I would make one additional improvement of adding slightly different sized bikes. I tried out a bike share over the summer but couldn’t start easily because I’m too short. It was on the lowest possible seat setting. I imagine the tallest residents might have a similar problem with the maximum height.
So glad you wrote this! In my small city, the bike share program has expanded to 0.5 mile from my house. I love the idea of it and want to support it, so I will walk to the bike share station, rent an e-bike and zip the rest of the 2.5 miles downtown to my office. I agree - it is so liberating to just get off the bike and walk away! I try to run the 3 miles home from my office at least once a week, and this has been a great way of working that movement in to my day/week. Full disclosure: I am a regular bike commuter the rest of the time, so this is a not a huge habit shift for me. But I love being multi-modal transportation-wise when I can and it's a great option for switching up my commute. I spend so much of my time/day sitting in one spot for my job, moving my body the rest of the day has become a priority!
When our bike share used to be a full mile away and my determined neighbor would walk there to use it: I'm glad you're doing the same. Advocate to the city to bring it to you to make it even more convenient!
I live across from an e-bike shop in a small city that’s practically a suburb of Denver but separated from the metro area by about a 15 minute drive on I-25. There aren’t many bikes in our roads and zero public transportation. I have a 10-min drive to the nearest light rail station. But when my youngest goes off the New Zealand for college and my apartment lease expires, I’m moving back into Denver and have considered using bike share up there or getting an e-bike myself. Denver’s public transportation is nothing like NY’s and it would be really difficult to completely give up my car. But the thought is intriguing and is one of the many reasons living in a European city appeals to me.
And I too need to get off Substack until after the election because I lose so much time scrolling the political notes!
My neighbor works for a cycling advocacy non profit and went to Denver last year and got around solely on bike, so it's possible. (I also remember that Denver was giving generous rebates to people who bough ebikes, but that may have ended.) Maybe bike + Zipcar when you make the move?
You mentioned wanting a vest, I bike all over San Francisco and wear my Vespertine vest every time I ride. I love it and they are made in NYC. https://vespertinenyc.com/
Love biking in a city! Glad you’ve been enjoying it.
My husband just bought an ebike and Austin Energy sent us a rebate that covered a good chunk of the cost. It's worth checking to see if your city has a rebate program if you're looking to buy!
That's great! I am so happy to hear about more cities doing rebates. Also! Corporations will often pay for your bike share subscription, if you use it to commute, I should have mentioned that!
I didn’t know about collapsing helmets! Cool! I am an e-bike owner and I’m 5’3” and pretty small framed and I agree - I feel like I’m the minimum size to ride one and I’m still often made uneasy by the height and weight.
I am a dedicated e-bike commuter (on a break onesie to temporary health challenges). And the biggest takeaway is: bike riding is absolutely joyful. 💕💯☺️
It was SO FUN. Truly a joyful night all around from that happy bike ride there, to the hysterical conversation with Lara E. on the way to the subway at the end of the night. And I loved the movie ;)
Just shared this post—appreciate your work! I didn’t cancel the Post either but the non-endorsement was enough to get me to (finally) cancel Prime. I downloaded the EBay app to source used goods.
I love that you covered this topic. Ebikes are indeed revolutionary! Because we own a cargo eBike, our family makes life work with just one car, instead of two (common in Portland, I realize less so in NYC). Ebikes make biking accessible to people who wouldn't otherwise bike, and I completely agree about the amazingness of shared bikes. They're a true game-changer. We own a bike because we have two kids to schlep around and space to store the bike.
Navigating a city on bike is a deeply connecting experience. It brings a city down to a human scale, and you feel so connected to the other people you pass, the buildings you see, and the sensory feeling of a place. You're so insulated from all of that in a car.
Along with getting a massage and attending a yoga class, I always try to book a bike tour or rent a bike whenever I travel to a new place. These experiences make me feel so much more integrated into a place somehow.
I would make one additional improvement of adding slightly different sized bikes. I tried out a bike share over the summer but couldn’t start easily because I’m too short. It was on the lowest possible seat setting. I imagine the tallest residents might have a similar problem with the maximum height.
YES: 100 percent. My son is 5’ (the same height as his babysitter and teacher) and cannot ride one, in part because they are so heavy.
