Living Car Free - Differences between Commuting and Utility Cycling

I'd guess that for most people on this sub forum, commuting racks up most of the miles. So a good question might be, are there any real differences between bike commuting and the kind of utility cycling we do?

One thing I am concerned about in running errands is that I'm constantly dealing with locking and unlocking my bike. I have to deal with all kinds of bizarre bike racks (or none at all) and also removing and putting back things like the water bottle, the frame pump, the bike computer, lights and blinkies, loads, the underseat bag, etc. etc. etc. This is a big nuisance especially when you try to accomplish four or five errands on a trip.

Have noticed that.

If you're doing lots of utility cycling, you might want to have a helmet mounted light not bike mount, a blinkie on you, not on the bike, keep frame pump / tools / personal items in a backpack or fanny pack not in a bike bag.

So when you get off the bike, you lock it and walk away. Your "stuff" is already on your body.

Well I am car free, but for now when I do errands I just walk* (errands usally involve shoping and the local grocery store is only a 5 minute walk away)

So I would say maybe for the errands you could consider walking instead of biking that is what I do at this time. I know this is a biking forum and I am advicating walking I will go slap myself around a bit now to appease what ever biking god might be out there ;-)

* this just means the bad news for me is that the local grocery store will be closing soon so I am going to have to learn how to do my grocery shopping on a bike or walk 30 minutes to the next closest one, I am tempted to just do the one hour of walking myself.

Saddle bags are awesome for that... lock your bike, pick up the saddle bags with all your stuff allready in there and off you go. Un-mounting lights and speedmeeter doesn't take very long. A backpack is also nice if you don't have a lot of stuff to carry back with you.

With my utility bike, I also use a number-type lock so I never have to fetch the keys in my bag.

are there any real differences between bike commuting and the kind of utility cycling we do?

Now that this sub-forum is here, I don't lurk in the commuting forum as often as I once did. I commute to work only occasionally, so I never felt completely at home in that forum. However, I think I can identify one difference between utility cycling and commuting: I suspect the average commuter is much more concerned about travel time and speed than the average utility cyclist. After all, commuters commute to work and most workplaces expect employees to turn up at an appointed hour. Much of the logistics involved seem to be related to ensuring that the commuter arrives at work on time.

Contrast that to my errands, which I usually take care of after work and on weekends: It doesn't really matter when I get to the store or library, as long as there's enough time for me to conduct business before they lock the doors. A commuter required to be at his or her desk at a certain hour probably doesn't enjoy the luxury of exploring new routes and getting sidetracked, which I do on a regular basis (except when I have perishables on the bike). On some days I must complete my errands in a finite amount of time, but I'm not under anywhere near the amount of pressure I imagine daily commuters face.

commuting is utility cycling.

and since my bike is so useful, i often run errands on the way to and from work, thereby eroding the difference between the commute and other kinds of utility cycling.

it's a good point though...people do often spend rather a lot of time talking about arriving on time or whatever. i don't understand it myself, but i'm lucky enough to have a job that allows me to show up anytime before 9am and leave whenever I've worked a full day.

If you're running a lot of errends yes, better to have the blinky on *you*, and not too much pilferable stuff on the bike.

Messengers have coped with this problem, messenger bags have a handy little strap to clip a blinky onto, and they typically carry what bike tools they carry in the bag, and the bike is pretty stripped down and less enticing to a thief.

In an area where nice pannier bags may get stolen, there are always the hokey ol' wire pannier baskets, for your grocery-run pleasure. I think those would even make a Colnago theft-proof.

Serious bikies often have a grocery-getter bike, a go-fast bike for fun riding, etc it's much cheaper to own a few bikes than even one car.

Serious bikies often... <whatever>
Potential Pomposity Alert! Recommend a definition of "serious" in this context or rephrase.

I have the same problem as the OP, and no real solution. I recently opened a thread on another forum entitled "Looking For a Light Lock." I thought the thread would be about locking up lights, and of course he really meant a lightweight lock for his bike! I was disappointed, because it would be convenient to find lockable lights. I just throw my lights in my backpack when I go in a store or whatever, but it would be great to find one that could be kept on the bike all the time.

