Bicycle Roadside Assistance

[CycleMagic]

not sure if y'all have seen this before; did a search of BF that came up empty.
thought I'd share: http://www.betterworldclub.com/roadside_assistance/bike.htm

cheers!
Liz

[fallstorm]

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=122049&highlight=Better+World+Club

My opinion of it: while it's a good idea, $40 a year is a lot for only two assistance calls and 30 miles total "towing". Also, I question whether or not they'd render assistance on trails like Washington's John Wayne Trail, which is (iirc) a 200 mile bike trail which roughly crosses the state of Washington. Since the route parallels Interstate 90 in most areas, it'd be possible to get to a place where they could help, but it might involve quite a bit of a walk. I wouldn't sign up because the value just isn't high enough in my opinion.

[AndrewP]

I carry spare tube and puncture repair stuff. Other failures that would immobalise me are very rare. I also carry a few local bus tickets. They dont mention how quickly they will rescue you. I wouldnt be interested at that price.

[CycleMagic]

thanks for the link; I didn't do a very good job with the search, eh?

i was thinking the same about the price...i carry my own roadside assitance kit: spare tube, air and a cell phone. was thinking, though, that it may be good insurance for those folks planning on a cross country or cross state trip.

cheers!
Liz

[ken cummings]

Cross US or cross state? OK. With a 30 or 100 mile rescue limit there are some holes is the coverage. My daughter and I locked the keys in the car once when we were sagging for the Eastern Sierra double. Ford motor Credits' roadside assistance paid for a locksmith to come from Mammouth ski area 60 miles out into the Mojave Desert to unlock the car. Cost FMC $100. Would I hesitate to call on my car coverage to help when I was in a remote location on my bike? Depends. When the tow operator gets there and finds a bike s/he will probably help you so he/she can get paid. I keep my car insurance card with me when I bike just in case.

[John E]

On several occasions, I have provided free roadside assistance to other bicyclists. On short rides or rides along bus routes, I always carry at least a pump and a spare inner tube (plus tire levers on the road bikes, but not on the mountain bikes). On longer rides, I carry a multitool, a patch kit, spare change, and a spoke wrench, as well. I have cut back from the old days of carrying a 6"/15cm adjustable spanner, spare spokes, and spare gear and brake cables.

[EnigManiac]

It's funny this thread is here and I hadn't noticed it. After visiting a cargo-bike event last week, I got it in my head to maybe start up a roadside assistance service using a cargo bike that could actually transport damaged bikes or fix a disabled bike on the scene. The uniqueness of the service would certainly attract attention, but would there be sufficient demand for a service like this to survive? That's the question.

[SamHouston]

In the downtown area there are too many small bike shops within walking distance of one another to make this a viable service. For example there are 3 shops on Harbord between ossington & lippincott. The whole town below Eglington is flush with shops

[SamHouston]

ALthough now that I think about it, there is a cat that already does that in his spare time, with one of those trailers the guy on the island makes. I don't know the guy, but he probably has time on his hands and does it for fun.

[EnigManiac]

In the downtown area there are too many small bike shops within walking distance of one another to make this a viable service. For example there are 3 shops on Harbord between ossington & lippincott. The whole town below Eglington is flush with shops

Exactly what I was thinking too. But, commuters might not have time to take their bike to the shop and that's where a quick cell phone call to roadside assistance might be a better option. Of course, I rarely see or hear of anyone having a situation either, so maybe it would be pointless.

[ghettocruiser]

In the downtown area there are too many small bike shops within walking distance of one another to make this a viable service. For example there are 3 shops on Harbord between ossington & lippincott. The whole town below Eglington is flush with shops

Compare this with the east end of the city.

Last time I went by, the one remaining bike shop east of Pharmacy Avenue (the guy near the Scarborough Town Centre) appeared to be out of business.

That leaves, by my math, an area of about 100 square kilometers and more than half a million people with no bike shops whatsoever.


Someone jump in if I have missed a place. I too would be interested to find out how remote a location they are willing to service for that $40.00, even though it is US-only, it appears.

[PaulH]

If these people's roadside service is as alow as the onre provided by AAA for cars, you could walk the bike to the shop in less time. $40 is two cab fares, and cabs come very quickly.

Paul

[N_C]

I have bicycle roadside assitance. It is called my wife. Hardly costs me a cent. At most the gas for her to come get me & either take me home or to the bike shop, a huge thank you & a hug & kiss. Pretty inexpensive & very effective & prompt service.

[bbonnn]

I haven't joined yet, but I still contend it's a good idea if you were thinking of joining the LAB and getting all its benefits anyway. Only $9.95 more for the roadside assistance by that math.

Even less if you add the Bicycle service for $15 to an automobile membership.

[webist]

I more often have to interupt my repair to turn down offers of roadside assistance in this area. A nice problem to have.