Poll
Question:
Bike vs. Bicycle
Option 1: Old Motorcycle
votes: 1
Option 2: Bicycle
votes: 6
Option 3: Public Transport
votes: 0
Option 4: Stay working out of DE
votes: 0
At the beginning of next month, I'm going to start working from the city two weeks a month. The office is 3 miles away from my house. Parking is $25 a day, a cab would cost about the same, and a bus is not only a terrible option, it involves a bus and a subway trip, which takes about 28 minutes according to Google.
So I'm thinking about getting a bike or a bike for the commute. Something cheap and basic for a motorcycle, and I'm talking cheap. Hundreds, not thousands.
Motorcycle:
Pros:
I've always wanted one
Good gas mileage
Easy storage
Can be used outside of commuting
Cons:
Maintenance
Insurance
Have to learn to ride and get a license
My mom will kill me
Philly drivers might kill me
Weather
Cost of gear?
Motorcycle parking is questionable
Bicycle:
Pros:
Healthy lifestyle option
No gas usage at all
Even easier storage
Cons:
It's a bicycle on city streets, safety issues
Weather is an even bigger concern
Don't know anything about bicycles, so I'd have to rely on you fools to tell me what to buy
Public Transport:
Pros:
Cheap
Somewhat convenient, sort of
Cons:
Trip will take about half an hour, around the same time it takes to drive to my DE office
Safety on the bus--we're talking SEPTA here
Hassle--no one line goes near the office from where I live
It's a bus
Staying in DE:
Pros:
Same routine
I know more people at the office
Driving here is easy most of the time
Cons:
Same routine
Traffic on the way home
Moderate gas usage
Missing out on the great restaurant at the office
I know which way I'm leaning, but I wanted to know what you guys think before I make a decision.
Bicycle, but you posted this in the motorcycle forum, so...
Quote from: Rupert on November 18, 2013, 02:29:39 PM
Bicycle, but you posted this in the motorcycle forum, so...
Yeah, thinking about that, it was a mistake to put it in the motorcycle forum. Should have put it in General Talk or Head to Head.
3miles?? To me that is totally bikestuff- should take you like 15min to ride (plus time waiting for lights though)
But city + bike = DANGER...
You could just walk. :ohyeah: Then even if weather is bad, umbrella or whatever... :lol:
Public transport is yuck. Not an option.
Gear alone will put the motorcycle out of your budget.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on November 18, 2013, 06:32:10 PM
3miles?? To me that is totally bikestuff- should take you like 15min to ride (plus time waiting for lights though)
But city + bike = DANGER...
You could just walk. :ohyeah: Then even if weather is bad, umbrella or whatever... :lol:
If you know what you're doing, city bicycling is not particularly dangerous.
Quote from: Rupert on November 19, 2013, 02:57:25 AM
If you know what you're doing, city bicycling is not particularly dangerous.
I have ridden since I was in 2nd grade, I've ridden on 4 continents, no matter how safe a cyclist dresses and behaves, they're still at the mercy of tards with steering wheels...
I guess my post did sound like "don't do it!!!!!" but for someone who I get the impression isn't even used to riding much (Raza), to just jump into a city commute seems iffy to me. :huh:
oh and I did vote= bicycle
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 18, 2013, 07:10:23 PM
Gear alone will put the motorcycle out of your budget.
How much can gear cost? Helmet, jacket, gloves?
Quote from: Raza on November 19, 2013, 08:38:05 AM
How much can gear cost? Helmet, jacket, gloves?
Helmet... ~150 for a decent one IMO. I guess you could get away with a $100 if you are just commuting.
Jacket.... ~$100 for now but if you have a decent leather jacket, again you should be fine commuting.
Gloves... $50 or so
Don't forget BOOTS. My left foot is permanently fucked because I went down w/a leather sole boot. You could probably get away with steel toe construction boots but I would pony up for real riding boots.. So you'd be in for like $400 right there. I don't think there's any such thing as a $500 motorcycle worth buying. *MAYBE* a scooter if you could overcome the stigma (I couldn't).
Your typical fashionable leather jacket won't be nearly sturdy enough to provide any real abrasion protection. I have a leather bomber jacket and an inexpensive leather motorcycle jacket (no armor) and the leather is twice as thick on the latter.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 19, 2013, 10:18:50 AM
Helmet... ~150 for a decent one IMO. I guess you could get away with a $100 if you are just commuting.
Jacket.... ~$100 for now but if you have a decent leather jacket, again you should be fine commuting.