...a thread on another forum entitled "Looking For a Light Lock." I thought the thread would be about locking up lights...

LOL!!

I'd guess that for most people on this sub forum, commuting racks up most of the miles. So a good question might be, are there any real differences between bike commuting and the kind of utility cycling we do?

One thing I am concerned about in running errands is that I'm constantly dealing with locking and unlocking my bike. I have to deal with all kinds of bizarre bike racks (or none at all) and also removing and putting back things like the water bottle, the frame pump, the bike computer, lights and blinkies, loads, the underseat bag, etc. etc. etc. This is a big nuisance especially when you try to accomplish four or five errands on a trip.


Im both, im a messenger by trade, so basically im a commuter/utility rider all the time.When it comes to errands its not much different than what I do for a living really.First step after acquiring the proper equipment is mostly just experience and learning what you can do and get away with and what you cant.Im not gonna sugarcoat this, I see this same attitude on this board and others about locking up bikes, hey its a bike, its a freakin tool to do a job, rule number one, do not get sentimental over it, do not be afraid to lock it up somewhere, proper rack or not.Dont expect sympathy from the world at large over the deal either, whether or not your biking experience is a good one is about as far down the priority list as it gets, just the way it is here in the US.

As far as on the bike items, a rear blinky light is pretty safe to leave on the bike, a removable headlight is probably the best idea for that.After that, practicality wise and safety wise, get a messenger bag, even if it makes you feel like a posenger, get one anyway, it eliminates alot of hassles.You can carry spares and tools and still have lots of room for other stuff.Do not get bent out of shape if some stores ask you to check at it the door, just give it to them and move on, it isnt personal.Get used to a certain amount of descrimination, face it, a bike only car free life these days makes you a serious minority and curiosity at the same time, some find it cool, some dont, it goes with the territory.

You may at some point want to get rid of a few things, a bike computer isnt needed, neither is an underseat pouch or bag.Frame pump?get a cheapo mini pump, they work just fine.Tools, get a 15mm wrench for axle nuts and carry the minimum you need otherwise, no sense in carrying more than you need.As far as the actual bike goes, I can tell you from experience, simple is always better, single speed or fixed gears are used by guys like me for very very good reasons.They dont break much, they handle mass abuse and lack of maintenance, and when the weather turns to sheot they still work, trust me, when its 5 degrees outside and snowing/icing and your bike's been outside locked up for hours, if its a geared bike, it wont be after that, it will be a singlespeed whether you like it or not.Road salt, harsh weather, and lots of miles are tough on bikes and riders, and as far as Ive found, bike makers do not cater to people that do this, in other words, your not gonna find a bike ready for this as is at a bike store, you can get pretty close, but not likely to find what you really need.Get something as close as you can, add fenders and anything else you need.Personally on the bike mounted items should be minimal, its safer that way.Remove all decals from the bike, dont use quick releases, get a decent U-lock, stay away from shiny bling type stuff.Youcan have a bike with killer components that doesnt look it, thieves dont know phil wood from huffy.

Last but not least, if carrying stuff on your back/shoulder is foreign to you, dont worry the initial pains go away pretty quick, takes awhile for your body to get used to constant mileage and carrying stuff, everyone goes thru it, youd be suprised what you can stuff in a messenger bag and still ride just fine.I guarantee you will feel silly and awkward for awhile, all rookies go thru it, ive seen some rookie messengers do some funny stuff, been there myself.Commuting/utility riding has a bit of a learning curve just like anythign else.

hope this helps
peace

chocula, you made a good point about the logistics of commuting being largely about arriving at work on time. With errand running one is often more concerned about accomplishing several different kinds of tasks in a day with good efficiency. My personal experience is that combining trips cleverly is very important for people who rely on non-car transportation modes.

pedex, thanks for some insight that I was sadly lacking. I had been thinking that utility cycling was most closely related to commuting. You pointed out that some of the errand running elements are similar to messenger cycling issues. (Posenger? LOL!!)

