxS65nLz94fk_6YjUTCyUmPIxLx1M/s1600/tiefgarage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zW13SDgRQFF4ccl8HnLWSggT8Vn0pwD160T_ZifmibZS9CRZmUerk36HhpnXf0vL9Gig_s-Re5lyhPlSt7Ejrx7N0goDmJzGmHBkGUbiDGY9RN-TxS65nLz94fk_6YjUTCyUmPIxLx1M/s1600/tiefgarage+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are more views of the same front gardens and walkway. Below the houses and gardens are the buried garage- "tief garage". Residents' cars are parked down here under the small private backyard gardens adjoining the houses.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Footpaths are marked with signs noting they are for walking only. Below is the path off of the Blumenstrasse. The building just visible on the right is an elementary school. The path can be used by walkers or those on bikes and allows children to travel to school on foot or bike well separated from car traffic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We love the small girl and her dapper companion.</span></div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-403182367801084062014-04-08T23:56:00.002-05:002014-04-08T23:56:28.772-05:00 YOU On Wheels! This Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We’re keeping an eye on the weather here at Chicargobike because <a href="http://womenbikechi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Women Bike Chicago’s second Day of Dialogue and Demos</a>, for <b>women</b> curious about riding bikes for recreation and transportation in Chicago, is coming right up this Saturday at Dvorak Park in the heart of Pilsen.<br />
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Fear not, registration is encouraged, but you are welcome to just pop down to the park and spend the day without one.<br />
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<a href="http://womenbikechi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmG28IXrB4_dv9EOAuFAJQdKhKj6b-UKwt5MLATsQcuhRXT6z34vdVVKmeqp_2zvYL2yMLR1ihDdgC16sfFUXLKfkNyutbC7-cssGS0abEYM98aBOxdVY8d7aKdFW3OqmL-z2n8diRIqG/s1600/WOW+Postcard+5.5x8.5+HOZ2.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year’s favorites will all make a return with lots of new exciting additions. We have some terrific guests this year. Dvorak has an on-site Divvy station and Divvy will be on hand with demo bikes and mechanics to help teach everyone how to use the station. The CTA bus rack demo will also be there so you can learn to get your bike up on that rack under the trees in the park. The bike corral is back again with oodles of bikes coming from the many women of the Chicago bike community and even some guest shops.<br />
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Great workshops and presentations will be happening all day inside the lovely WPA-era field house. The free child care is in a fieldhouse gym this year with plenty of space to run and play. Be ready for a good old fashioned raffle and check out tips on riding and maintenance from the amazing West Town Bikes and Blue Island Bicycle Club. The full list of activities is at the <a href="http://womenbikechi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WomenBikeChicago</a> blog.<br />
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Come on down with a friend or four hankering to learn about how to get up on two wheels with a friendly crowd of Chicago women on hand to help!Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-51500633626514366642014-03-23T17:35:00.000-05:002014-03-26T08:03:55.718-05:00Another Odd Raleigh Folding Bike for Kids 9-90<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucZeS4Pdp9VkBdoj7eJLg-_HOhSflxGTr3pH3neriINSzy5jhOlfX7d7clYfSiPYO-8b1-Fz7hyphenhyphenAR5zsY35Zv1V9XMLxPTtc6URPAGA-7TkylrIMPBRVDuzFuZEeYC7yRQVWyTj4jYWw/s1600/RSW16+compact+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucZeS4Pdp9VkBdoj7eJLg-_HOhSflxGTr3pH3neriINSzy5jhOlfX7d7clYfSiPYO-8b1-Fz7hyphenhyphenAR5zsY35Zv1V9XMLxPTtc6URPAGA-7TkylrIMPBRVDuzFuZEeYC7yRQVWyTj4jYWw/s1600/RSW16+compact+.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 9 year old's NEW 1966 Raleigh RSW16 Compact folding bicycle, seat in lowest position</td></tr>
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The Raleigh RSW16 (<b>R</b>aleigh <b>S</b>mall <b>W</b>heel), made 1965 - 1974, preceded the better-known Raleigh Twenty (<a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/11/raleigh-twenty-folding-bike.html">our post about it</a>) by half a decade. It was an attempt to get in on the popularity of the original 1962 Moulton small wheel bike. There is a long interesting story about the end of Raleigh by <a href="http://hadland.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Tony Hadland</a> in books and on his blog, and on the <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/rsw.html" target="_blank">Retro Raleighs</a> section of Sheldon Brown's site. After a year of building the RSW16 as a fixed frame, a folding version, the Compact, was developed so that cyclists could carry their bikes in the back of their little British 1960s car. There was also a 14 inch version, the RSW14. Both of these little bikes will work for any rider from about 9 years or 4½ feet / 135cm tall, up to perhaps 6 feet / 180 cm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2THvE7-CgVSVTFUFo23t9sZC_FcFUS0MyAuQb_uZ5Ta1YqtkCxG56Bd7cwQxW5voxbIGthyphenhyphenrKs7uBO_cLOGkgW4JRaHgqf8wzmKopqxUqCSQm2o-VMuna-uWJ1Qmgn8t51w1Q-UBIwvb/s1600/RSW16+compact+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2THvE7-CgVSVTFUFo23t9sZC_FcFUS0MyAuQb_uZ5Ta1YqtkCxG56Bd7cwQxW5voxbIGthyphenhyphenrKs7uBO_cLOGkgW4JRaHgqf8wzmKopqxUqCSQm2o-VMuna-uWJ1Qmgn8t51w1Q-UBIwvb/s1600/RSW16+compact+2.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
Our RSW16 Compact is from 1966 and was sold in Washington DC according to the dealer's sticker. They originally came with cream colored Dunlop 16 x 2 inch tires which had very supple sidewalls, in an attempt to make up for the lack of the Moulton's full suspension system. You can see these on <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/rsw/index.html">Sheldon Brown's bike</a>. Dunlop is long out of the bike tire business but 16 inch BMX tires still fit. We found some Maxxis Hookworms. They ride more stiffly and a little less fashionably than the originals, most likely, but they are available.<br />
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It also originally came with a white vinyl Brooks mattress seat, famous for ripping apart at the seam, and that's probably what happened to the one on this bike. Even the (ugly) seat it has now is probably at least as good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZnV7xUR3cDNyn3UkaPFsBStQxzczWYrZ-yP8pIUC7YNig6OCDEn5jnE_ZF20KitD03w41yTYx3pfKxdCuVAf2GvASCAw8YblpmHiDNia2bTInCZ3xwuKJj70JJ7DG1EBEOpGRKtF0boh/s1600/RSW16+compact+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZnV7xUR3cDNyn3UkaPFsBStQxzczWYrZ-yP8pIUC7YNig6OCDEn5jnE_ZF20KitD03w41yTYx3pfKxdCuVAf2GvASCAw8YblpmHiDNia2bTInCZ3xwuKJj70JJ7DG1EBEOpGRKtF0boh/s1600/RSW16+compact+31.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b>Is it really smaller folded</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlODdxXC0fL_TAQ1ST7ddtaUYiLYxqIC7QABKBMFpVgocKy__Ch18apnrbrbTk6VnCAzmAux0wr1fmvq8zcnGSowwVe2VjAgkHMCoFR4sZIfPGZRHzw9DBoBYSWXPcdXknETAHkBuy1CDu/s1600/RSW16+compact+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlODdxXC0fL_TAQ1ST7ddtaUYiLYxqIC7QABKBMFpVgocKy__Ch18apnrbrbTk6VnCAzmAux0wr1fmvq8zcnGSowwVe2VjAgkHMCoFR4sZIfPGZRHzw9DBoBYSWXPcdXknETAHkBuy1CDu/s1600/RSW16+compact+32.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b> than it is unfolded?</b></div>
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The folding system, described by Raleigh as being 'like a shotgun', involves pushing that flap just above the bottom bracket against the seat tube and lifting the seat while pushing the handlebars down. It clicks closed. There's a photo of the warning decal below.<br />
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The handlebars also need to be folded down and the seat lowered as much as possible. The cream colored reflectorless pedals don't fold and the whole package flops around when carried, but I guess it fits in the car better.<br />
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The handlebars can be folded (utterly uselessly) into an intermediate straight bar position that looks wonderful for smaller riders until you actually try it.<br />
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Another step downward and the handlebars look like this. Undo the quick release seat tube lever and you're ready to fold the frame and pop it into the boot of your Morris Minor.<br />
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These are actually not terrible little bikes. There is a Sturmey-Archer AW 3 speed hub without a coaster brake, shifted with a then-newly developed handle grip twist shift (before the Shimano 333 grip that's on the left side?) and the brakes are surprisingly good for a Raleigh. <br />
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The front brake is pretty standard Raleigh. But despite the steel rims and the plain rubber pads, the rear brake really works well. It has a design that looks like a 1980s mountain bike brake, behind the bottom bracket, and the crossed levers amplify the braking. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The knob at the top of the stem is used to loosen the<br />
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That huge oddly shaped rear rack was intended for a bag made of plaid or white vinyl around a lightweight plywood frame. The bag clamped between one of the wires at the front of the rack and a spring-loaded wire in the back. The sprung section still pulls out on ours (often this is rusted shut on others) but without the special bag it's not a very useful rack. We will probably try to fit angled steel brackets onto a milk crate or similar to take advantage of the connection system. The rack doesn't hold panniers very well at all.<br />
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To be safe for riding nowadays this bike still needs better visibility. There are neither pedal, wheel nor front reflectors and there is no lighting. A bell has been added and the rest will have to follow. We'll likely swap out the ugly new seat for an ugly old one, too.<br />
