Folding Bikes - The Ultimate Reason To Buy A Folding Bike

I have located a really interesting video from the people who I consider the ultimate source on bikes-the Dutch. Here is an eye opening segment from their television about bike theft. The only viable means for protection for any bike, not just expensive ones, are folding bikes. Just think of the money you will save on locks that cannot work and buying even more replacement bikes. It has English Subtitles.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=G1yImVLW_Q0 (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=G1yImVLW_Q0)

+1 - I love folding up my Tikit and taking it inside with me when I'm about town shopping or running errands. Not only is my bike safe from theft, but I can devote my whole attention to the task at hand rather than thinking about my bike.

Sadly, one of the reasons folding bikes work for us (Who Already Have Them) is that there are comparatively few of us. If everyone had a folding bike, and took it everywhere, they would soon be outlawed inside buildings and we would be right back to status quo.

Similarly, folding bikes are now allowed on the trains I take, but very few people bring them on that train. If everyone brought a folding bike, they would soon be outlawed, which would totally ruin my beautiful multi-modal commute.

That's a valid point rhm. We should discourage people from ever buying folding bikes. ;)

--sam

sadly, one of the reasons folding bikes work for us (who already have them) is that there are comparatively few of us. If everyone had a folding bike, and took it everywhere, they would soon be outlawed inside buildings and we would be right back to status quo.

Similarly, folding bikes are now allowed on the trains i take, but very few people bring them on that train. If everyone brought a folding bike, they would soon be outlawed, which would totally ruin my beautiful multi-modal commute.

+1

Sadly, one of the reasons folding bikes work for us (Who Already Have Them) is that there are comparatively few of us. If everyone had a folding bike, and took it everywhere, they would soon be outlawed inside buildings and we would be right back to status quo.

Similarly, folding bikes are now allowed on the trains I take, but very few people bring them on that train. If everyone brought a folding bike, they would soon be outlawed, which would totally ruin my beautiful multi-modal commute.

that's exactly what i'm afraid of.

Besides another +1 for the folding bike, is that it is simply cool, it feels special to have one (until the above scenario happens), every day in my commute, people are awed, and bemused to see me so comfy on my bike, sitting, meanwhile everyone else is standing in the train.

also at how compact, light and easy to carry i make it look like :lol:

it only seems that way, after you (the owner) has got used to the bike, and know what's the quickest way to get things right.

another thing i take into consideration when taking the bike on the train with me, is which is the best station to get out off, and ride the rest of the way on my own.

because, some stations has really inconvenient access, other, has just waaaaay too much people during rush hour, and etc..

so personally i narrowed it down to a few good stations that is good for me, and not bother any one, when i'm exiting the train. :thumb:

Perhaps a longer term outlook has the folding bike becoming the normal way of getting about in the West. With trains & buses designed around them. So your multi-mode commute could blossom.

my reason was, that I moved 50km away from the capital city.
need the train and bus, thus need a folding bike.
as for the security issue: I now miss the time when I rode an ugly bike, and could park anywhere, sometimes unlocked, and not worry of theft while going into shopping malls.
now, I have to get used to carrying my dahon, 250 bucks used, into shopping malls....
maybe I will uglify it, sandpaper the whole frame......
but then, many here have already known that a folding bike is expensive..............however ugly...

I have an old Dahon Mariner, pre-2000, all steel, 35lb monster, that I got on craigslist. Its a good ride but its a hassle lugging it up and down escalators and stairs. I'd rather lock it up for an hour or two than drag it in a restaurant.

So my question is what is a good bike lock? All the locks in the youtube video look like off brand models. I was at the LBC a few days ago and I almost bought the first lock that got broken in 44 seconds (or looked like it.)

Similarly, folding bikes are now allowed on the trains I take, but very few people bring them on that train. If everyone brought a folding bike, they would soon be outlawed, which would totally ruin my beautiful multi-modal commute.

Given how many people own bikes...How many of those actually ride their bikes...How many of that group that ride to work...How many of them would buy & ride a folder - you have nothing to worry about...:roflmao2:

A wave of folder riders is not about swarm your train or office building....;)

Once upon a time, only the priveleged few had cars. They probably said to themselves "We have the ultimate transport solution here! It's so much more convenient than public transport! The only problem is, if everyone had one, there'd be nowhere to park, and they'd be outlawed". In reality, the more people had them, the more society, it's shops, homes and businesses, adapted. The same can happen again.

I have an old Dahon Mariner, pre-2000, all steel, 35lb monster, that I got on craigslist. Its a good ride but its a hassle lugging it up and down escalators and stairs. I'd rather lock it up for an hour or two than drag it in a restaurant.

So my question is what is a good bike lock? All the locks in the youtube video look like off brand models. I was at the LBC a few days ago and I almost bought the first lock that got broken in 44 seconds (or looked like it.)

When I bought an old steel frame 1968 Phillips, I experienced the same problem. Even though it was a non folding bike, it was still quite heavy for me to lift it up stairs, on bus racks, etc. So I solved the problem just like I did when I was a child. In those days, there were not a large line of separate models of bikes to choose from. You would pick a bike you kind of liked and took it home. That is where the fun began. You would either add or subtracted parts to your ideal of what a bike should be like. To get somewhat closer to an acceptable weight to carry around, subtract (take off) any part that you don't need. And when you replace a worn part, be sure to add a lighter part. As for locks, if you need one think twice before even bringing the bike with you. I do subsitute other forms of transportation before I would ever consider bringing one of the folders with me.