Im both, im a messenger by trade, so basically im a commuter/utility rider all the time.When it comes to errands its not much different than what I do for a living really.First step after acquiring the proper equipment is mostly just experience and learning what you can do and get away with and what you cant.Im not gonna sugarcoat this, I see this same attitude on this board and others about locking up bikes, hey its a bike, its a freakin tool to do a job, rule number one, do not get sentimental over it, do not be afraid to lock it up somewhere, proper rack or not.Dont expect sympathy from the world at large over the deal either, whether or not your biking experience is a good one is about as far down the priority list as it gets, just the way it is here in the US.

As far as on the bike items, a rear blinky light is pretty safe to leave on the bike, a removable headlight is probably the best idea for that.After that, practicality wise and safety wise, get a messenger bag, even if it makes you feel like a posenger, get one anyway, it eliminates alot of hassles.You can carry spares and tools and still have lots of room for other stuff.Do not get bent out of shape if some stores ask you to check at it the door, just give it to them and move on, it isnt personal.Get used to a certain amount of descrimination, face it, a bike only car free life these days makes you a serious minority and curiosity at the same time, some find it cool, some dont, it goes with the territory.

You may at some point want to get rid of a few things, a bike computer isnt needed, neither is an underseat pouch or bag.Frame pump?get a cheapo mini pump, they work just fine.Tools, get a 15mm wrench for axle nuts and carry the minimum you need otherwise, no sense in carrying more than you need.As far as the actual bike goes, I can tell you from experience, simple is always better, single speed or fixed gears are used by guys like me for very very good reasons.They dont break much, they handle mass abuse and lack of maintenance, and when the weather turns to sheot they still work, trust me, when its 5 degrees outside and snowing/icing and your bike's been outside locked up for hours, if its a geared bike, it wont be after that, it will be a singlespeed whether you like it or not.Road salt, harsh weather, and lots of miles are tough on bikes and riders, and as far as Ive found, bike makers do not cater to people that do this, in other words, your not gonna find a bike ready for this as is at a bike store, you can get pretty close, but not likely to find what you really need.Get something as close as you can, add fenders and anything else you need.Personally on the bike mounted items should be minimal, its safer that way.Remove all decals from the bike, dont use quick releases, get a decent U-lock, stay away from shiny bling type stuff.Youcan have a bike with killer components that doesnt look it, thieves dont know phil wood from huffy.

Last but not least, if carrying stuff on your back/shoulder is foreign to you, dont worry the initial pains go away pretty quick, takes awhile for your body to get used to constant mileage and carrying stuff, everyone goes thru it, youd be suprised what you can stuff in a messenger bag and still ride just fine.I guarantee you will feel silly and awkward for awhile, all rookies go thru it, ive seen some rookie messengers do some funny stuff, been there myself.Commuting/utility riding has a bit of a learning curve just like anythign else.

hope this helps
peace

Got to go with the man. He reflected my thoughts almost exactly on simplifying a bike that is used for utility cycling. And I think utility covers everything other than riding specifically for fitness training. And, yes, it include touring in my book.

Potential Pomposity Alert! Recommend a definition of "serious" in this context or rephrase.

You passed that danger level a long time ago, Stanley. Give it a break with your innane oneupsmanship over good people contributing worthwhile commentary to a discussion.

chocula, you made a good point about the logistics of commuting being largely about arriving at work on time. With errand running one is often more concerned about accomplishing several different kinds of tasks in a day with good efficiency. My personal experience is that combining trips cleverly is very important for people who rely on non-car transportation modes.

pedex, thanks for some insight that I was sadly lacking. I had been thinking that utility cycling was most closely related to commuting. You pointed out that some of the errand running elements are similar to messenger cycling issues. (Posenger? LOL!!)