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I enjoyed riding my son's RSW16 Compact with its zippy small wheel maneuverability, though it is rather heavy and unwieldy to carry. It's got a real 1960s design feeling that may be the best part of the whole bike. Though it's fun enough for an adult, our 9 year old spent the morning zipping around on the RSW and says "it's great!" What more do I need to tell you?</div>
Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-34451244781619104752013-10-01T22:03:00.000-05:002013-10-01T22:03:08.396-05:00No Trumpets, No Drums<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our nine year old decided to sit in the cargo box reading a book (for a change instead of pedaling his own bike) on the Critical Mass ride on Friday. The route took us through lots of industrial landscapes down to the Greater Chicago Food Depository on about 41st and Pulaski (<a href="http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/">http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org</a>) and back. Beautiful weather and several families with cargo bikes, nearly no traffic on most of the chosen streets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He remarked on all the goofy things people say to him when he rides in the box. He’s been riding there since he was three so he has pretty much heard it all — he hopes to hear some new jokes,so get working. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Can I get in?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Hey kid, can I have a ride?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“When does (s)he start pedaling?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Whatchu reading?”or “What’s he reading?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Hey kid, let the old man have a rest!” or, “Hey kid, let the old woman have a rest!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Hey kid, did you build that yourself?’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“How is it in there?”</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">He says, “People don’t usually talk to me because I am <br />usually hidden beneath a big pile of stuff”</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don’t forget to come out for the Halloween critical mass ride at 5:30 at Daley Plaza (leaving at 6) preferably with a bike and a costume...</span>Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-87675040206883355802013-09-22T17:19:00.000-05:002013-09-22T22:05:08.818-05:00Back To School On Two Wheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">We're actually cheating a little here. Our picture is from a spring dress-up <br />day. Note that's a terrific flamenco skirt under the vest.</span></td></tr>
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Hello there again.</div>
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Looking for useful advice about about bike commuting to school? Check <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-not-to-bike-to-school-on-national.html" target="_blank">here</a>. How Not to Bike To School".... is a long post about everything you might be curious about when getting ready to bike to school with your children. A second helpful post, "Keeping Kids Comfortable Riding In Fall, about dressing kids well for fall riding is <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2010/10/keeping-kids-comfortable-riding-in-fall.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It should clear up any questions you might have about dressing children from babies to big riders, both as passengers on your bike and on their own rides from early fall to early winter weather transitions.</div>
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The essentials of a great children's bike commute? Blossoming biking skills, a good tested route, clothing that fits the weather, safely packed school bags (especially straps) so nothing falls in the wheel, and timing — start early and take it easy.</div>
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Wishing you all of these at this autumn turn. Happy late September! </div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-86260852973440609622013-07-25T12:40:00.001-05:002014-04-23T21:28:09.118-05:00Divvy Tour with Women Bike Chicago Tonight Thursday July 25th at 6 p.m.It's been awhile since we have been posting. We're hoping to be getting some writing done soon but before we get another post along there is a late bulletin about the Divy Tour Women Bike Chicago is hosting tonight starting at Randolph between Clark and LaSalle .<br />
Response to the invitation has been great and this should be a really fun evening ride. Join us if you can! As copied straight from the Women Bike Chicago blog:<br />
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<a href="http://womenbikechi.blogspot.com/2013/07/tour-de-divvy.html" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none;">Tour de Divvy</a></h3>
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Women Bike Chicago is conducting a Tour de Divvy on Thursday, July 25, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Divvy Station on Randolph between Clark and LaSalle. Connect with other women cyclists on a casual ride to learn about Chicago's new bike share program. Divvy is providing free passes and an ambassador to help us all figure it out.<br />
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We will check out a few stations, and end at the always wonderful Simone's at 18th and Morgan. Even Divvy knows how wonderful Simone's is--there is a station right there<br />
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-20399682031195568892013-06-11T00:22:00.000-05:002013-06-11T00:22:38.620-05:00Women Bike Chicago at Women and Children First Bookshop Thursday NIght! Then on to Chinatown.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Women Bike Chicago is swinging into the summer season with two great not to be missed programs this month. </span><br />
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First, this <i>Thursday, June 13th at 7:30p.m</i>, Women and Children First Bookshop will be hosting a talk about getting back on your bike after a crash. Susan Levin and Leah Jones will share their inspiring stories of returning to ride. Rumor has it there will be very delicious refreshments on hand and good cycling books to peruse after the talk. Susan and Leah will share not only their stories but answer questions as well. A great evening at this venerable Andersonville bookshop!</h3>
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Later this month, on <i>Saturday the 23rd of June</i> Jane Healy will lead a delicious ride from 31St. Beach to Chinatown. 4 to 7 pm. Kids welcome.</h3>
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We'll be along for both events. Who did you think was bringing the refreshments anyway? Stay tuned for a Women Bike Chicago summer workshop on packing your bike with your food shopping (with kids too).</h3>
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Details from the posts from Women Bike Chicago are here: </h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://womenbikechi.blogspot.com/2013/05/crash-recovery-stories.html" style="color: black; font: normal normal bold 20px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Crash Recovery Stories</a></span></div>
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By popular demand (really - you said so in the survey from our March 23 event), we're presenting an expanded version of the "Getting Back On a Bike" session, where Susan told of her experience getting back on her bike after a serious crash. She'll be joined by Leah Jones, who also suffered a crash - coincidentally at the same intersection - about a year later.<br />
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Susan and Leah will share their stories - what happened on their respective fateful days and how they got riding again. Remember, every story is different: everyone heals at her own pace. Learn how they did it.<br />
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Please come to Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. in Andersonville on June 13, 7.30 PM<br />
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Refreshments will be served, and you'll have a chance to talk to the presenters as well.<br />
The event is Free!<br />
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<a href="http://womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/susan-levin-and-leah-jones" style="color: #538cd6; text-decoration: none;">http://womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/susan-levin-and-leah-jones</a></div>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-74350052317781608812013-06-02T12:14:00.000-05:002013-06-02T22:35:29.313-05:00Biking Lakeshore Drive Again<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRZaPa_0ihdGDl8J1noxcTlarYk6k2REmgqY5jAvGGksKq9pt7g77HO3yPkZ8kxT9Yg8pA1N8h742JtBzzslkZh9dpQEcSkEK_2us5mca84_2vILqPgwnifp2J7Hk3A8oqK5AS2KSYl8V/s1600/Chicago+early+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRZaPa_0ihdGDl8J1noxcTlarYk6k2REmgqY5jAvGGksKq9pt7g77HO3yPkZ8kxT9Yg8pA1N8h742JtBzzslkZh9dpQEcSkEK_2us5mca84_2vILqPgwnifp2J7Hk3A8oqK5AS2KSYl8V/s320/Chicago+early+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early in the morning last week, through the city...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZNknhI2sA_Qw9cWCtL5t3Daw4d_bt-8pAQMEPwJfA0iA1AuPFzjxxXG9_ldKjp9SJ3S34_v0oe5MHHF5im2hHmFduIQThBjYeANxtMaP_xCflq87fHQ6lVb4S3XLqghhuPAKPZWnV43T/s1600/Chicago+early+AM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZNknhI2sA_Qw9cWCtL5t3Daw4d_bt-8pAQMEPwJfA0iA1AuPFzjxxXG9_ldKjp9SJ3S34_v0oe5MHHF5im2hHmFduIQThBjYeANxtMaP_xCflq87fHQ6lVb4S3XLqghhuPAKPZWnV43T/s320/Chicago+early+AM2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one in the cargo bike, one in front</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVlr0uThOggkGyLzJ_HkNkGmV2gyd69rca6-019GgyhXk1wsxDKkxjyzAdc86BdREJBK1xSARdXZLnXHwtbzv85EgMTDvEiVlxEGVJlVxbBSiNfCrnGSOJ3np7Jg32zwFLXRUJgTWmnBG/s1600/bike+the+drive+2013+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVlr0uThOggkGyLzJ_HkNkGmV2gyd69rca6-019GgyhXk1wsxDKkxjyzAdc86BdREJBK1xSARdXZLnXHwtbzv85EgMTDvEiVlxEGVJlVxbBSiNfCrnGSOJ3np7Jg32zwFLXRUJgTWmnBG/s640/bike+the+drive+2013+0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're off!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjFI2rppe8sKMd6b4Ivn74MvHGldxgf8731fxh_A5jGlEXY_Is4stlSuB-mXD9S8BdFFJhc9ZZKDCoEOovIsxftgNGnbM9nNZTzjyNYWtkxwB_Pm5qKTOy1gekhyl9R7OyKqXeJ4cyLng/s1600/bike+the+drive+2013+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjFI2rppe8sKMd6b4Ivn74MvHGldxgf8731fxh_A5jGlEXY_Is4stlSuB-mXD9S8BdFFJhc9ZZKDCoEOovIsxftgNGnbM9nNZTzjyNYWtkxwB_Pm5qKTOy1gekhyl9R7OyKqXeJ4cyLng/s400/bike+the+drive+2013+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge over the Chicago River is always our favorite part even if the <br />