Gloves... $50 or so
Don't forget BOOTS. My left foot is permanently fucked because I went down w/a leather sole boot. You could probably get away with steel toe construction boots but I would pony up for real riding boots.. So you'd be in for like $400 right there. I don't think there's any such thing as a $500 motorcycle worth buying. *MAYBE* a scooter if you could overcome the stigma (I couldn't).
Uh, what about all the guys I see riding in shorts, Timberlands, and t-shirts with no helmet? They seem pretty safe to me. :lol:
Quote from: Raza on November 19, 2013, 11:46:10 AM
Uh, what about all the guys I see riding in shorts, Timberlands, and t-shirts with no helmet? They seem pretty safe to me. :lol:
sure! :facepalm:
Bike! Motorcycle will do you no good in the snow!
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 19, 2013, 10:18:50 AM
Helmet... ~150 for a decent one IMO. I guess you could get away with a $100 if you are just commuting.
Jacket.... ~$100 for now but if you have a decent leather jacket, again you should be fine commuting.
Gloves... $50 or so
Don't forget BOOTS. My left foot is permanently fucked because I went down w/a leather sole boot. You could probably get away with steel toe construction boots but I would pony up for real riding boots.. So you'd be in for like $400 right there. I don't think there's any such thing as a $500 motorcycle worth buying. *MAYBE* a scooter if you could overcome the stigma (I couldn't).
i have Joe Rocket riding shoe that are enough for street use. They're shaped like a high top sneaker but have all the protection you need for regulariding! 100 bucks...
Quote from: Raza on November 19, 2013, 11:46:10 AM
Uh, what about all the guys I see riding in shorts, Timberlands, and t-shirts with no helmet? They seem pretty safe to me. :lol:
If the T-shirt has a Harley Davidson logo then that is perfectly acceptable. It's a widely believed fact that a Harley logo on a cotton T-shirt gives it the same protective qualities as a fully armored racing jacket.
bicycle makes the most sense by far to me
Quote from: MX793 on November 19, 2013, 05:33:37 PM
If the T-shirt has a Harley Davidson logo then that is perfectly acceptable. It's a widely believed fact that a Harley logo on a cotton T-shirt gives it the same protective qualities as a fully armored racing jacket.
:cheers:
Quote from: J86 on November 19, 2013, 07:09:57 PM
bicycle makes the most sense by far to me
+1 walking is too slow.
3miles= perfectly bikeable
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on November 19, 2013, 07:20:12 AM
I have ridden since I was in 2nd grade, I've ridden on 4 continents, no matter how safe a cyclist dresses and behaves, they're still at the mercy of tards with steering wheels...
I guess my post did sound like "don't do it!!!!!" but for someone who I get the impression isn't even used to riding much (Raza), to just jump into a city commute seems iffy to me. :huh:
You are only a victim if you choose to be when it comes to city biking. I'm at no one's mercy.
Yea I rode in NYC for years. The 2 crashes I had were 100% my fault. If you are a competent driver you will be a competent cyclist.
The only thing I would not do is ride on a road where cars have more than a ~20MPH speed gap over me. At 50, 60 MPH they will not see you coming. Riding in the city was actually kind of safe because with the traffic I was either riding at the same speed as cars or riding faster than them. Definitely find a route that avoids fast traffic as much as possible. If you cant then I would consider the moto. Looking at your CL there are actually some decent bikes, and now is the season to buy.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/4184056413.html (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/4184056413.html)
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 20, 2013, 05:40:48 AM
Riding in the city was actually kind of safe because with the traffic I was either riding at the same speed as cars or riding faster than them.
I guess that makes a difference. I have had to drastically slow down or stop for cars several times to avoid kissing paint- when I was following the laws on the bike. In areas that were NOT urban...
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on November 19, 2013, 04:57:12 PM
Bike! Motorcycle will do you no good in the snow!
They don't make snow tires for motorcycles?
Quote from: Raza on November 20, 2013, 09:26:18 AM
They don't make snow tires for motorcycles?
No. Closest you'll get is a street legal knobby (enduro tire), and even with those I wouldn't want to ride in snow on anything but a dirt bike.
Quote from: MX793 on November 20, 2013, 10:12:57 AM
No. Closest you'll get is a street legal knobby (enduro tire), and even with those I wouldn't want to ride in snow on anything but a dirt bike.
Business opportunity!
Here ya go! :lol:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bid/4203782525.html (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bid/4203782525.html)
Quote from: shp4man on November 20, 2013, 01:33:14 PM
Here ya go! :lol:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bid/4203782525.html (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bid/4203782525.html)
That doesnt look terrible for the start of a commuting career...
And I'd highly recommend a used Nice bike rather than a cheap walmart-type bike...
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on November 20, 2013, 02:28:02 PM
That doesnt look terrible for the start of a commuting career...