Well, a long with what I do for my clients I also integrate errands for my personal life as well.For example, I like to get dvd's from the library a few times/wk, those fit in my bag with customers freight just fine, and when I get the chance I go in the library and return the discs.Same with groceries or anything else I need to do.I have shown up at a clients office with groceries in my bag too, it happens sometimes, being "on call" all the time sometimes means doing my stuff along with others at the same time, you learn to juggle things.You get very adept at locking up and knowing exactly what you can do and where, and what you can haul.Ive gotten to the point now where I can glance at a box and know if it will fit in my bag.Early this morning for example I had a client ask me if I could haul 50lbs of documents to another law firm, one glance at the box and I said sure,no problem.Being a messenger is like running errands for a living basically, just by bike instead of car.Its also like commuting, I have to deal with that too, not uncommon with my 16 square mile delivery area to have to ride 20mins one way to do something, only difference is my commute doesnt end till the day is over, my office is the whole downtown and surrounding areas.It isnt rocket science thats for sure, mostly hard work and brute force quite honestly.

I agree with most of whats been said here about the differences from pure commuting.I work from home and have the ability to walk nearby for most utility purposes so like to think of my cycling style as more transportational than utilitarian which to me connotates something a little too spartan or non-recreational for my liking.

The common element in all my cycling is I am going somewhere be it the beach,everglades,mall,weekend camping,multiday tour ,etc.And further my goal(always accomplished it seems)is to have fun and as such I never wear a watch or have a bike computer .I will take care of most utility functions on the way back and for those I have a duffel and one of those fishing waist packs(for the pockets)bungied to the rear rack.I will wear a daypack with attached blinkie if stopping often which the pump can also fit in.On longer rides the daypack is usually bungied to the rear with the blinkie still attached.

I use a helmet mounted led for a headlight (mostly for visibility).It is one of the backpacker types that I wrap the elastic band through the helmet holes many times and then fasten the strap at back to attach.In stores, I simply lock the bike and helmet together and the light is attached securely enough noone attempts(or at least is able) to remove it even in questionable places where people have gone thought the fishing pack pockets (where as a result I keep nothing of value).The bike is an early 80's touring bike in need of a repaint and new bar tape and as such a thin lock is enough to deter any would be thief of opportunity.

I-Like-To-Bike: "Serious" means someone who's riding to work, riding to school, a messenger like pedex (my hero!) someone who's into bikes, cares about bikes, rescues cool old bikes from the dumpster and keeps 'em, trades 'em, passes 'em on, this covers lots of people - you know how people who are into it at all will often accumilate bikes.

I've got a SS which will become a fix soon, am looking at getting an all-around bike for daily errends and load-carrying, and then when I have more of a training base will look at getting a go-fast roadie bike. Some people will ride on the road but have a MTB too, or their old BMX they couldn't bear to part with, or they bike they set up for their GF to ride and kept even when she lost interest.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some hanging on pedex's every word to do here.

I-Like-To-Bike: "Serious" means someone who's riding to work, riding to school, a messenger like pedex (my hero!) someone who's into bikes, cares about bikes, rescues cool old bikes from the dumpster and keeps 'em, trades 'em, passes 'em on, this covers lots of people - you know how people who are into it at all will often accumilate bikes.


See, now you've done it. You should have taken the hint earlier. You've set yourself up for an ILTB post about your attitude and how arrogant and ignorant you are in suggesting that anyone who does less than what you say isn't "serious". It's all pedantic semantics, but ILTB thrives on it here and elsewhere.

All I can say is that so far ILTB has been gentle with us compared to the animosity we run into from people who Don't-Like-To-Bike. If we can make it through the ILTB charm school we'll all be real suave diplomats.

[Edited for grammar.]

Maybe his name could be I-Like-To-B1tch hehe

And I'm an arrogent, ignorant, posinger pining to join the pedex posse!

