KrautFed

Unicycle ...just think of the amount of chicks on campus!!!

CigTech

Let's look at it this way. At 3 mph walking, you could walk it in 15 min. Riding it you could make it in 5 min or less. Now if you take the long ride in and back. then you get a better work out then walking it. So if you get up later and need to get there fast. Take the short way in 5 min.

bbonnn

I'd ride. I have a short commute myself, but I'm always needing to stop at the grocery store or do other errands on the way home from work. Having a bike with me makes the difference betwen having to slog home and get the bike out and all that attendant hassle, or just being able to zip to my errands directly after work. Sometimes I rack up 20 miles or more just doing after-work errands (although I do pick out-of-the-way destinations so I can get a good ride in, heh heh).

kemmer

Skateboard/Longboard. You can just carry it around with you so there's nothing to lock up. Depending on your skill level, a backpack full of books could take some getting used to. I'd do the same, but I just started a new job, and I don't want to look un-professional showing up to work with a skateboard just yet.

I hate walking. I keep a beater bike locked up downtown for my 3 block walk from the train to my office. I'm not kidding, I can't stand walking even 3 blocks. I use a really wimpy cable lock that only takes seconds to lock/unlock. If it ever gets stolen I'll just get another one out of the dumpster of the thrift store. I'll be pissed about the lock though, those things cost like 5 bucks.

caloso

I'd walk.

ThatWhichRolls

Don't forget stilts, street luge, and horseless sleigh.

chephy

My rule of thumb: if locking up the bike will take longer than the ride itself - I walk.

chephy

Nice!

Elusor

toronto is cool

i have a 3.4 mile rt commute,

walk or ride?

/hijack(thread)

chephy

Yeah!

Whatever your heart tells ya.

mac

Walk! Besides, you can meet girls on the way to class instead of zipping by on your bike.

chicbicyclist

Many people would kill for that kind of commute. Most people on earth who commute by bike do that distance anyway.

oboeguy

I suppose it depends. I used to ride from class-to-class in college but it was a big campus. Anyhow, yeah, it's only a 15 minute walk but it's a couple minutes' bike ride. Ride you beater bike if you have one to campus and back to save time for a real ride later in the day.

nelson249

I'd walk so at least I would not be worried about my bike getting swiped.

N_C

I voted ride. But only if it took less time to prepare for the ride then it did to actually ride it. If preperation takes longer then the ride itself then I'll walk. I am talking about everything from airing up the tires to putting my helmet on.

MichaelW

I sometimes ride short distances like that, esp if I have to carry heavy stuff.
With short distances the riding speed makes little difference to journey time; preperation and lockup can take a significant proportion so make sure you use a bike which minimises these. Eliminate all the quick release and clip-on accessories you can and fix everything permantly in place.
I would uses something like an old 3 speed or a modern Breezer. I dont think a heavy cruiser is the best way to go.
A wicker basket on the bars is quick and handy for carrying stuff.
Dynamo lighting is fixed to the bike and for some reason people rarely mess with it.

fuerein

My trip between home and work is approx. 1.5 miles; takes me 20-25 to walk, 15 minutes to ride, and 15-20 to take Metro rail. The time savings from riding or metro seem insignificant especially since I don't spend money (metro rail) and don't need to bother finding a place to lock up my bike. As such, I walk almost exclusively. Occasionally I'll ride and when I'm feeling slightly under the weather or just very tired I'll take the rail, but I'd say well over 90+% of the time I walk the route. Yes, even in the rain regardless of my coworkers' opinions.