Posts by BenWilson
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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Lilith __,
Yes, it's possible (though hopefully not) that the compulsory cycle law could be the major social obstacle to the Copenhagenization of Christchurch.
I Gandhi this one a lot.
I always used to enjoy watching what the Dutch could carry on their way to work. Best thing I saw was a double-bass.
Prettiest thing I saw was a bike with two gorgeous girls on it, both dressed as if they were going clubbing. One was sitting side-saddle on the frame. Neither wore a helmet and both were wearing heels.
I think lycra puts off would be cyclists a lot more than the helmet laws. Just putting it out there.
Hard to know for sure, the helmet being compulsory feels a lot more intrusive than the non-compulsory lycra. Also, the helmet fucks up your hair, which I expect matters to women a lot more.
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Comfort wise, I have to say that commando beats all. It's the hygiene aspect that's challenged. Even then, it's called commando for a reason, soldiers in hot climates found underwear to cause higher rates of various problems. Admittedly, soldiers in the jungle don't usually have a nice drawer full of clean, dry undies.
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I'd actually go further with my point above, that every kind of public transport should be sold to motorists as enhancing what they do. Because it does. Every person on a bus or a train or a bike is a car off the road, which makes driving a little bit easier. In fact, it's better than building roads for motorists, because it's a shitload cheaper.
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• Much higher taxation on petrol
• High taxes on new and imported secondhand motor vehiclesToo much stick! The carrot of improving cycling infrastructure is a better idea. The idea of putting a sin tax on petrol use causes more harm than good, IMHO.
In other words, a) New Zealand's infatuation with Australia is infantile, b) high petrol taxes and lots of bicycles are an essential component of a thriving economy.
Australia is actually quite a cool place, you know. Number one destination for New Zealanders for a reason. High petrol taxes are justified if they are being spent on improvements to transport infrastructure, not as a sin tax. I consider improvements to cycling infrastructure to be of benefit to motorists as well, one of the better returns you can get. Sell it that way rather than slamming 95% of NZers about their cars - that will just alienate the cycling cause. Rural people would be particularly bitter on being taxed just because city slickers on bikes don't like their style. Similarly with the enormous demographic who occupy the outer suburbs. If on the other hand, cycle paths that made their kids safer on the road were to become widespread, it's a pretty easy sell.
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I lycra up on my commute, but for anything under 10k it's not worth bothering with.
With the training you do, I expect you haven't even warmed up by that point?
Who, these days can repair anything? who can change a tap washer or a tyre. Or repack a flange or even rewind an armature?
Actually, it gets worse. I had to "fix" the bicycle I lent my sister a few weeks ago. After mucking around for ages searching for the hole, I realized all that was wrong with it was that she had not understood how to operate the hand pump, and it was just a bit flat.
Anyway there's nothing stopping you getting a simple cheap bike and riding at all. Who's going to laugh at you? Not me, or anyone here.
You've never been mocked? I'd love to say I'm so cool all people ever do is high-five me as I ride past, but actually....and I don't wear lycra.
Wear what you want my friend. Frankly the lycra brigade is just happy to see other people on bikes.
Yes, I've never been given any shit by them. The closest I get to any reproach is the contemptuous ease with which they pass me. Also, if I ever stop to check the bike out, they're usually the kind of people who will ask if I need a hand. I see them as enthusiasts, just a different and in many ways complimentary class. We wouldn't have the amazingly good bikes we have now without those kind of people, just as so many improvements in cars come from car racing.
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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Ian Dalziel,
I'm thinking you mean the wonderful Gallic invention, the Vélosolex rather than the home conversions...
I saw about 4 of those on TradeMe yesterday. But they're quite a bit better than a standard bicycle conversion.
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That 3% were all married men, except one… who was single, ladies.
When I was single I was that guy. But that was because I went commando. Curiously, it was my first girlfriend who talked me into this habit, I think it was for pervy reasons. People were always rather shocked about it, which never put me off. In the end, I realized it just caused more wear and tear on my pants, which cost heaps more than undies. Also random occasions where I want the kind of speed of access that only commando can provide just don't come up as much as they used to.
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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to JackElder,
Twin this with the fact that a lot of people who haven't ridden in a while balk at spending $800 on a bike ("But you can get them at K-Mart for $150!")
Guilty as charged. Then I rode each one and realized that the extra $650 was worth it, to get a bike you actually use.
That said, if it's done right, the bikes do sell. The Wellington Regional Council is currently subsidising folding bikes for commuters, and they're selling out as fast as places can get them in. There's demand for it.
Yeah, I gave my one to my sister, and it actually saved me money, didn't have to give her any more lifts. She reckons she's constantly getting praise for the bike, people think they look cool. It's actually not a nice bike to ride, but it's good for short trips, and she lives in the city so that's all she does. And she can stash it easily, or chuck it in the boot of a car if someone offers a lift.
I mostly used it when I went somewhere in my car, then got drunk. I'd save myself one cab fare by riding back to the car to collect it in the morning, chucking it in the boot. It paid for itself in about 4 such sessions (they're pretty cheap). It was also occasionally useful when there just wasn't any parking, or I didn't want to pay for it. Could drop the family right at the location, then park a mile away and ride back.
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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Alice Ronald,
Yeah, it's crazy how many things could fail. Considering you can get a brand new moped which has actually been WOF tested for under $1000 from a shop. But I think these kind of devices are more about the mad-inventor thing than as practical transport.
Edit: OK so those ones don't need WOFs...I forgot about that.
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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Geoff Lealand,
Are these still around?
Yes, converting a bike to a gas powered scooter is still done. The kits are actually quite cheap, cheaper than an electric conversion (most of the price is the battery) That's another pressure on the pedal-electrics - of course they get waaaay better range because you just stick some more petrol in them.
Personally I think they're stupidly dangerous. Get a motorbike if you want a motorbike.
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