So glad you wrote this! In my small city, the bike share program has expanded to 0.5 mile from my house. I love the idea of it and want to support it, so I will walk to the bike share station, rent an e-bike and zip the rest of the 2.5 miles downtown to my office. I agree - it is so liberating to just get off the bike and walk away! I try to run the 3 miles home from my office at least once a week, and this has been a great way of working that movement in to my day/week. Full disclosure: I am a regular bike commuter the rest of the time, so this is a not a huge habit shift for me. But I love being multi-modal transportation-wise when I can and it's a great option for switching up my commute. I spend so much of my time/day sitting in one spot for my job, moving my body the rest of the day has become a priority!
When our bike share used to be a full mile away and my determined neighbor would walk there to use it: I'm glad you're doing the same. Advocate to the city to bring it to you to make it even more convenient!
I live across from an e-bike shop in a small city that’s practically a suburb of Denver but separated from the metro area by about a 15 minute drive on I-25. There aren’t many bikes in our roads and zero public transportation. I have a 10-min drive to the nearest light rail station. But when my youngest goes off the New Zealand for college and my apartment lease expires, I’m moving back into Denver and have considered using bike share up there or getting an e-bike myself. Denver’s public transportation is nothing like NY’s and it would be really difficult to completely give up my car. But the thought is intriguing and is one of the many reasons living in a European city appeals to me.
And I too need to get off Substack until after the election because I lose so much time scrolling the political notes!
My neighbor works for a cycling advocacy non profit and went to Denver last year and got around solely on bike, so it's possible. (I also remember that Denver was giving generous rebates to people who bough ebikes, but that may have ended.) Maybe bike + Zipcar when you make the move?
You mentioned wanting a vest, I bike all over San Francisco and wear my Vespertine vest every time I ride. I love it and they are made in NYC. https://vespertinenyc.com/
Love biking in a city! Glad you’ve been enjoying it.
Thanks for the tip: a chic vest!! Love that it folds up into a little pouch too
My husband just bought an ebike and Austin Energy sent us a rebate that covered a good chunk of the cost. It's worth checking to see if your city has a rebate program if you're looking to buy!
That's great! I am so happy to hear about more cities doing rebates. Also! Corporations will often pay for your bike share subscription, if you use it to commute, I should have mentioned that!
I didn’t know about collapsing helmets! Cool! I am an e-bike owner and I’m 5’3” and pretty small framed and I agree - I feel like I’m the minimum size to ride one and I’m still often made uneasy by the height and weight.
The helmet is still a little cumbersome, but you can tuck it into a backpack or tote, which is huge.
This is also my favorite way of getting around larger cities as a visitor. So much more to discover this way, and lots of money saved.
Yes, me too! I remember the first time I robe the Velib (circa 2009, maybe?) in Paris it was a revelation!
I am a dedicated e-bike commuter (on a break onesie to temporary health challenges). And the biggest takeaway is: bike riding is absolutely joyful. 💕💯☺️
Yes! Agree wholeheartedly
Same for bike sharing! Also, how fun was that party!? So glad you were there! xx
It was SO FUN. Truly a joyful night all around from that happy bike ride there, to the hysterical conversation with Lara E. on the way to the subway at the end of the night. And I loved the movie ;)
Just shared this post—appreciate your work! I didn’t cancel the Post either but the non-endorsement was enough to get me to (finally) cancel Prime. I downloaded the EBay app to source used goods.
Thank you for sharing and yay for ebay!
I would support your newsletter no matter who you were voting for, and I love your book.
Thank you Ashley! I am glad to hear it.
I love that you covered this topic. Ebikes are indeed revolutionary! Because we own a cargo eBike, our family makes life work with just one car, instead of two (common in Portland, I realize less so in NYC). Ebikes make biking accessible to people who wouldn't otherwise bike, and I completely agree about the amazingness of shared bikes. They're a true game-changer. We own a bike because we have two kids to schlep around and space to store the bike.
Navigating a city on bike is a deeply connecting experience. It brings a city down to a human scale, and you feel so connected to the other people you pass, the buildings you see, and the sensory feeling of a place. You're so insulated from all of that in a car.
Along with getting a massage and attending a yoga class, I always try to book a bike tour or rent a bike whenever I travel to a new place. These experiences make me feel so much more integrated into a place somehow.