Railbikes

[kjohnnytarr]

Anyone seen this before:

http://railbike.com/photoalbum/pages/RRxing1_jpg.htm

I know I've posted this in SSFG, but I though it might be appreciated here. Solid long distance transport for the car-free in years to come, maybe? After all, trains are becoming less common in some places.

[maddyfish]

If you thought getting buzzed by a car was trouble, wait until a train tries to share the track with you!

[jeff-o]

It would make it tricky to pass the slow-poke in front of you... ;)

[wrafl]

I like the idea but it's weight will probably be a safety factor. Looks like you need 2 people to lift it off and on the track. Can you imagine yourself on a nice quiet ride when suddenly there's a fast moving train ahead? Perhaps someone could come up with a better design using light material and could be lifted off by a single person.

[kjohnnytarr]

But take a look at some statistics on how fast railways are being abandoned. Especially frieght railways.

[wrafl]

But take a look at some statistics on how fast railways are being abandoned. Especially frieght railways.

I definitely agree but who's going to maintain those rail tracks when the rail company abandon them? I know some former rail tracks in my area where converted to some trail for bicycles, X country ski trail on winter, hikers and joggers and even horse riding.

[kjohnnytarr]

I definitely agree but who's going to maintain those rail tracks when the rail company abandon them? I know some former rail tracks in my area where converted to some trail for bicycles, X country ski trail on winter, hikers and joggers and even horse riding.

We have trails like that here too. But if the intended goal was a safe way to travel long distances car-free, maintaining a rail line for vehicles like this would be far easier than converting it to a smooth trail. Only problem is the anonymity of these bikes; no-one knows what the hell they are.