If you still want to lock your bike up, just follow the advice of the former bike thief-hardened steel chains & similar padlock. And try to have a human watch it. The closest manned bike security storage for me is around 30 miles away so it might not be the ideal. And understand the risks before you do leave it even locked up properly.

If I have to lock up my bike, I always do it folded. I figure a bike that looks "broken" is less attractive.

I am always on a move to different place in various countries & i am also over weight so need some exercies besides cycling i dnt like nethin so for me it very easy to carry it with me where ever im on a move & light weighted also its damn uselfull for me


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Sadly, one of the reasons folding bikes work for us (Who Already Have Them) is that there are comparatively few of us. If everyone had a folding bike, and took it everywhere, they would soon be outlawed inside buildings and we would be right back to status quo.

Similarly, folding bikes are now allowed on the trains I take, but very few people bring them on that train. If everyone brought a folding bike, they would soon be outlawed, which would totally ruin my beautiful multi-modal commute.this makes no sense. on what grounds would they be outlawed?

something becomes outlawed when it is BOTH popular AND inconvenient/dangerous. carrying a folding bike inside.... could not possibly be outlawed on these grounds. its not like you are riding it into your office and then unfolding it, which is already not allowed in most places i imagine.

this makes no sense. on what grounds would they be outlawed?

something becomes outlawed when it is BOTH popular AND inconvenient/dangerous. carrying a folding bike inside.... could not possibly be outlawed on these grounds. its not like you are riding it into your office and then unfolding it, which is already not allowed in most places i imagine.

I would have to agree with this. I can't imagine the folding bike being outlawed as such. Their folded size makes storing solutions easier than with full sized bikes, and I would think that transportation and building administrators will welcome them more.

Back to the OP's original topic, I think the ultimate reason to buy a folding bike is that it's a lot of fun.

Back to the OP's original topic, I think the ultimate reason to buy a folding bike is that it's a lot of fun.

+1 on that and all the people you pass staring at you. :D

Small wheels are sexy

The only viable means for protection for any bike, not just expensive ones, are folding bikes. Just think of the money you will save on locks that cannot work and buying even more replacement bikes. It has English Subtitles.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=G1yImVLW_Q0 (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=G1yImVLW_Q0)

Not true.

The reason so many bikes are stolen is due to the fact people are using bike racks. The bike rack used to be a good place to lock a bike. Not anymore. It doesn't surprise me that 900,000 thousand bikes are stolen from those racks because crooks know no one will do a thing to stop them so they can steal in front of everyone!

My commuter was attacked three times parking it within walking distance of the train station. In fact, the bikes at the station continue to rotate as old beaters are stolen and replaced with new ones. I've come to the conclusion you should NEVER park within two blocks of a train station and that includes bike racks.

I've found that hinding my bike gets the best results. It has yet to be attacked and the crooks can't find it. In fact, the crooks go to bike racks, not behind the mall. I'll take my chances any day hiding my bike away from foot traffic than locking it in front of everyone who wants to steal it.

There's an old bicycle saying that all urban bikes weigh 20 kilograms. You can ride a 19 kg bike with a one kilogram lock, or a 13 kg bike with 7 kg of locks or even a 7 kg bike with 13 kg of locks!

About the only way to beat the system is to fold it up and take it with you.

tcs

Not true.

The reason so many bikes are stolen is due to the fact people are using bike racks. The bike rack used to be a good place to lock a bike. Not anymore. It doesn't surprise me that 900,000 thousand bikes are stolen from those racks because crooks know no one will do a thing to stop them so they can steal in front of everyone!

My commuter was attacked three times parking it within walking distance of the train station. In fact, the bikes at the station continue to rotate as old beaters are stolen and replaced with new ones. I've come to the conclusion you should NEVER park within two blocks of a train station and that includes bike racks.

I've found that hinding my bike gets the best results. It has yet to be attacked and the crooks can't find it. In fact, the crooks go to bike racks, not behind the mall. I'll take my chances any day hiding my bike away from foot traffic than locking it in front of everyone who wants to steal it.

I and others who use these bikes already moved beyond the need for beaters and locks. Before I discovered folders, I was limited to "safe houses" where I would store my bikes while I was out and about. In a place where I had no friends or relatives living close by, I resorted to beaters or drove a car (a more likely option) as even bike thieves are not stupid. Around here, they look for bikes that are in ride-able condition to make a quick sale or keep themselves.

I no longer need to drive except for transporting my crippled mother around. I have the same folding bikes I bought 2-5 years ago. I have not needed to replace them because of theft. I gave away my last beautiful beater (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/338611633/in/set-72157594461421431/) to the Bicycle Kitchen (http://www.bicyclekitchen.com/) earlier this year. I could not use the bike anymore. Someone would have vandalize or attempt to steal the bike no matter if I was watching it, what lock I used, or where I locked it. That is the ultimate liberation from theft fears and a good chance to keep on using bikes as a car alternative. And freedom from most forms of thievery without the really secure (properly set up and manned) storage infrastructure only a few places offer any cyclist. I will probably be dead before something like secure parking is made available around here.