Active Trans people keep shouting at people not to stop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n_t6hYakLGxdmvKsB-C34p0DKYB0hVZCshMwU8tZ6pJJ6RjvNW5lVL9tz3UHJOQvI5L1y_8Tf4dnMbnpraucz7E_M6UnAvB2o-jTTslPdC_Y0zOXAVs3-TTwvk1A_0fNDKCkSxNA7Nvy/s1600/bike+the+drive+2013+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n_t6hYakLGxdmvKsB-C34p0DKYB0hVZCshMwU8tZ6pJJ6RjvNW5lVL9tz3UHJOQvI5L1y_8Tf4dnMbnpraucz7E_M6UnAvB2o-jTTslPdC_Y0zOXAVs3-TTwvk1A_0fNDKCkSxNA7Nvy/s400/bike+the+drive+2013+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest area featuring water, welcome green bananas, cookies and energy bars.<br />
Uptown Bikes had a firepit going near their rickshaw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUG-WwovOLioj2b0BTDxBEltu-3mGY3ijKb9LMYFJD9lspjr14dt0DI9HiCzts37d4nu2FpL9Xi1crvMKvsi3LeIq5jWRqahS0OU6YQNBNjjrlscMO-HEYN9APqbKy1fFTWUFLQCxTQX/s1600/bike+the+drive+2013+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUG-WwovOLioj2b0BTDxBEltu-3mGY3ijKb9LMYFJD9lspjr14dt0DI9HiCzts37d4nu2FpL9Xi1crvMKvsi3LeIq5jWRqahS0OU6YQNBNjjrlscMO-HEYN9APqbKy1fFTWUFLQCxTQX/s400/bike+the+drive+2013+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBJbTAla9g9v3xrY0dgeYJVscA663PsmoS4-c4vr-qs_g-RCv7ARxKBBnKNeutHLkEQoNighAfm4uOyCQTh7Z3PKdXn-mC1I3FHZzORzbLAVfHFTgFrXp7JZdZP982IP7bTF9uuAZa18m/s1600/bike+the+drive+2013+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBJbTAla9g9v3xrY0dgeYJVscA663PsmoS4-c4vr-qs_g-RCv7ARxKBBnKNeutHLkEQoNighAfm4uOyCQTh7Z3PKdXn-mC1I3FHZzORzbLAVfHFTgFrXp7JZdZP982IP7bTF9uuAZa18m/s640/bike+the+drive+2013+4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There weren't many people with lights and fenders</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98trz6SkKOa8D0DsUreft-eAOR7svHs2gbLHNZKgSLuMgBP9H8UvrklNiCpXoKgPa8mRa9AkE6FQyxDoTA9eMrQikC4KoQoRk2VWX7-NO-hJSxuzfP9Q6mf-tWpiZU3FoUjKJe-pqGrHK/s1600/bike+the+drive+bfast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98trz6SkKOa8D0DsUreft-eAOR7svHs2gbLHNZKgSLuMgBP9H8UvrklNiCpXoKgPa8mRa9AkE6FQyxDoTA9eMrQikC4KoQoRk2VWX7-NO-hJSxuzfP9Q6mf-tWpiZU3FoUjKJe-pqGrHK/s400/bike+the+drive+bfast1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well deserved hot chocolate and<br />
pastry for the pedalers</td></tr>
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Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-58664534146543812572013-05-25T18:42:00.001-05:002013-06-02T17:57:17.714-05:00Bike the Drive is TomorrowHere is a <a href="http://www.chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/biking-drive-family-style.html" target="_blank">link to our old post about Bike the Drive</a> with the whole family. It's May 26th this year, but not much has changed besides that. There are some new protected lanes in the Loop area to get you to and from the start, Dearborn probably the most useful.<br />
See you there!Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-4422977471194735142013-05-21T22:35:00.000-05:002014-03-23T18:45:55.242-05:00Register Your Bike Yet?<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/193938" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFu06tkhIw1TnNE5SwuQ3_66bBn8U1aM11MgmODvKiQOkfKJFw7TH-GHXRcxIkj41wrants0PozxREhAMsCThSNxG5qK3P1WYp2UrjGzx-F8auyvjpQgtYyjgdsu9Fh0w1sPg3a5KUOy6S/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-05-17+at+22.27.31.png" height="182" width="200" /></a></div>
Saw an online classified ad this week for a Winther child carrying bike, about half price! The same day, the <a href="http://chicago.stolenbike.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Stolen Bike Registry</a> listed a Christiania cargo trike as missing. It’s the season for lots of flux, some legitimate and some not.<br />
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We are really sad about the nice missing cargo trike, which we have passed often on our rides. Its loss inspired me to actually organize the serial numbers, photographs and descriptions of our own bikes (yes, it seems we have more than one). We already have the locks pretty much figured out — no cables, lock to some big thing at all times even at home — see <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-more-big-key-chain-for-you-create.html" target="_blank">our lock post</a>, and <a href="http://dingdingletsride.com/its-spring-aka-bike-thief-time-lock-up-your-bike/" target="_blank">Ding Ding’s take</a> on the wave of Springtime bike theft. Often you can get the serial number of your stolen bike from the dealer who sold it to you, though not always. But lately a lot of people have been recommending that we <i>register</i> our bikes too.<br />
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At a Bike Swap presentation early this spring, for example, they pointed out that even if the police find a stolen bike, they won’t release it back to the owner unless the owner can prove it belongs to him or her. The advice was to register the bike and its serial number before it gets stolen and have a picture of it, preferably with you next to the bike, so you can demonstrate it’s yours. No written down serial number often means no bike. This is a stupid but apparently pretty common policy. What is more, the police databases don’t all connect to one another, so a bike stolen in, let’s say, Evanston won’t show up on a Chicago search. University, state, city, sheriff and other police departments are also all different.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bikeshepherd.org/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmoa3cnnJv0UUDcu0SXoomzpXez7NdzG9pIqmuAM7ngGuFyPZGuPavxHoY_vNPCNbfXFA81G9DJEQcsNQMOE9KWtafpD3z_0zx8-FEGn3fjQD68e0Vi8SFDPXheYKkVy_Zn2oNZ_cIfSA/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-05-17+at+22.17.49.png" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
So I made an account on a site called <a href="http://www.bikeshepherd.org/" target="_blank">Bike Shepherd</a> via the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry <a href="http://chicago.stolenbike.org/register-with-Bike-Shepherd" target="_blank">link</a> at the top of their page and started typing. (Edit 3/2014: they now link to a noncommercial bike registry in Chicago called Bike Index, at <a href="http://bikeindex.org/">bikeindex.org</a>.) There are several registries, but this one, based in England, seems to get used and has a good reputation among bikey people we know. The site wants your name, address and email to start. So far no spam has come back, just registration emails.<br />
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The form you fill out for each bike records the serial number, purchase date and place, value, brand, model, color, frame size, description and photo. It accepts incomplete information and you can edit it later. Include anything only the owner might know (like the contact info labels you left in the handlebars or stuck inside the wheel rims).<br />
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The hardest part for us was taking the bikes outside into the light for their mugshot pictures and uploading the photos to the computer. The police officer at the bike swap suggested using an actual recent picture of your actual bicycle, not a catalog shot. Getting a version of a photo that fit on Bike Shepherd’s site (the limit is 1 Mb but smaller is apparently much better) worked best with screen shots of the photos.<br />
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The serial number can be hard to find on some bikes. Our old loop frame, for example, has such thick black paint that you have to look at just the right angle to see the numbers, on the back of the seat tube as with most Raleighs. Old Schwinns tend to have them on the head tube under the badge, or on one of the back wheel dropouts. Most more recent bikes have a serial number stamped underneath the bottom bracket — the part where the pedal cranks attach — or on a plate near the back brake. If all you find is a number sticker keep looking for a stamped metal one.<br />
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The site then sends you a PDF file with everything in one place, stores the data and prepares a “Pulse ID” number for you. You can print an ID from the PDF, or buy fancy plastic cellphone-readable stickers to put on your bike if you want. We decided to hold off for a bit on the whole Pulse thing. Maybe we’ll stick a printout in with the tubes when we fix the tires?<br />
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You can click on the record to delete a bike or mark it as sold or stolen. The data record is supposedly kept for many years, unlike police registrations which are apparently deleted after only a year or two, at least in Chicago (if you are interested, the CPD <a href="http://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath/Online%20Services/Bike%20Registration" target="_blank">bike registration page</a> is on the Chicago city website.)<br />
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That’s it. Put your password and user ID for the Bike Shepherd logon in a safe place or goodness knows what happens. Maybe send a copy of your bike’s info page to your insurance too. <br />
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Then, if your bike ever goes missing, you report it to the police, log on, list your bike as stolen, and, um, what happens? Hmm. Bikes listed in the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry don’t seem to automatically appear in Bike Shepherd, or vice versa. You’ve got to do both. Is it worth the trouble?<br />
<br />