See, now you've done it. You should have taken the hint earlier. You've set yourself up for an ILTB post about your attitude and how arrogant and ignorant you are in suggesting that anyone who does less than what you say isn't "serious". It's all pedantic semantics, but ILTB thrives on it here and elsewhere.
Yes Rowan, you are Correct, LIL Racer has set himself up as an arrogant cycling elitist if indeed he is serious about his definitions. And it is not pedantic semantics, it is practical advice on effective advocacy, Cycling advocates need to avoid smug, elitist attitudes/language alluding to the superior virtue (cycling and otherwise) of the brotherhood of cyclists who fit his profile of "serious" (or "real" or "true") cycling/cyclists.

When the red flag of "serious cycling" is raised by cycling advocates, whether by "High Mileage Road Cylists" with the high mileage on their odometers run up on weekend training rides, or cyclists claiming superior moral virtue because of their choice in lifestyles, it is almost always done to put other cyclists down and is usually tied to angling for special consideration for those who share the so-called Serious cyclist's profile.

I do like to "*****" at a circle of self appointed experts who smugly believe they are God's gift to the world of cycling and insist on calling their exclusionary ideas/proposals, "bicycling advocacy". It is immaterial to me if their sense of "seriousness" (AKA: superior virtue/wisdom) emanates from their choice in cycling equipment, cycling technique, average speed, total miles, or percentage of miles traveled only by bicycle - when such "serious cyclists" preach outside of their choir and speak of "WE believe this" or "WE want that" they likely misrepresent the advocacy views of everyone else not in the selected slice of the "serious cyclist" clan.

Maybe his name could be I-Like-To-B1tch hehe

And I'm an arrogent, ignorant, posinger pining to join the pedex posse!
And I assume you are serious.

Yes Rowan, you are Correct, LIL Racer has set himself up as an arrogant cycling elitist if indeed he is serious about his definitions. And it is not pedantic semantics, it is practical advice on effective advocacy, Cycling advocates need to avoid smug, elitist attitudes/language alluding to the superior virtue (cycling and otherwise) of the brotherhood of cyclists who fit his profile of "serious" (or "real" or "true") cycling/cyclists.

When the red flag of "serious cycling" is raised by cycling advocates, whether by "High Mileage Road Cylists" with the high mileage on their odometers run up on weekend training rides, or cyclists claiming superior moral virtue because of their choice in lifestyles, it is almost always done to put other cyclists down and is usually tied to angling for special consideration for those who share the so-called Serious cyclist's profile.

I do like to "*****" at a circle of self appointed experts who smugly believe they are God's gift to the world of cycling and insist on calling their exclusionary ideas/proposals, "bicycling advocacy". It is immaterial to me if their sense of "seriousness" (AKA: superior virtue/wisdom) emanates from their choice in cycling equipment, cycling technique, average speed, total miles, or percentage of miles traveled only by bicycle - when such "serious cyclists" preach outside of their choir and speak of "WE believe this" or "WE want that" they likely misrepresent the advocacy views of everyone else not in the selected slice of the "serious cyclist" clan.

The trouble is Stanley, when you express your desire to argue effective advoacy, make sure you get your simple facts right. The he is a she. If you can't get the fundamentals right, no amount of pontificating on the veracity of a person's claims to be a serious cyclist or not, is going to help your cause.

Jeebuz, people, stop the snarking. If you want to be all nasty to each other, go check out the fixie or the roadie forums. Play nice, dammit! :)

It's OK lala, it happens on every forum ILTB/Stanley Batt posts to. Goes with the territory. It's fun for a while, then gets boring, then people turn their attention elsewhere.

No water bottle, no bike computer, no pump, no tools, no bag, no quick releases.
Built-in lighting.
Nothing easily removable.

U-lock to parking meter, railing, or other object.

If no object, then just lock wheel for short stop. Theft would require truck or large van, since wheels do not readily detach.

Paul

Sniping is so annoying and it drives people way due to others' egos. It really bugs me.

Sniping is so annoying and it drives people way due to others' egos. It really bugs me.

Goes with the territory. It's like being chased by dogs. Just stay calm and keep pedaling.

No quick releases...Nothing easily removable.

U-lock to parking meter, railing, or other object.

If no object, then just lock wheel for short stop. Theft would require truck or large van, since wheels do not readily detach.
Or an adjustable wrench/pliers.

