Comments on: Commute train

By: Jett

Jett — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:54:26 +0000

Out on the Edge of Darkness there rides a Bike Train. Apologies to Cat Stevens, but his song is so appropriate:

Now I’ve been happy lately
thinking about the good things to come
and I believe it could be
something good has begun

This morning we rode a route I published recently. Jeff from the next town over and I enjoyed each other’s company on our ride in. Smiles all around.

By: david p.

david p. — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:51:23 +0000

this is a great idea. i’d love to do it.

i ride from the westside (LA) to downtown every day. i go along venice until i hit fig. then north on fig to the 2nd street tunnel. anyone along venice is more than welcome to hitch a long.

altough, i’ve learned that riding with other people (you don’t know)… sometimes brings out differences in riding habits. sometimes its not a big deal, but what if the person you are with likes to fudge red lights. kind of weird.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:57:25 +0000

Most days I solo, but sometimes I hook up spontaneously with other riders along Shoal Creek Blvd which is an awesome commuter corridor in Austin TX. It’s mostly shaded with wide bike lanes and highly populated with bikers, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is nice. My commute is about 9km each way, and riding with other commuters is worth at least 2-3km/h boost on my cruising speed. It’s a combination of competition and comaraderie.

By: Chris C.

Chris C. — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:29:22 +0000

oops!… just kidding!

By: Fritz

Fritz — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:08:18 +0000

I’m awed by the enthusiasm at this.

I’ve discovered that the BIkePortland site has a “BikePool Connections” forum. Noah, Chris and a couple of others are talking about creating something like this on a national basis.

I hope I’m not letting the cat out of the bag too early (way too early?), but the domain Bikepooling.org was reserved last night just for this purpose of creating a national (or international?) bike pool resource. I envisioned a forum or bulletin board type of thing at first like the Bike Portland resource, but maybe a mashup something like a Bikely for commuters might be the result.

By: Jett

Jett — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:27:12 +0000

Just yesterday, I was cleaning up my desk when I considered tossing a flyer from Atlanta’s Bike to Work day back in May. I had held onto the flyer remembering how nice it was to ride that day. I tossed the flyer, but it occurred to me I could probably assemble enough riders to at least kick off a monthly if not weekly bike to work day.

You can imagine my surprise at reading this post and finding that I’m not alone in these thoughts.

It must be a sign. We have to do this.

By: JiMCi

JiMCi — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:32:34 +0000

I did think about riding with other commuters some time ago but it wouldn’t work for me since I commute FROM downtown TO the suburbs; everybody else seems to be going the other way! However, I have a suggestion for you guys. Try posting a little sign at a place that would be a good gathering point, reading sowewhat like “Bike commuter trains. Departures at :00, :15, :30, and :45 (or at :00, :10, etc) past the hour.” You never know, next time you ride by the sign, there might be commuters checking their watch for the next departure!

By: sygyzy

sygyzy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:46:20 +0000

I think this is a great idea. Someone should make a national website where anyone can organize local trains.

By: John

John — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:20:59 +0000

I’m always alone. 8>(

By: Chris C.

Chris C. — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:53:10 +0000

Fritz,

I take San Thomas Expressway > Scott Blvd. > San Thomas Bike Path > Baylands > Caribbean. There are several riders on my route, we just need to get organized.