Well, besides hiring an armed guard, there’s not a better option. And, apparently, police all over do accept the computer registration as proof of ownership. The Pulse ID might make your bike more traceable if a dumb thief leaves the sticker on. Some police departments, bike shops and used bike dealers even search the databases sometimes. This is good, but if our bike disappeared we’d surely hang flyers in local bike stores and coffee shops as well, along with ads to hire a new armed guard.<br />
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<br />
By the way, on a sort of related topic, I also talked with someone from the Chicago Transit Authority today who confirmed that a bike locked to a pole, sign, or anything that says ‘CTA’ gets cut off and taken to the clerk’s office in the garage at the end of that bus line, where it stays for an unclear amount of time. (Maybe until they decide to throw it out or ride it home?) More on <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2012/09/look-out-for-sucker-poles.html" target="_blank">our post about sucker poles</a>. They don’t try to contact the owner or report the bike to the police. Look there, too.</div>
Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-88191084720026082922013-05-19T12:44:00.001-05:002016-07-21T17:07:10.171-05:00You're Not Too Heavy to Ride a Bike!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4r1oUyzX70dEffOmdPRWWCu4xSSUpsih1Q5Q6yuN8twdK0tzf0fSZoTfXHcSr-fIWMJTXNlEnn6ZYFvJ3v3Pm-JU1vq4vsl4HSDHPUMuEXZ1mTAHxQ15gdnGjRTrLULSMw-C9wPyokW8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+01.29.03+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4r1oUyzX70dEffOmdPRWWCu4xSSUpsih1Q5Q6yuN8twdK0tzf0fSZoTfXHcSr-fIWMJTXNlEnn6ZYFvJ3v3Pm-JU1vq4vsl4HSDHPUMuEXZ1mTAHxQ15gdnGjRTrLULSMw-C9wPyokW8/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+01.29.03+.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Worksman Newsgirl bike is rated for 500 lbs / about 200 Kg capacity. We wish</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">they'd taken the picture with someone who demonstrates it.</span></td></tr>
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most recent edit 7/16<br />
<br />
Some people we know said they used to love to ride their bikes as kids but that since gaining weight as adults they don’t feel confident anymore. One worried that a bike wouldn’t carry the weight or be comfortable to ride. Another thought people would stare at a heavy person on a bike. One didn’t want to have to wear sporty biking clothes made of Spandex or sweat fabric. People worry they aren’t in good enough shape to ride.<br />
<br />
This isn’t a site for health advice, but if you ask us, there isn’t much you can do that’s healthier than riding your bike, even if you weigh a lot. (Ask your doctor if you have any doubt, but didn’t they tell you to go out and get some exercise last time you saw them?) Aerobic exercise, like riding a bike while breathing, is supposed to keep you healthy, and pedaling doesn’t wreck your ankles like jogging might. Many people say it doesn't bother their knees either, especially if the seat is high enough and set right. By the way, swimming (without the bike) is also supposed to be really good to protect joints.<br />
<br />
OK, it’s healthy, like kale. And you can move fast wherever you want. But most of all,<br />
<br />
<b>biking is fun!</b><br />
<br />
And it’s just as much fun whatever you weigh. And practical. So there.<br />
<br />
Nobody is expecting you to ride like Lance Armstrong on steroids and this whole blog is about not wearing Spandex unless you want to. No matter how heavy you are, if you feel like you’re up for it, you can start using a bike to get around and even carry your kids around, instead of whatever you are doing now. Will people stare? They might, if they see how much happier you look on your bike. Probably they won’t notice. Get a cargo bike, then they’ll notice.<br />
<br />
Don’t have a bike right now that you like? I spoke to lots of people and looked into the options for you a bit. Most normal bikes are rated to carry 220-300 lbs total but maybe your old bike is strong enough. Check the builder’s website or ask your local bike shop. Some old ones are really strong. But there are plenty of bikes available up to over 500 lb / 250 kg carrying capacity. Even heavier duty is possible with some thought.<br />
<br />
I’m thinking in this post mostly about riders over 250 lbs up to 500 lbs (about 120-225 kg).<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Features to Consider</span><br />
see also the <a href="http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/248-Clydesdales-Athenas-(200-lb-91-kg)" target="_blank">Bike Forums about this topic</a> if you can stand the title.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINMq_1Vctqqo_kR0N816JQPHi_WlULvAguPDxkSKxbuXEvmDn77ej-z9ljCogjlF-0rYiUplAZYcTz4iKJ3uuFYSeUG6VvY7w7Nls3CqLLxdnqQ7DnYvFGBBbNdGmzHa6DXHKWGAj0mE8/s1600/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINMq_1Vctqqo_kR0N816JQPHi_WlULvAguPDxkSKxbuXEvmDn77ej-z9ljCogjlF-0rYiUplAZYcTz4iKJ3uuFYSeUG6VvY7w7Nls3CqLLxdnqQ7DnYvFGBBbNdGmzHa6DXHKWGAj0mE8/s320/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A comfortable but not overstuffed saddle is a must. <br />
This one is rather wide but many kinds will work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>A <b>seat</b> that’s comfortable and sturdy enough to make it fun to ride is vital. It’s usually more comfortable to have a stiff seat that lets you shift around to keep your bottom from falling asleep. Gel seats and other overstuffed options tend to press constantly everywhere and make you numb or, you know, worse. On the other hand, lots of people like them, especially for short rides, and they are cheap and easily available.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Does it need to be wide? Maybe not. It should be wide enough for your sit bones (ischia) to fit on well. These bones are like coins at an angle to one another like a V with the point in front, so the more upright your seating position the wider a comfortable seat tends to be. Women’s bones are farther apart than men’s, so saddles are different.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So Dutch upright city bikes have a wide saddle, while narrow wheeled racing bikes where the rider leans far forward have titanium dental floss. A saddle that is narrow and short in the front won’t be in the way of your legs but a longer saddle offers more stability with something to hold onto. Some have cutouts in the middle that are supposed to keep pressure off, um, things. Weird noseless seats that look like benches or two sponges get either rave reviews or hate mail. Maybe try one?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many long-term riders choose a stiff leather saddle — it molds to your shape after some time but lets you take the pressure off when you want. The biggest manufacturer, Brooks, makes some classic saddles 20-25 cm (8-10 in) across for upright bikes that might work. They come at a relatively high cost but may be worth it if you ride often. The manufacturer's recommendation for these bikes is a <a href="http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/saddles/city+%26+heavy+duty/B190/" target="_blank">B190</a> or a B33. In Chicago, JC Lind, Blue City and Heritage have had the big ones in stock from time to time but any dealer can order them. Reinforcement with leather or shoelaces across the bottom of the saddle - you can pop lacing holes or have it done - can keep it from splaying wider with weight on it. You need to keep rain off leather saddles with a cover or they stretch.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The wide firm plastic mattress seat in the picture is another option, not sure of the manufacturer. Selle Royal makes good wide ones like on our cargo bikes. Look online for more suggestions.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPEQLaDgpxqikn5h2I_I5KgtmouXXXpvleb7YdI_QHxTM7TFh4ner_i67CgchCUL4nx82OgEIBO9HX2dxYAgwyoTaZ8KStfVZmAIusX8xFmhMXk5iNMEQWl79QadkI6dFbOzNbS3xbojI/s1600/bikes+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPEQLaDgpxqikn5h2I_I5KgtmouXXXpvleb7YdI_QHxTM7TFh4ner_i67CgchCUL4nx82OgEIBO9HX2dxYAgwyoTaZ8KStfVZmAIusX8xFmhMXk5iNMEQWl79QadkI6dFbOzNbS3xbojI/s200/bikes+06.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electroforged Schwinns<br />
have these smooth frame<br />
connections.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>When choosing a <b>frame design</b>, remember your geometry and engineering. A standard <b>men’s diamond frame</b> is nearly all triangles and therefore the strongest common option. Some add a second top bar for added capacity. Unless the materials are specially chosen to maximize capacity, a step-through style isn’t as strong, so check it out carefully and don’t try to push its limits. We have a 1960s Raleigh ladies Sports with a frame bend from overloading. Exceptions include cargo bikes and industrial bikes, often made with very large heavy steel frames and reinforcement, and probably old mountain bikes and Chicago made Schwinn electroforged step through styles (since they were so overbuilt in the first place, though check it first if you have doubts). A suspended frame or fork will just give you trouble if you are over its design capacity. And who needs a suspended bike anyway in the city?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You can argue about the <b>frame</b> <b>materials</b> many ways, but in general, all things being equal, <b>steel</b> is probably the best for a heavy duty bike. Other materials are more prone to fatigue and sudden breakage. The carrying capacity is more important than the material, but if you don’t know the specs, go for steel. </li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Assuming the frame was designed and built right, cheap high-tension steel tubing is just as capable as fancier alloys, but heavier. Lightweight alloy steel tubing (often branded — Reynolds, Ishiwata, Tange, Columbus, True Temper, Valite, etc...) is lighter for the weight it carries and therefore more expensive. But seriously, how light do you need your bike to be? A heavy bike weighs 40 lbs and a light one is 25? Big deal. Our cargobikes need 2 people to lift them and we roll just fine with up to 400-500 lbs aboard. Once you are going it just doesn’t matter. In flat Chicago anyway. The other stuff is more important than the weight of the bike.