Narz's Alternative Transportation Thread

[LucyDuke]

Hi Lucy. I hadn't read the article but I did read the book I noticed it referenced (The Long Emergency).

About as close as you can get, then, huh? The author of the article (actually, that's a transcription of a speech he gave) is the author of the book. It sounds like you read the long version of the article. Is the book any good?

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Of course, but it'll get you a bike that'll last. Although admittedly I'm talking here from my viewpoint so the 1000€ is for MTB. For a going to places-bike I'd estimate that 500€ will do the trick. The most important thing is durability. Nothing is more frustrating than having to repair the thing every weekend.

The new hybrids for this year are looking pretty decent. Here is a new Canadian one, in that general 500 euro price range. Nice disk brakes, decent components and a good frame. Beautiful for just getting around, when you don't want to be hunched over as much as a road bike, and when you aren't as sure about the road/path quality.

Kona Dew Deluxe

 

[Urederra]

Just because you Eurowussies can't handle the snow, doesn't mean I can't.

I am currently living in Minnesota, and I haven't seen people on bike around during winter.

 

[Atlas14]

I'll probably be driving a Chevy Cobalt. I already do a load of walking to reduce unneeded driving.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

I am currently living in Minnesota, and I haven't seen people on bike around during winter.

It was a joke man... besides Americans can be lumped in with Eurowussies. My point is that Canadians are the toughest (read: most insane) people on Earth.

You are absolutely right of course. Most people don't ride in the winter, and for good reason. However, this thread was asking about our personal transport in five years, not what everyone else should do; I personally do ride to school in winter. My brother is crazier though. I have been walking home at 10:30 pm when its -20C and snowing and seen my brother riding in the opposite direction to go to work

 

[Murky]

If I wasn't worried about getting run over I would ride my bike more often. Last year, 3 people got killed in car-bike crashes in the area where I live.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

How many died in car-on-car crashes? More, I'll wager.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

If I wasn't worried about getting run over I would ride my bike more often. Last year, 3 people got killed in car-bike crashes in the area where I live.

Ya, it is scary riding on the road. Luckily Calgary has a pretty extensive bike path system; you do end up on the road a lot though. If you can stick to bike paths as much as you can, then the biggest problem is finding a safe place to store your bike.

How many died in car-on-car crashes? More, I'll wager.

Come on Eran, you know better than that. Obviously you have to create some sort of "per capita of users" measure. Last I checked, being a cyclist on the road is several times more dangerous than being in a car (5 times maybe? Obviously it depends on where you live and what kind of infrastructure there is).

 

[joycem10]

Five years from now im finally going to get myself a nice, low, fast, stick shift, sportscar. Maybe a loaded rx-8 (an update of my old highschool rx-7) or a porche or a nissan z or an audi tt.

Barring any of the financial crisis which have hit me each time ive needed a new car the past 2 times.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Five years from now im finally going to get myself a nice, low, fast, stick shift, sportscar. Maybe a loaded rx-8 (an update of my old highschool rx-7) or a porche or a nissan z or an audi tt.

Barring any of the financial crisis which have hit me each time ive needed a new car the past 2 times.

Just for reference :

 

[Narz]

About as close as you can get, then, huh? The author of the article (actually, that's a transcription of a speech he gave) is the author of the book. It sounds like you read the long version of the article. Is the book any good?

I thought the book was one of the better ones on the subject of peak oil (PowerDown was also good. Most of the others I read were pretty dry and overly techincal). While these day I make think these guys are a bit extreme (though nowhere near as extreme as most people immediately assume they are) I also have a lot of respect for them and think, when it comes to important stuff like where to live, who to live with and how to prepare for the future, it's better to be overly cautious than overly optimistic and ill-prepared from whatever may come.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

A helicopter!

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Come on Eran, you know better than that. Obviously you have to create some sort of "per capita of users" measure. Last I checked, being a cyclist on the road is several times more dangerous than being in a car (5 times maybe? Obviously it depends on where you live and what kind of infrastructure there is).

To be honest, your reaction did seem one of fear. I am sure it is more dangerous per capita (or miles travelled, whatever) but am too lazy to look it up myself . . .

 

[Ansar]

I want to have one of those hybrid cars.

Or a car that will have a high miles/per gallon so I don't have to go to the gas station much.

 

[Drewcifer]

I am currently living in Minnesota, and I haven't seen people on bike around during winter.

Go to Uptown, Northeast or Seward in Minneapolis and you will see plenty of people riding around even when it is -15.

 

[Quiet Sound]

In 5 years time I'd like to be living in a city where cars are unnecessary because it's built to allow for widespread bicycle use and actually has a decent public transit system. Not going to happen but it'd be nice.

/edit

This might be of interest to some of you:

Car Free Cities

I can't begin to comment on the practicality or what the reality of execution would be like but I think it sounds nice.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

To be honest, your reaction did seem one of fear. I am sure it is more dangerous per capita (or miles travelled, whatever) but am too lazy to look it up myself . . .

I am not quite sure what you mean... My fear made me exaggerate the risks? Well maybe. I just remember a "5 times" figure somewhere. I don't remember exactly what the measure was, and it is obviously dependent on the place of study. I imagine there aren't really any universal probabilities available.

 

[bhsup]

A Buick?!

Hand in your badge and gun, your officially an old man now.

Man, why does everyone always say that?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I mean, a lot of people are influenced by what seems likely rather than what is likely. The reason that plane crashes make the news worldwide and car crashes don't aren't because there are more but because there are fewer of them.

 

[stuge]

The new hybrids for this year are looking pretty decent. Here is a new Canadian one, in that general 500 euro price range. Nice disk brakes, decent components and a good frame. Beautiful for just getting around, when you don't want to be hunched over as much as a road bike, and when you aren't as sure about the road/path quality.

Kona Dew Deluxe

Man, that looks pretty nifty. The disc brakes are a bit of an overkill, though they're damn nice to have in winter. This winter went by with v-brakes and it was murder when I got water on the rims in zero temperature and it promptly froze. Like riding a sledge with wheels.

I'd take that for trekking. Unfortunately right now, being a poor, poor student, I'll just have to do with slick tyres in the summer. Plus, I'm trying to save up for a full-suspension MTB.

I'd recommend typing Ktrak into google and seeing what you find. If that thing hits Scandinavia this year, I know what Santa can bring me next christmas.