bluefoxicy

Bike's too bulky for that last mile. Well, sometimes. Let's be honest: I walk the 3/4 mile, but now it's going to be a 1 3/4 mile. Even a folding bike requires changing out my clothes (because the chainring eats my pants and the chain stains my pants with chain lube, at least).

So ... ZBoard? Electric skateboard that moves forward when you lean forward and activates regenerative braking when you lean back. Easier to carry because it's less bulky, but the high-end model (the lightest one, yet longest battery life) weighs 30 pounds?! My bike weighs less!

It's like a baby version of an ebike. An ebike for people who aren't willing to put on biking gear.

Should I do it? I don't skateboard but my balance is pretty good, I can stand without support on public transit and walk on ice without falling. Also it moves forward when you lean forward and brakes when you lean back, so that's like automatic balance right there.

Wolfwerx

Roll up your pantleg, or buy the skateboard. Where's the dilemma?

Looigi

Uhhhh, yeah. A very old old problem with many established solutions: Roll up the leg, put a strap around the loose pant leg, or a gaiter, chain guard, zip off leg pants etc...

The electric skateboard looks like it'd be fun though, in the right environment.

bluefoxicy

I've done all these. Tied (it still hits the chain and gets splashed), rolled (it unrolls, and still gets hit unless it's rolled up to the knee), a chain guard I haven't used but I have derailleurs.

The pants I'm wearing are $70 twill pants (that I got for $24), they're basically slacks. They're fancy business casual stuff, not Party Guy break-away pants. The only real solution I've found with a bicycle is to not wear pants.

Skateboard might be fun, but if I was going to skateboard I'd get a skateboard. If I want to commute 20 miles on a bike I'll get an ebike because there's no way I'm going to do 20 miles every day up hill on my own power. I know people who do it, they're better at this than me. Boost to 20mph though, that would make all distances about half as long.

I have a regular bike because I like to bike, and because the places I want to bike to are within 5-10 miles; I'd get a regular skateboard if carrying a bike was unwieldly but everything was within a few blocks anyway. The problem I'm having is carrying a bike is unwieldly, but the distances are definitely regular bike distances, so a good Trek 2.1 would be great for ... about a mile and a half. Then I'd have to get on the train. Then I'd have to bike half a block (...). Then I'd have to lock up the bike and get changed. This isn't worth a mile and a half, but walking a half hour to ride the train for 20 minutes is ridiculous.

You know what? I have zero skateboard experience. I'm going to go buy a regular longboard for like $80 (... why are these things so expensive?!) and see if they're ridiculously bad for going uphill, like I think but like experienced skateboarders tell me is fine. If this turns into a thing, $800 electric skateboard maybe. Or maybe it's stupid and skateboarders belong in 14 year old kids' backpacks.

Booger1

Electric skateboard....HMMMM???.......Sort of like a battery operated hampster in a cage.....

wahoonc

Roller Blades? I have had a line of bladers drafting me when I was on my bike at 15-18mph on flat ground...

Aaron

himespau 

Walking half an hour for a 20-30 minute train ride sucks, but I did it for a couple of years. Maybe a folding bike with a chain guard so you don't have to lock it up or change? Bike with a belt/rod drive? When they invent the hoverboards from back to the future 2, I'm all in.