</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><b>Wheels</b>, chosen wisely, can save you trouble. <b>This, especially the back wheel, is the best place to invest in quality parts if you need an especially durable bike.</b> When a tire hits a bump, the air inside absorbs the shock and prevents the metal wheel rim from hitting the road or curb. So put a lot of air between the street and your wheel. Get wide rims with wide tires and keep them filled to the right pressure to prevent pinch flats. Common wide bike wheels should be fine up to about 350 lbs, if they have double walled rims and good quality. Like good wide mountain bike wheels, for example. Above that weight, spokes can ping and break a lot. If it happens it means that you should look into new, stronger wheels (properly tensioned, maybe with a bigger number of spokes) or at least stronger spokes. We have 12 gauge spokes on our cargo bike. Rims can also bend, though less often. <b>Tandem components</b>, made for high end bicycles built for two, are good options here.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Some people suggest making tires puncture proof with either a better than usual tube, or tire, or both. We like Schwalbe (eg Marathon, Fat Frank or Big Apple) but we’ve seen good wide options with nice street tread from Michelin, Conti, and Kenda too. The first thing we do on a used bike is take off bumpy mountain bikey tires and put on something that rolls well. Get the sidewall reflectors if you can. Many tires come in brown or cream too if you need that look. Probably there isn't much advantage to those plastic rings or things you put inside your tire to protect the tube. Spend the money instead on a decent tire.</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>If you are choosing/building <b>your own wheels</b>, talk to a good wheelbuilder about your needs. (Ask at your local bike shop or read<a href="http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tandemparts.php" target="_blank"> Peter White’s site</a> about wheels, tandem components and more high end products) Sun Rhyno Lite and Velocity Dyad and DT Swiss TK540 rims are double walled, strong, and available and keep getting mentioned by people I ask, though there are many other options. Our cargo bikes use double wall heavy duty aluminum Rigida rims. Smaller wheel sizes are somewhat stronger. Remember to choose a rim that will hold wide tires well. Consider building your wheel up with as many spokes as sensible. Wheels can be made with 40 or even 48 spokes instead of the usual 36 or racing bike 32, and you can choose thick gauge ones if necessary. You need more spokes in back than in front, like Raleigh used to use, but most bikes these days have 36 front and back. Go for stainless spokes if you can so the wheel stays shiny and new. Use tandem hub components if you need both particularly high weight bearing capacity and high performance: not cheap but extra heavy duty and often top quality, and you only want to do this once. And how about a dynamo or internal hub gear? Used on cargo bikes, these should hold up. You can’t break a pricey Rohloff hub, but a cheap Sturmey Archer AW 3-speed is nearly indestructible too. Even if you are planning a touring or racing bike, think about wider than usual rims and tires. Bicycle Quarterly, the magazine for touring bike obsessive-compulsives, has had a bunch of articles about the superiority of wide relatively low pressure tires that might add to your decision making. The BQ founder, Jan Heine, notes on his blog that <a href="http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/bicycle-quarterly-performance-of-tires/" target="_blank">"on real roads, wider tires are faster, period"</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Brakes</b> need to stop you in wet or dry, and they have got much better in recent years. This (and maybe badly tensioned thin spokes) is the main disadvantage of a vintage Schwinn or Raleigh. While any properly adjusted brake should be able to manage almost anything, if you have the option, think about hub braking (discs, drums, roller brakes, coasters) or even hydraulic brakes instead of the usual cantilever or V rim brakes. Coaster brakes are pretty strong and not affected by wet. They are used on many cargo bikes but can overheat on a long downhill stretch for example. The better roller brakes (like IM81 not IM41) are probably fine especially for the back wheel (due to the <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_p.html#powermodulator" target="_blank">power modulator</a> on the front ones). Tandem components like other drum brakes may be another option. We strongly recommend Kool Stop or Mathauser salmon pads for regular old rim brakes, especially for old steel rims or junky components. Test any brakes out before buying them if possible.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Some other sites have pointed out that <b>handlebars and stems</b> break with very heavy riders. I think they are talking about those mountain bike racing "80 grams" aluminum components being used for something like mountain bike racing, and if you get normal ones I doubt it will be an issue, especially since you shouldn't be putting that much of your weight on the bars anyway. But, if you are concerned about the weight you plan to carry on the bars and stem, get (European-style stainless) steel or heavier duty good quality aluminum ones. Ask at your local bike shop if you are not sure.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Gears</b> are helpful but you really don’t need as many as they sell. A 3 speed, maybe with a slightly lower-geared (more teeth and a new longer chain) replacement back sprocket, is fine in Chicago and most places. Up to 7 or 8 still make sense, like the Nexus 8 on our cargo bikes. The <a href="http://www.fallbrooktech.com/cycling" target="_blank">NuVinci hub</a> is like a dimmer switch instead of gears and they use it on many cargo bikes too though it is reputed to be inefficient. The fanciest and most expensive and <a href="http://hubstripping.wordpress.com/internal-gear-hub-review/" target="_blank">probably most durable</a> is the 14-speed Rohloff with a huge wide gear range. Basically anything will work, but you might want a slightly lower gearing than usual to get up hills or fight the wind slightly more easily. Most people do. We tend to prefer internal hub gears that don't get messed up in slush or mud and that allow us to use a chainguard more easily, but a good derailer system is fine, too, and easier to find. Again, if in doubt, think about tandem components.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Lighting</b> - everybody forgets lighting <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2010/11/dynamo-generator-lighting-primer.html" target="_blank">(our post here)</a>. Spend the money, get the generator hub (or tire dynamo) with <a href="http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m-hl.asp" target="_blank">LED lights</a>, whatever your weight, and use them day and night so traffic can see you well. Really. They are getting cheaper and better all the time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Accessories</b> - Metal pedals you can put your weight on are worth the extra money since many common plastic pedals won’t hold up to the rare need to stand and pump hard. The central post should certainly be metal, and go all the way to the end of the pedal. Fenders, chain guards, a strong rack and pannier bags if you are the kind of rider we are. A strong U lock or 9-12 mm hardened chain with big padlock <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-more-big-key-chain-for-you-create.html" target="_blank">(our post here)</a>. Don’t waste your money on a cable lock. All of them are as secure as a piece of string.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Types of Bikes to Consider</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Department Store Bikes</b><br />
Most bikes are legally supposed (in Europe, but it's an international supply chain) to hold about 220 lbs/100 kg without any modification. Target lists capacities between 250 and 300 lbs on most, Wal-Mart doesn’t list them. You do see some big people on these bikes. But did the manufacturer skimp on materials or quality control to meet the price point? Be careful. The weight limit includes the entire load, the weight of the bike itself, rider, cargo, everything. And the bike itself can be heavy to start with, cutting a lot into your cargo capacity. So a basic department store / big box store bike probably isn’t ideal for heavier people. Or for anybody who likes riding for that matter.<br />
<br />
<b>Dutch Style Bikes</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_xdQUcAGtcX6pmIz-vBd6MElsAZ8dhUZya8EmY9eAZyq6Kq2d77guU5-gQNN7hhyphenhyphenlWUu9QIIQPA6SU83u6t5qfIaAFIu9dBiwISstRv9ABvsodAkNYwY5KSJd5IgQuh32H3ljgtEUWZF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+12.47.24+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_xdQUcAGtcX6pmIz-vBd6MElsAZ8dhUZya8EmY9eAZyq6Kq2d77guU5-gQNN7hhyphenhyphenlWUu9QIIQPA6SU83u6t5qfIaAFIu9dBiwISstRv9ABvsodAkNYwY5KSJd5IgQuh32H3ljgtEUWZF/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+12.47.24+.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Workcycles Fr8 cross frame, one of many options</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many, many Dutch bikes will hold hundreds of pounds without complaining. We have heard in particular about Workcycles Fr-8 (carried by <a href="http://www.jclindbikes.com/" target="_blank">JC Lind</a> in Chicago) which is apparently <a href="http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/workcycles-faqs-overviews/workcycles-fr8-vs-gr8-whats-the-difference/" target="_blank">designed for 250 kg</a> = 550 lbs but there are many more. They already have most of the features above. They are also available in very tall sizes for those who are heavy <u>and</u> tall. (lots of other so called XL bikes or XXL bikes have the same weight capacity as the smallest ones - check!) There isn’t a lot to add about these bikes — you should definitely look at some. Pricing can be high but not all are.<br />