Sniping is so annoying and it drives people way due to others' egos. It really bugs me.
Sort of how I feel about self described "serious cyclists" preaching to the "incompetents" about cycling/moral virtue. It really bugs me.

chocula, you made a good point about the logistics of commuting being largely about arriving at work on time. With errand running one is often more concerned about accomplishing several different kinds of tasks in a day with good efficiency. My personal experience is that combining trips cleverly is very important for people who rely on non-car transportation modes.

I don't really see the difference, but I also don't try to get to work just in time. I usually arrive 30min before I need to, to beat the worst of traffic and to settle in gently.
For errands I am often in a mad rush, to get to the store before closing after work (ever notice how big box places one likes to avoid close late 9pm or so, but independent stores I want to supprt close at 6pm), to rush to get the milk, ice cream and raw chicken packed in ice home in 110deg temps (store that is open late doesn't sell organic), etc. I often do several trips on bike on different days as there is not time to make 3 stops on one trip, nor is there room in 3000cu'in bag to get groceries, books from library, and materials from hardware store on one trip, so while multitasking works when driving a car, on a bike I find it difficult given the extra mileage, low carry capacity and rush I am often in.

Of course weekend trips to coffee shop, restaurant, bookstore to browse and relax are really not errands, but recreation. Errands I run during the week in a mad rush on bike to so I have freetime on weekends to go hiking, etc.

Al

I-Like: Only someone with a very delicate ego would assume someone saying "serious cyclists" is automatically saying a bunch of others are incompetent etc., I'm guessing you're further assuming, perhaps not consciously, that I'm calling you incompetent. If the shoe fits, Cinderella! But, I don't look at things that way or mean them that way on any level.

To me a non-serious cyclist would be the folks who get 2 bikes at wal-mart, take 'em in the SUV to ride on the local bike trail on a sunny weekend, have a great time then go home and put the bikes in the garage. Next day they notice their butts hurt and they got sunburned. The bikes never leave the garage again. There are a lot of riders like that, you know. $5 gas will bring 'em out to ride with us though!

$5 gas will bring 'em out to ride with us though!
$5/gal gas will reduce recreational (non-essential trip)/vacation driving and may encourage folks to perform multiple tasks on one trip, but it won't stop folks paying the $5 it costs for the 20mi RT drive the entire family to the mall vs. biking with the family thru dangerous high volume high speed streets in 100deg+ only to find no place to lock their bikes. There is no one I know and I would never suggest that anyone take their younger (say sub-15) kids on any of the streets round here needed to get to most any shopping area except that rare place in their immediate neighborhood.

Sure some thoughtful folks will ride a bike instead of driving, but the vast majority will just travel less, order more delivered goods, etc.

Where I live the two biggest challenges to commuting and utility biking are the hot summer temps and the (reality and perception of) dangerous streets.

$20/gal may do it though ;)

Al

I doubt that $5 gas will make any significant difference. Gas lines would, however.

Paul

It's getting a little bumpy here. And I thought we were all a bunch of tree-hugging, pacifistic, socialistic, elitist HIPPIES! At least that's what ILTB told me! :D I guess he was wrong about that too.

It's getting a little bumpy here. And I thought we were all a bunch of tree-hugging, pacifistic, socialistic, elitist HIPPIES! At least that's what ILTB told me! :D I guess he was wrong about that too.
Was I?

You forgot urban, physically healthy, and single or dependent free (with a few temporary exceptions for those with toddlers).


Though counter culture dreamers would be a term I think more appropriate than "hippies" which I think is more closely related to the free loading, drug dazed, "ain't I freaky?" crowd.

$20/gal may do it though ;)

Al

hmm... then class divisions will be seen on the roads, as those who'll be driving will be seen as having lots o' money.

Man... road trips would suck for people at that point... then *hopefully* they'll look @ bike touring :D

An interesting demographic to consider is the enormous wave of retired Baby Boomers that is just now starting. It's possible for all the ingredients favorable to a carfree lifestyle to suddenly reappear in people's lives.