And I'd highly recommend a used Nice bike rather than a cheap walmart-type bike...
Agreed, since they typically cost the same.
High quality used bike > Low quality new bike
Oh yes, big time.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on November 20, 2013, 06:20:43 AM
I guess that makes a difference. I have had to drastically slow down or stop for cars several times to avoid kissing paint- when I was following the laws on the bike. In areas that were NOT urban...
Following the laws is in no way related to good safe city biking. Awareness, eye contact, awareness, right-of-way, awareness, not taking risks you don't need to, awareness; those are the important parts, and really everything else comes from awareness.
Quote from: Rupert on November 20, 2013, 07:23:54 PM
Following the laws is in no way related to good safe city biking. Awareness, eye contact, awareness, right-of-way, awareness, not taking risks you don't need to, awareness; those are the important parts, and really everything else comes from awareness.
right-of-way I had, awareness was exercised on my part, I'm naturally risk-averse, and agree on awareness.
I should have added assuming cars don't see you and awareness.
Quote from: Rupert on November 19, 2013, 09:17:57 PM
You are only a victim if you choose to be when it comes to city biking. I'm at no one's mercy.
That's what this rider probably thought too..
BUS DRIVER JAILED FOR ATTACK ON CYCLIST. [ORIGIONAL] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWeHNjKTpog#ws)
Intentional assaults like that are rare enough to be irrelevant to my point.
Quote from: Rupert on November 22, 2013, 11:02:03 AM
Intentional assaults like that are rare enough to be irrelevant to my point.
+1
Quote from: Rupert on November 22, 2013, 11:02:03 AM
Intentional assaults like that are rare enough to be irrelevant to my point.
You guys take everything too serious..
No, that just wasn't funny.
and actually had cyclist been aware, he could have gotten out of the way... :huh:
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on November 22, 2013, 05:24:42 PM
and actually had cyclist been aware, he could have gotten out of the way... :huh:
Where? The bus driver had him boxed in.
Also, busses have their engines in the back. Riding a bike (wind noise) and the engine being 20-30 feet behind you means you probably won't really hear much of the bus coming after you until it's too late.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 22, 2013, 05:46:51 PM
Where? The bus driver had him boxed in.
There was no one to either side of the cyclist.
Clarification- I believe the bus driver is 100000% at fault.!
A bicycle on 3 miles is like a 15 20 minute ride.
It's also a great way to pick up girls, make friends. People like others who might go for a casual bike ride.
Just bought a 1960-something beach cruiser this weekend. Looking forward to fixing it up to make a pretty fly commuter.
A flamboyant Italian scooter.
It's way too hot for a good portion of the year to bicycle into work (in Ohio at least, I imagine it there too). Motorcycles are bound to kill you within weeks, and you also end up sweating your ass off. A scooter will go with the ascot-wearing impression of Raza I have. :lol:
Quote from: Raza on November 20, 2013, 09:26:18 AM
They don't make snow tires for motorcycles?
Yes, its called sheet metal screws on knobbies.
Not for the faint of heart, or the beginner rider.
Quote from: MrH on November 25, 2013, 12:50:28 PM
A flamboyant Italian scooter.
It's way too hot for a good portion of the year to bicycle into work (in Ohio at least, I imagine it there too). Motorcycles are bound to kill you within weeks, and you also end up sweating your ass off. A scooter will go with the ascot-wearing impression of Raza I have. :lol:
No, no ascots. Can't do a scooter.
But you're right. The last few summers here have been brutal. Driving a convertible to work in 95F+ is hot enough work, wouldn't want to bike in that weather.
Quote from: Raza on December 08, 2013, 03:33:55 PM
No, no ascots. Can't do a scooter.
But you're right. The last few summers here have been brutal. Driving a convertible to work in 95F+ is hot enough work, wouldn't want to bike in that weather.
(http://www.scooter-vespa.eu/Pictures/V150ccTAP-01.jpg)
The Vespa 150 TAP. No ascots allowed.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 09, 2013, 12:57:59 AM
(http://www.scooter-vespa.eu/Pictures/V150ccTAP-01.jpg)
The Vespa 150 TAP. No ascots allowed.
that crap better have upgraded suspension :lol:
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 09, 2013, 08:13:39 AM
that crap better have upgraded suspension :lol:
Mike hooked him up with the suspension for this as well.. :lol:
Drive your car. It's safer then either bike or bicycle. If it rains you don't give a shit. If it snows you don't give a shit. If you pick up a hit girl at happy hour she'll give a shit.
And you already have the car and don't need to buy anything for it. I lives less the half a mile from my job for three years and still drove every day!
Yeah, plus, your suicide bomber vest might be too obvious if you're biking with one..