Again, the diamond or double top tube steel frames would be strongest. A strong rear wheel is good to look for. The EU capacity rating should be easily available from manufacturer websites or the dealer. All that stainless steel will hold up. This is a great way to get a heavy duty, normal looking and very versatile bike that really fits you. And a lot of these can be arranged to carry your kids or your stuff, too.<br />
<br />
<b>Regular City Bikes and Cruisers</b><br />
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTTQBMRRxJmtdsh-TKzXzu7o1fDD5TmdVvBRMHqKTMo8DFA-r84Pu22515BJamznr02S_r-Tw2KXqloYnFoLo22IDbH_-GRZmXyMpN-zcAujUxflNddF6MpEfXvSvs1y1qfyGRHUx5BNy/s1600/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTTQBMRRxJmtdsh-TKzXzu7o1fDD5TmdVvBRMHqKTMo8DFA-r84Pu22515BJamznr02S_r-Tw2KXqloYnFoLo22IDbH_-GRZmXyMpN-zcAujUxflNddF6MpEfXvSvs1y1qfyGRHUx5BNy/s320/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 7-speed Chicago Bicycles city cruiser at Working Bikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<i>Used ones</i></div>
<div>
The 7 speed Chicago Bicycles cruiser in the photo was built for a heavy rider, with wide rims and tires, drum brakes, and a firm very wide seat (detail in the picture above). These frames were made in Chicago from higher than usual quality steel. Look: 40 spoke wheels. Capacity? Probably more than just good, but no guarantee.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
An easily available old Schwinn Suburban or similar might also be perfect. Though you have to guess at weight capacity again, they were awfully sturdy welded bikes. A Schwinn frame with new wheels and brakes might be great. Raleigh Sports men's roadsters, especially those older ones with 40 spoke rear wheels, might also be a good used choice. The limiting factor is the quality of the wheels with both these bikes. They will have poor braking with their steel rims and the spokes can tend to break. You can improve braking by getting a coaster brake model or new salmon color pads. It might be worth getting new (aluminum) wheels for the indestructible old frame - choose hub components and gears you like and get the wheels done right or find a prebuilt double wall 40 spoke wheel that will fit. If you stick with the usual old 3-speed hub, lower the gears by changing the rear sprocket out if 3rd is too high. Sheldon Brown has <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html#sprockets" target="_blank">instructions</a>.<br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHAvq5iZrell4KfmetQDmwh-gWyrG951F6YmRLfoHnjIh8rZK9Iyw7d3yDeKfwkUtAg1AUeH9ApLtkn1YSy8Q-vtncy5moRDPxNmnmtB0XOjK4uSNZgYrfnC8mI2hbbRvyNuenisOTOKA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+15.02.39+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHAvq5iZrell4KfmetQDmwh-gWyrG951F6YmRLfoHnjIh8rZK9Iyw7d3yDeKfwkUtAg1AUeH9ApLtkn1YSy8Q-vtncy5moRDPxNmnmtB0XOjK4uSNZgYrfnC8mI2hbbRvyNuenisOTOKA/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+15.02.39+.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos from Worksmancycles.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceIsNLP0K8fx4xks-QTv1jdXkS5ACPD8uOSKwMyQrb-ZguBVAv-54rB4dgqGUc-Daqgw_jHi7V6f8yn11DpONT4-nWdlx9DVYGNr7yHEvQpa53o7ghXdbT9_yo2hDANC9IUoPu7MAx0_G/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+08.34.09+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceIsNLP0K8fx4xks-QTv1jdXkS5ACPD8uOSKwMyQrb-ZguBVAv-54rB4dgqGUc-Daqgw_jHi7V6f8yn11DpONT4-nWdlx9DVYGNr7yHEvQpa53o7ghXdbT9_yo2hDANC9IUoPu7MAx0_G/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+08.34.09+.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model MG-R, also rated to 500lb.<br />
This one looks a lot like one from other<br />
brands like Torker. Same bike?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>New ones</i><br />
Most commonly available bikes in this class, like let's say the <a href="http://surlybikes.com/info_hole/" target="_blank">Surly Long Haul Trucker</a>, are rated to about 300 lbs again. This is probably conservative but maybe not. There are higher capacity options, though. Nearly all <a href="http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/cruisers.html" target="_blank">Worksman bikes</a> are made in New York City and with a few options they can support up to 500 lbs starting at about $400 new, maybe doubling that price with options. They have a lot of options. Anyone dealing with bikes for big and tall people seems to recommend this brand. Cruisers, step through cruisers and <a href="http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page51.html" target="_blank">step through industrial bikes</a> are all there. They are practical in the city, often very basic but durable and strong. Classic US delivery bikes are often from this company. Call them for bikes that will handle more than 500 lb, and get a model with a front drum brake option. We like that these are made in the US by grown ups in a factory with environmental laws. They mail them to you or a local bike store to adjust and set up. We have ridden some Worksman bikes and the ones we found are simple, heavy, but sturdy and reliable seeming.<br />
<br />
There are some more up-to-date multi-gear options that your local bike shop can put together. One very heavy duty model that a local shop in Chicago can build has powerful disc brakes and a custom rear wheel made with tandem components and can be built with derailers or even a Rohloff hub.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig44w3N_vxIkPIskQnYGHsmL66Wk87GbGguqBMNJizCusbkFxDHOW1t_ebLX-wIEUwVcZFAqMvh0zRitRe2C08eYoNG8o4Pc1zL7fq8-sJnfaaaQynJ8EGh98fmTxlvbbC81suVX553nw-/s1600/Torker+at+West+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig44w3N_vxIkPIskQnYGHsmL66Wk87GbGguqBMNJizCusbkFxDHOW1t_ebLX-wIEUwVcZFAqMvh0zRitRe2C08eYoNG8o4Pc1zL7fq8-sJnfaaaQynJ8EGh98fmTxlvbbC81suVX553nw-/s200/Torker+at+West+Town.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torker for medium duty at<br />
Ciclo Urbano for about $500</td></tr>
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You could contact Alex at <a href="http://www.westtownbikes.org/" target="_blank">West Town Bikes</a>, Owen at <a href="http://www.bluecitycycles.com/" target="_blank">Blue City Cycles</a>, or Jesse at <a href="http://comradecycles.com/" target="_blank">Comrade Cycles</a> in Chicago about special frame building locally. Lots of local shops have assembled heavy duty bikes like these in many varieties - talk to one where the owners know about bikes instead of a huge bike warehouse with teenagers running it.<br />
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There are online retailers we don’t personally know whose sites offer other options. Do a web search and you’ll find many. Generally we strongly recommend that anyone who is in the market for a bike better than the cheapest Wal-Mart one-speed should go to a local dealer or two and see what their options are. One online dealer/manufacturer we just found in Vermont but haven't tried called <a href="http://www.zizebikes.com/products/zize-bikes/zize-bikes" target="_blank">Zize Bikes</a> has several interesting looking options for tall or heavy riders up to 550 lbs, with prices starting in the $1000 range. They offer city bikes and a mountain type 29er (the new name for 700c) and they carry their own Super Sized Cycles, Worksman and other brands as well. But as with most online suppliers, there are positive and negative reviews of the bikes and the customer service online that are worth reading. We haven't ridden one of their bikes yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZoklhmDnMVhlj2R1iMcGYD8IXCaQHdFVLLWNkZRkgxneqkJxRqdPdFfdlR2Ub4RKylCbt2NMzLo5PTDSEt_BtUfc-QpupNTkQifLkcWMphFMww1PYa5a1k55DMuVUe8WBsabyzCNmhiN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+08.31.53+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZoklhmDnMVhlj2R1iMcGYD8IXCaQHdFVLLWNkZRkgxneqkJxRqdPdFfdlR2Ub4RKylCbt2NMzLo5PTDSEt_BtUfc-QpupNTkQifLkcWMphFMww1PYa5a1k55DMuVUe8WBsabyzCNmhiN/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+08.31.53+.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF1U6vkXkcSe18Zf_c9nLoux7MfSCPQspuQeIqksaoFPXXKOaeBVzPhsDM1Ed0Ip51MVWV9Ia5XO5V1095sNvmTA1cFVilWpZhuChUylilwQ9lAcr-B-1ltB-DEpzUKgwd8MgH3EG0NRH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.28.09+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF1U6vkXkcSe18Zf_c9nLoux7MfSCPQspuQeIqksaoFPXXKOaeBVzPhsDM1Ed0Ip51MVWV9Ia5XO5V1095sNvmTA1cFVilWpZhuChUylilwQ9lAcr-B-1ltB-DEpzUKgwd8MgH3EG0NRH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.28.09+.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worksman M2600 here, men’s cruiser at left,<br />
photos from Worksman's web site.</td></tr>
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<b>Old Mountain Bikes</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAfIjl_CkkiO0R7jCH_g39zLdS0fx2RSvR9HwxmfH81Jsr066K_to_Vh3s2tdi5gVmLMDJjY_LvKwLbvn-Wf6kNflDA-EfjDVELZARNW6mFVct35WWjadKO8LNTy8uwnlLrrhvBje7EaH/s1600/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAfIjl_CkkiO0R7jCH_g39zLdS0fx2RSvR9HwxmfH81Jsr066K_to_Vh3s2tdi5gVmLMDJjY_LvKwLbvn-Wf6kNflDA-EfjDVELZARNW6mFVct35WWjadKO8LNTy8uwnlLrrhvBje7EaH/s320/Heavy+Duty+Bikes+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old Hard Rock mountain bikes at Working Bikes, about $200</td></tr>
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These could be a suprisingly good option for people on the lower end of heavy. Though impractical in the city with no fenders or chain guard, the real ones (all cr/mo tool steel, preferably no suspension, Deore level components if possible) have frames built for abuse, wide tires and good brakes. A reader comment below notes that the spokes are possibly the weak link, so you may want to look into the cost of a new set of wheels, or a new tandem level rear wheel at least, or just spoke replacement. Fake mountain bikes (mountain style bikes) are less ideal but still can be OK. Don’t get a suspension frame, and swap out the handlebars, stem and seat post if needed for something stronger. Did you see <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/dutch-bikes-build-em-yourself-take-2_05.html" target="_blank">our post about turning one into a city bike</a>? Totcycle apparently did one before us too.<br />
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<b>Cargo Bikes and More</b><br />