Many of us have hippie roots and we rode bikes a long time ago. We've had sufficiently long productive careers. Our kids are growing up and leaving home. People over 50, especially, can easily become single overnight. Big houses in the suburbs suddenly make less sense so one can also become an urban dweller again. Incomes often drop dramatically. More than almost anything else we long for restored vitality and good health. How common will this be? I don't know, but I've always considered myself right in the middle of Boomer demographics and that's exactly what happened to me.

I don't think the old political lines apply anymore, I'm probably an anarcho-syndicalisst or something.

I am a big fat ol' tree-hugger though, I'm a real eco-freakie.

Oh yes, and I meant it about being an uber-posinger, too. I'm a posinger bigtime.

An interesting demographic to consider is the enormous wave of retired Baby Boomers that is just now starting. It's possible for all the ingredients favorable to a carfree lifestyle to suddenly reappear in people's lives.

Many of us have hippie roots and we rode bikes a long time ago. We've had sufficiently long productive careers. Our kids are growing up and leaving home. People over 50, especially, can easily become single overnight. Big houses in the suburbs suddenly make less sense so one can also become an urban dweller again. Incomes often drop dramatically. More than almost anything else we long for restored vitality and good health. How common will this be? I don't know, but I've always considered myself right in the middle of Boomer demographics and that's exactly what happened to me.
The demographic you describe fits in perfectly- dependent-free urban dweller and presumably still physically healthy. No school districts to consider, no children's social activities to attend anymore, and presumably no desire to travel beyond the limits of available public transportation. Also presumably aged parents (relatives and friends also) are deceased, in a nursing home, or within bicycling/public transportation range. Or they have cars and take care of their needs with no help from their car-free baby boomer children/friends

Sure some thoughtful folks will ride a bike instead of driving, but the vast majority will just travel less, order more delivered goods, etc.
Al

Well, at least this is still a good thing. I also don't think $5 gasoline will convert many people to cycle more. It may, however, help create conversions to more fuel efficient vehicles. I also suspect people will continue to drive regardless of the price of gas.

I doubt we will soon, if ever, see $5 gas, let alone $20 gas. The government will just increase subsidies in an increasingly foolhardy effort to keep the economy chugging along. Taxes will rise (or defecits will), but people will still be slow to see the connections between government spending and cheap energy.

Well, at least this is still a good thing. I also don't think $5 gasoline will convert many people to cycle more. It may, however, help create conversions to more fuel efficient vehicles. I also suspect people will continue to drive regardless of the price of gas.
It is a very good thing. I very much support societal car use reduction and reduced non renewable fuel use - but for me this does not mean car free or primarily bike transport.
Some folks will use more public transport
Some will get rid of their car
Some will combine trips
Some will eliminate 'extravagant' trips
Some will ride their bike
Some will use more fuel efficient vehicles
Some will do some combination of the above
Some will do items I have not listed
Some will do none of the above

Al

I'm late to this thread as usual, so this post has to do with the earlier subject of utility/commuter cycling.

I work at home, so no commute to speak of, but I use my bikes for everything, including transport to business meetings. it's kind of tricky, especially when the meeting is sensitive/important enough that I want to be wearing nice clothes and, once or twice, even felt like I should carry something other than a backpack, i.e. a briefcase-type thing just like a grownup. (I need one of those Carradice "bike bureaus" for things like that)

when I used to commute to a straight job, i would keep clothes at work to change into, and have a little room I could change in, and hang up my sweaty shorts and my rain pants. Obviously I can't do any of that if I am going to a client's office for a meeting. Instead my strategy, such as it is, involves a few tricks

--wearing 'miracle fiber' clothing, which you can get in passable office-wear styles nowadays. even if i get sweaty I cool off fast upon arrival, and it works as emergency rain gear in a pinch...
--showing up at least 15 min early, and finding a cafe or somewhere to sit and cool off, and let my heart rate return to normal.
--drinking plenty of water before, during and after the meeting

of course there are lots of inbetweens--the other day I had a daylong meeting at a clients office where I felt comfortable enough to ask the director if I could stash my panniers in her office, and then I had a meeting later on with a different director in the same office, first time we'd met, so it was a handy mix of accessibility and sensitivity. I did, for instance, wear my bike shoes and change into work shoes before I entered the building. Usually after I get to know someone they're so impressed that I get along without a car that there's no stigma, but it's nice to look like a "normal person" for a first impression. It'd be great if that werent true, but it is, and my job is what it is, and therein lies my challenge as a bicycling freelancer.

