My new commuting tool
04-09-10, 09:31 AM
#1
Pedaled too far.
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My new commuting tool
A masonry brush, great for sweeping the glass out of your path.
If you're like me, you ride the same routes frequently. That means you pass the same glass fields time after time.
This week someone really took the cake and had a glass smashing party along the main MUP through the park I ride in on my way home from work. Probably a 300 yard section with alcohol bottles smashed every 50 feet or so. And not just single bottles because each glass field had both brown and clear glass. Parts were impassible.
So yesterday I stopped by Big Lots and found a masonry brush for 3 bucks. It's small enough to fit on the bike, big enough to push a fair amount of glass at one stroke, and you can flip it sideways to scoop glass bits that hide in the crevices in the asphalt.
I spent a half an hour going through the park and sweeping a path through the glass fields. There was just too much to sweep it all away, but at least there was a visibly clear and straight path through when I was done.
Now I'm getting addicted. On the way to work today, I swept one glass field to the side, and cleared some pebbles off a short cut I take.
If you're like me, you ride the same routes frequently. That means you pass the same glass fields time after time.
This week someone really took the cake and had a glass smashing party along the main MUP through the park I ride in on my way home from work. Probably a 300 yard section with alcohol bottles smashed every 50 feet or so. And not just single bottles because each glass field had both brown and clear glass. Parts were impassible.
So yesterday I stopped by Big Lots and found a masonry brush for 3 bucks. It's small enough to fit on the bike, big enough to push a fair amount of glass at one stroke, and you can flip it sideways to scoop glass bits that hide in the crevices in the asphalt.
I spent a half an hour going through the park and sweeping a path through the glass fields. There was just too much to sweep it all away, but at least there was a visibly clear and straight path through when I was done.
Now I'm getting addicted. On the way to work today, I swept one glass field to the side, and cleared some pebbles off a short cut I take.
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Last edited by Artkansas; 04-09-10 at 09:35 AM.
04-09-10, 11:48 AM
#3
Yue Tao
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I've often thought of doing this on the sidewalk-bridge overpass I ride everyday. There is always a lot of glass on it. The rain sometimes sweeps it away though. I've had only two flats in six months. It won't be worth my time. Your situation sounds very different though. You're helping others, not only yourself though so good job.
04-09-10, 12:20 PM
#4
Pedaled too far.
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But sometimes there are some nasty bits it would be nicer to have to deal with only once. Though I admit, that in New York, you might not want to stray from your bike to push a little glass out of the way.
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04-09-10, 12:27 PM
#5
wannabe
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I actually got a little handbrush/dustpan combo that fits together at the Goodwill a while ago. A couple bags to haul it away and I'm set. I've gotta a few atta boys from passers by. I hate gl*******s.
04-09-10, 01:05 PM
#6
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Great Idea. I have thought about this quite a bit. It is always nice to clean up the trails.
04-09-10, 02:43 PM
#8
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Just make a rig mounted to your front forks that holds the brush in front of the wheel. Sweep and move
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