Our cargo bikes hold the grownup rider, 3 kids, backpacks, groceries, locks, and the weight of the bike itself. It all adds up to 400 pounds often enough and sometimes 500. A rider in this range plus kids and stuff might exceed the official rating on our Bakfiets but I doubt there would be much problem. In all this time, we have only broken one spoke on a Bakfiets so far. The Onderwater can probably take even more than that. Ask the dealer about it - <a href="http://www.jclindbikes.com/" target="_blank">JC Lind</a> has lots of options for you and there are others linked on <a href="http://www.chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank">our cargobike post</a>.<br />
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These things are incredibly practical and you can use them for errands and shopping really easily in addition to carrying kids. Most on the market, with a good seat, will be fine. The manufacturers do list the weight capacities and the dealer will be able to find out.<br />
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Depending on your needs, you may prefer a two wheeled bike like our Bakfiets Cargobike, which feels like riding a normal bike, or you might choose a trike instead, which is odd to ride over anything but perfectly level ground but holds itself up better while stopped. Look at our <a href="http://www.chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank">About Cargobikes page</a> and our <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/trying-out-cargo-trikes.html" target="_blank">Cargo Trike post</a> for most of the information we can offer about these bikes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k6b2LDheZLs46RS7_mttpE9N6hMKwi3gQ0mu11NDjAcSwjiW-3Plnrhn64R1MGSgAbl8GEV-hj1u3iKlRBJ-zs0ksOVrppPlHavou1JaXYchISyWsIhNCBFLU9UxUaJM2mYgeLX9-uDQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.34.10+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k6b2LDheZLs46RS7_mttpE9N6hMKwi3gQ0mu11NDjAcSwjiW-3Plnrhn64R1MGSgAbl8GEV-hj1u3iKlRBJ-zs0ksOVrppPlHavou1JaXYchISyWsIhNCBFLU9UxUaJM2mYgeLX9-uDQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.34.10+.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worksman's idea of a cargo bike<br />
isn't our favorite but it’d work maybe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZjbKsxQksJ0P7QwOgbIZFAaknWhBsNaLqJrOl9GU6LtLQ4GO8qvkinmDHiL5OWxFxLdS2sdmZOJbDNXl-e0x-whXO9bp2917EcnYcOyJMGHKsHhjlp2JsrZgcS15y8XfV3oE0DE1zLGt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.47.12+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZjbKsxQksJ0P7QwOgbIZFAaknWhBsNaLqJrOl9GU6LtLQ4GO8qvkinmDHiL5OWxFxLdS2sdmZOJbDNXl-e0x-whXO9bp2917EcnYcOyJMGHKsHhjlp2JsrZgcS15y8XfV3oE0DE1zLGt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.47.12+.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuba Mundo longtail, similar <br />
to Surly Big Dummy, rated at 440 lbs.<br />
Carry your kids with you!</td></tr>
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A longtail like a Yuba Mundo or Surly Big Dummy (which has large frame sizes) might work well for many since it is easy to find, like a regular bike but rated for 400-440 lbs, <a href="http://cyclinggypsies.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/a-tale-of-two-longtails/" target="_blank">used for more than that</a>, and you can carry kids or stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.pedicab.com/pedicabs-classic-pedicab.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopyA8Tvvwr5WzQ7AscNm49_-gDvzlyCaC1y0gSUnK9IPeDp17oqU2ATfBe275L7UqEN917vi92TN252SkDr-KPBRpbWnQRveDqkk1vRP0Ckr4KOXSZHUavJKEa7XW_yVrej0L2jILZs6n/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+11.21.39+.png" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pedicab.com/pedicabs-classic-pedicab.html" target="_blank">Main Street classic pedicab, $3600, probably more than you need but it’s another option.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRXeUPyXAcjzdi0XjLOXjKe3wQ99_G5_aVqtMMYoCepjv1j7AwfKF4s_QplOXlzlGdUzoYqEMENZYkNBRF9uMy1qaGGOav3bQa2o0p3rM1KaS-EQs6AlL04h71Qs9rAvvU4UeUVEXQFkh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.50.52+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRXeUPyXAcjzdi0XjLOXjKe3wQ99_G5_aVqtMMYoCepjv1j7AwfKF4s_QplOXlzlGdUzoYqEMENZYkNBRF9uMy1qaGGOav3bQa2o0p3rM1KaS-EQs6AlL04h71Qs9rAvvU4UeUVEXQFkh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-19+at+10.50.52+.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worksman low gravity</td></tr>
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A ‘low gravity’ baker’s bike may also manage your needs well. Many builders make them; see our <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank">About Cargobikes</a> post.<br />
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Other cargo bikes are still available from many, many dealers, including JC Lind in Chicago, Clever Cycles in Portland, and Rolling Orange in New York. Again, the <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/p/about-cargobikes.html" target="_blank">About Cargobikes</a> post has information about many options including trikes.<br />
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Worksman has some options in this market as well. Their bikes are clunkier than the Dutch ones and they have fewer comfort options like hub dynamos or wide gearing, but they are less expensive and very durable. Look at their <a href="http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/movers.html" target="_blank">industrial and recumbent trikes</a> and <a href="http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/frontload.html" target="_blank">cargo hauler trikes with quarter ton capacities</a>. They have a pedicab like option if you want to carry 2 other people around with you. Their website is awful though — use the navigation at the top or search.<br />
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<b>Recumbents</b><br />
This solution keeps being suggested to us. They have the advantage of not needing to throw your leg way up over the bar and they have a big plush seat with a backrest. Hard to carry in or on your car anywhere. Worksman has a semirecumbent trike that is rated for weight, but many recumbents are rated only for a few hundred pounds. There are specialty recumbent shops about one per state that can help you. A good option for comfort. Are they as safe in traffic? Probably yes, but they always make me a little nervous. And not all of them are rated for much weight.<br />
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<b>Trikes</b><br />
Look at <a href="http://chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/08/trying-out-cargo-trikes.html" target="_blank">our trike page</a> and the trike pages above. Regular trikes like the ones you imagine rolling around Florida are OK but many are rated only to 250 lbs and they are clunky. Cargo trikes or industrial trikes are a better choice here, I think.<br />
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Here is a German made recumbent cargo trike that is certified to 300 kg/650 lbs and configurable in many ways: <a href="http://trimobil.net/index.php/trimobile/gt-trimobil" target="_blank">trimobil concept page</a>. The more well-known <a href="http://www.greenspeed.com.au/faq.html#FAT" target="_blank">Greenspeed recumbent trikes</a> can also build versions up to about 200kg /440 lbs but they don't carry cargo well. We have a Sun EZ-3 recumbent trike that is OK for getting around; not much room for luggage on this one either.<br />
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<b>Adaptive Bikes </b><br />
If you can’t find something that meets your needs there are plenty of options and custom builders. <a href="http://dingdingletsride.com/adaptive-bikes/" target="_blank">Ding Ding has a source page</a> which concentrates mostly on therapeutic bikes but the same companies can put together many customized options, JC Lind still can get adaptive bikes from Holland, and Worksman (again) builds custom jobs. Give one of these companies a call - you won't be the first.<br />
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<b>More Info</b><br />
We searched online again for 'heavy rider bicycle' and 'xxl bike' and similar terms. One blog post that popped up is <a href="http://isolatecyclist.bostonbiker.org/2011/09/26/bicycle-weight-limits/" target="_blank">this one from isolate cyclist</a>. Another blog is all about this, <a href="http://bigbonedbiker.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Big Boned Biker</a>. And the <a href="http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/248-Clydesdales-Athenas-%28200-lb-91-kg%29" target="_blank">Bike Forums noted above</a> are still active. Add more suggestions below - we will try to let real links (not ads) get through the filter.</div>
Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-61762455332796143422013-05-18T00:08:00.000-05:002013-05-18T07:14:48.601-05:00Lulla-bikes at the Humboldt Park Lagoon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VmnLGoN6ibs3mBuPVbhrhu5-sKSLTi7gqrhiMNC9c6FuXcgMTYPykix0zMz7Sgl9vbOw1Hr99TW8XEnU2xRgixMOJJ-SoQHchqNjoh4iCCOrKMUNjVuJP7TL9PqdzA88lrDk2U9imzXh/s1600/lullabike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VmnLGoN6ibs3mBuPVbhrhu5-sKSLTi7gqrhiMNC9c6FuXcgMTYPykix0zMz7Sgl9vbOw1Hr99TW8XEnU2xRgixMOJJ-SoQHchqNjoh4iCCOrKMUNjVuJP7TL9PqdzA88lrDk2U9imzXh/s400/lullabike+1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Lulla-Bikes led the audience around the lagoon<br />to discover its mysterious scenes</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://opera-matic.org/" target="_blank">Opera-Matic</a> had a performance at Humboldt Park last week called <i>New Moon On the Lagoon</i>, featuring these "Lulla-Bikes" built at West Town Bikes, the Moon, a downed pilot, many flashlights, and a lit-up whale. The Moon snoozed and the audience sang it lullabies. Later the Moon sang back. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgba(21, 23, 26, 0.496094); font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">Follow the Lulla-Bikes and the lullaby leader, and sing your </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgba(21, 23, 26, 0.496094); font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">way to each lost light station. At each station, the parade </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgba(21, 23, 26, 0.496094); font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">will join together to help each lost light find its way with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgba(21, 23, 26, 0.496094); font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">flashlight serenade. </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The performance made slightly more sense at the time, but the main event was a big walk around the lagoon led by lulla-bikes while singing and playing with flashlights. Some of us got pretty wet in the lagoon, too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you get a chance to see Opera-Matic turning a public space near you into a community spectacle, it's worth a visit. Look at their <a href="http://opera-matic.org/upcoming-events/" target="_blank">upcoming events</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhofEanIZIB7Ar5Ip7gRCDIhZg77J6rQjypHtysUkuF17Z0blmNEB6S4rE6SO6cHpM6xHDUT0whCkUENOnynijgZk5L4RUnmNK84uNI-2KSTy-VyvTsYtMJuUSUeLZqsRLYtucn2__Jgq/s1600/lullabike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhofEanIZIB7Ar5Ip7gRCDIhZg77J6rQjypHtysUkuF17Z0blmNEB6S4rE6SO6cHpM6xHDUT0whCkUENOnynijgZk5L4RUnmNK84uNI-2KSTy-VyvTsYtMJuUSUeLZqsRLYtucn2__Jgq/s200/lullabike+2.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hop! Hop! Hop!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coquis in Humboldt PArk!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-16055331049272510512013-05-12T14:55:00.003-05:002013-05-19T22:07:17.806-05:00Happy Mother's DayHappy Mothers Day to all moms today — on two wheels and none.<br />
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I had the typical perfect moment on my bike downtown last week speeding along on the black loop frame with my youngest in the child seat. I pulled off of the pedestrian choked Riverwalk onto Wacker a block before my turn onto the Dearborn lane. I'd ridden/walked a good part of the sidewalk west but took the short block in the street knowing that even walking my bike in the cramped lunch crowd was stressing both me and plenty of the other pedestrians around me.<br />
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Taking my turn north onto the thankfully somewhat protected and now incredibly wonderfully plated Dearborn bridge I spied a favorite veteran bike advocate rolling along south right next to me. He gave me a cheerful smile and little wave.<br />
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In the minute after he passed me, a woman driving a huge SUV hurriedly pulled as close to me as possible and rolled down her window to shout angrily down to me that I belonged on the sidewalk with that child. She then hit the gas and aggressively accelerated away. Just so I'd get the message. Mom to Mom possibly.<br />
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This combination of affirmation and slap in the face is not usually so well timed. Curiously most of the moms I know experience a variation on this theme in and out of their days on a bike with children (though of course these things can happen sometimes not on a bike at all). The experience of getting yelled at on your bike with your kids can be especially painful, funny, or both depending.<br />
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Trading stories when other riding parents find each other at the park, as happened this week, takes the sting out of the bike shouting. The SUV lady was a whole lot less scary on the other side of the admittedly tiny flimsy plastic bollard that separated us. She might have been far more terrifying on Wacker if she had been able to catch me sooner in the traffic. She was definitely much funnier described in retrospect in the sunny park with friends days later.<br />
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If you happen to meet my SUV lady this week in some form riding or just struggling in the grocery store know that if I can't meet you in the park to laugh it off I definitely wish I could. Yay for moms --rolling and not!Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682899986857040901.post-38953502946344897812013-05-07T23:18:00.000-05:002014-03-23T22:59:46.551-05:00How Not to Bike to School on National Bike to School Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In honor of Bike to School Day on Wednesday our school bike train will take an extra trip this week. A friend emailed me today asking for suggestions for a video she is doing with a company here in Chicago to promote cycling to school. Her note put me in the mind of how annual bike weeks and days can encourage new riding and I must admit made me a little grumpy. Grumpy, because every day should be bike to school day. Except that no one will make a commitment to change the streets to create a place for children to actually ride to school. I think that any company or entity promoting Bike to School Day should be putting their energy into creating safe separated infrastructure for children to use in Chicago and everywhere else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Failing that happening this week here is our list of ways to begin to bike to school if you are out for your maiden voyage this week. If you are not really prepared consider taking your first ride a day or so after Bike to School Day and make it your own personal holiday. You will see our tips involve simple but purposeful planning ahead a few days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Don’t take a broken or untuned bike out yourself or put your kid on one to go to school.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead, in the days before heading out, c</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">heck all bikes fit and are tuned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Don't take out a child who has unpracticed riding skills</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Children biking to school should have a decent command of stops and turns and basic bicycle handling. Practice in an non trafficked park or campus to give your child a chance to practice. Practice street riding before taking a school trip on a weekend to time and anticipate any problems with your route. See below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Don't strike out with your child on a totally untested route to school</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instead, take the time to create a safe and realistic route. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are our tips for organizing a good long term safe route to your child's school:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3djr9iskMMXae6C6VnSOdjSUm1ecl1fBUyRYKe3d-YQUr_cS2aAFM4ZED5P4UoX2Oj_C1SZp7wsVD7NUAi7h4gHCVSVQf9CZ1c4StILFhLtShzEpH5qbG_Q6vv9TyKv2G6FEDP68uK37/s1600/streets+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3djr9iskMMXae6C6VnSOdjSUm1ecl1fBUyRYKe3d-YQUr_cS2aAFM4ZED5P4UoX2Oj_C1SZp7wsVD7NUAi7h4gHCVSVQf9CZ1c4StILFhLtShzEpH5qbG_Q6vv9TyKv2G6FEDP68uK37/s200/streets+2.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Choose a quiet less trafficked route to your child’s school and test it out on a couple of rides without your child. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Note that traffic can vary and you want to scout out potential hazards before you go.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you create a route choose crossings that have stoplights and four way stops to optimize safety crossing the street</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep your eye on places that might have broken or choppy pavement.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spots with lots of parked cars can be more apt to have people in them getting out in the mornings so be on the lookout to prevent dooring.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Note that the best route home may be totally different in terms of traffic. Try to test your route both ways.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remember that sidewalk riding has its own hazards and that children are unexpected in intersections as they come off of the sidewalk onto the street. We have a tidy little post on sidewalk riding that has lots of information about ways to safely move from the sidewalk to the street.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We usually ride behind and slightly to the left of our children so that we can see them ahead of us and can be aware of cars passing before they pass our kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Don't ride with your kid's backpack straps hanging in their or your wheels</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Organize a packing strategy in the day or so before heading off</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When packing up school bags, mind hanging straps and close packs so everything doesn’t fall out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepack the night before and have a good plan for breakfast (maybe pack those lunches too)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-_Pchnrk0Ee9MueRuO213lyrKw3QZVjFkK-tC06Nl116CpgoyqB9demB-z3qgM-NM7VEXGGVjHJBKCgz30214YzcBU5F5AvwW2LhYOswQK2z2To4mOduf9LYZWJt_oyaCIav1PIB_vFB/s1600/bad+lock+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-_Pchnrk0Ee9MueRuO213lyrKw3QZVjFkK-tC06Nl116CpgoyqB9demB-z3qgM-NM7VEXGGVjHJBKCgz30214YzcBU5F5AvwW2LhYOswQK2z2To4mOduf9LYZWJt_oyaCIav1PIB_vFB/s200/bad+lock+1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Don't park your bike poorly </b> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a locking strategy a few days ahead of taking your bikes to school. Get a solid lock and make sure you have your key, plan how to safely lock the bike to prevent theft, and practice a few times. Don't let you or your child lock a bike through a wheel or outside of the frame of any bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Don't forget to stay out of the door zone and have fun</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Taking the first ride can be a little nerve wracking but hopefully with good planning you are ready for the best ride possible. Have a great and safe time. Bon Voyage</b></span><br />
<br />Chicargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166650767505966551noreply@blogger.com0