Commuting - Communting from New Jersey to NYC

Hello everyone,

I am planning to start commuting to work. I will be commuting from New Jersey to New York City.

Most people would wonder why I would to do that but it turns out that it is very convenient for me. I am not too far from the ferry that takes me from Jersey to NYC. Once in NYC, I can ride to work down the Hudson River along the bike path that happens to run in front of the building where I work.

I will be using my one and only bike, a Giant Iguana, for the commute. I am a bit concerned about leaving the bike outside for the whole day. Can anyone offer some advise on how to secure the bike? Should I be looking to buy I used bike for commuting? I have found a potential commuter bike but I would really like to use my current bike.

Thanks.

PS. Sorry about the typo in the title of the post.

If you're really worried about it, I would use the older bike. As it is, I can't ride my nice bike to the University... I have to take my older one. As for a lock, I'd probably use more than one kind and make sure they aren't any cheap ones that will be cut through without incident. I have a Kevlar reinforced Specialized cable lock that is about an inch diameter and additional U-lock if I'm feeling exceptionally worried. Have you asked your employer or security about the possibility of bringing the bike in to your building?

Hello everyone,
I am planning to start commuting to work. I will be commuting from New Jersey to New York City.
So much bike theft, everywhere, do not take your primary bike as a commuter. Why not try to find an old lightweight frame and make a fixie?

Ask about taking the bike inside in a store room or something and lock it up as well.

Or like stevesurf said, get an old beater bike.

Have you looked into foldables? Since you will be taking the ferry, they will charge extra for the bike, used to be $1.00 a few years ago. If you have a foldable you might be able to put it in a bag and avoid the charge, and also take it into your buiding. -

Get a NY chain or a mini u lock, a cable lock to secure the wheels, chain the saddle and fill all of the bolts on your components with wax.

I second the folder idea. A low-end folder is quite affordable these days (or you could go nuts and get a Speed Pro like I did :D).

The only bike you can leave locked outside is a true junker. Using multiple, heavy locks is okay -- if it's a junker. If the bike is halfway decent, it will still be stripped.

I too am also trying to figure out how to commute to midtown from north jersey. I'm only 10-11 miles away by car. Problem is, I live on the opposite side of the Meadowlands. I can't get to the ferry or PATH without much too long a ride. Or I can head further north and come in over the GWB and ride back downtown. Also a very long ride, and some of it is pretty unpleasant. It's a hard enough ride on a road bike, I can't imagine it'd be doable on a heavy old bike or a folder. Maybe a very high quality folder would be okay, but I'm not going to drop a grand on one just to see if it works out. This sucks, because I used to really enjoy commuting in when I lived in the boroughs.

My commute is the opposite, I'm in the Bronx, and commute to Jersey City every day, I want to see how long after the summer I can keep it going. I though about the folder idea for the winter, so I can ride downtown and take the path whenever I don't feel like going over the GWB.

I too am also trying to figure out how to commute to midtown from north jersey. I'm only 10-11 miles away by car. Problem is, I live on the opposite side of the Meadowlands. I can't get to the ferry or PATH without much too long a ride.

Maybe you can get a folder and ride to one of NJ Transit train stations like Rutherford or take service that goes directly into Manhattan. You don't have to ride into New York City but to a train station instead.

I could, but I could also walk to a train station. I suppose could ride to a further train station, but if my trip is going to be primarily the same train commute as it would be without the biking, I can just get up earlier and go for a ride before work without the extra bike commuting hassels, which is what I try to do now.

I appreciate the suggestions though!

If you already have a good bike to ride, you should talk to the office manager, the building super, your boss, or whoever might be able to assist you in finding a safe place to keep the bike inside your building. Depending on the building & its policies your may not need to worry about getting a beater or a folding bike.

Thats what I did to get a nice little spot in a storage room next to the frieght elevator.

Thanks everyone for the good comments and suggestions.

In the end, I decided to go with my current bike. I did my first commute today and I believe I made the right choice.

Here is my account of my first commute:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=1453707&postcount=29

Thanks everyone.

neopipil