I should qualify all this by saying that I live and work in the SF Bay Area, so the weather is rarely an issue (save the very occasional rainy day) and the dress standards are lax enough that at least I don't need to show up in a jacket and tie. Rain changes everything--it's weird to show up at a meeting and have to strip out of your rain gear and stash it somewhere before you even enter the building, particularly when it's raining! And it's been years since I've lived where there was real winter, so I tip my helmet to anyone who works within those confines.

I think Pedex may have finally convinced me to someday find a nice huge messenger bag to know and love. I have used panniers, a trailer and a backpack in various combinations for the past 10 years, but I find myself wanting more and more just to haul all the stuff separate from the bike. Trailers and racks are fine for 1 or 2-stop trips to the store(s), but when I'm on a multi-stop errand run, my backpack gets very very full.

Oh--and more relevant to the original posting, when I'm running around town on lots of errands, I usually wear some army-surplus cargo pants with big side pockets. my lights, sunglasses, and bike gloves drop into the side pockets without getting in the way of anything while I walk around the store or wherever.

I took a clue from Pedex, Paul H, noisebeam, weed eater and others. I stripped off all the gadgets before I went out errand running today. That hugely improved efficiency and enjoyment. Obviously I'm still learning some basic things. Thanks, everyone.

I took a clue from Pedex, Paul H, noisebeam, weed eater and others. I stripped off all the gadgets before I went out errand running today. That hugely improved efficiency and enjoyment. Obviously I'm still learning some basic things. Thanks, everyone.

Glad to be of service :)

I think a large portion of rec riders have a real difficult time reconciling alot of the issues of doing errands and such by bike, I get the distinct impression that here in the US anyway, its very culturally ingrained too.For such an amazingly simple thing as doing errands via bike some folks sure make a mountain out of a mole hill so to speak.

Seems the most common issues are:
weather
locking up
equipment
carrying stuff on your back
cell phones
helmets
how you look(as if it matters)

From my point of view, the only real tough issues I can see being car free causing real diffculties are having a sizable family and living far from basic services like grocery shopping, other than that, its really not that tough.

Seems like most people have a fairly secure place to leave their bike at work if loosely attached accessories are not much of a concern for commuting. I'm fortunate enough to have a bike locker, so I leave my lights attached to my commuter and my commuter is a better bike than the bike I use for errands though I don't do many errands. I have carried an extra pannier and left it on the bike in the past. When I parked my bike outside, I would remove at least the battery and take it in with me. My commute is longer than any errand I do on my bike. 8.5 miles one way to work. Most places I go to shop are within 3 miles.

Sometimes I wish the price of gas would get to $5/gal. but the only problem with that is it would make the price of everything else much higher. Would it be feasable to have $5/gal. gas and, say, $1/gal. for diesel for commercial trucks? That I would really like to see happen.

Transportation isnt gonna be what does us in, the price of food is because of its dependence on cheap energy.Wait till a 5lb bag of rice that costs $1.79 now is like $20, people will notice that LOL, Ive already noticed my food bill increasing pretty quickly lately.4000 calories per day is getting damn expensive.

Transportation isnt gonna be what does us in, the price of food is because of its dependence on cheap energy.Wait till a 5lb bag of rice that costs $1.79 now is like $20, people will notice that LOL, Ive already noticed my food bill increasing pretty quickly lately.4000 calories per day is getting damn expensive.

Well, gosh darn it, we're just going to have to grow our OWN food. Victory gardens like during WWII!