As you may already know, I support bicycles. I am a huge advocate for improved bicycle infrastructure in Miami, including a comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan.
Nonetheless, I often speak to people who have concerns about using bicycling as a legitimate form of transportation, even if Miami had hundreds of miles of separated bike lanes.
Some of the more popular concerns include fear of theft, lack of secure racks, and problems with the bike’s generous proportions, particularly when on a crowded train or attempting to store it inside of a building. Fortunately, I’ve found a solution to most of these concerns: folding bikes.
The folding bicycle certainly isn’t new technology, but it’s rare I see people using these bikes and even rarer to hear people talk about them.
A couple weeks ago, I was introduced to the amazing convenience of the folding bike. I was in Brooklyn at the time, and was planning on going down to Philly for the weekend to visit some old friends. Lucky for me one of my friends allowed me to borrow their new Dahon.
After learning how to fold and unfold the bike, I packed some clothes in a backpack, and raced off through Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and into Lower Manhattan. I decided to test its convenience on the subway – no problem. Even fumbling at bit, it only took about one minute to fold up the bike and it was light (only like 20-25 lbs.) enough to carry right over the turnstile. The C train was relatively crowded, but I was still able to get a seat comfortably while holding the folded bike.
At Penn Station, I didn’t have to worry about maneuvering a regular sized bike through masses of people, nor having to lug it up or down stairs/escalators. I boarded Amtrak, stowed the bike in the rack above my seat, and read a book during the hour and change trip.
Upon arriving at 30th Street Station in Philly, I didn’t even have to bother with cab fare – I just unfolded the bike and road off to meet my friends about 12 or 13 blocks away. Upon arriving at my friends’ place, I folded the bike back up, walked past the doorman without any looks or objections, took the elevator with ease, and stored it in their small apartment without feeling guilty about space.
I was hooked. I just ordered a Dahon myself, and can’t hardly wait another day for it to arrive. In the meantime, let me share with you just a short list of benefits for folded bikes:
- Integrates flawlessly with all forms of transit. Instead of taking up a bunch of space on a Metrorail car, or loading and unloading a regular sized bike on the front of a bus, the folded bike is easy to carry on board
- They usually fold up in just 15-30 seconds
- Most of them fit conveniently into a duffel bag or suitcase – perfect for carry-on luggage on planes
- They take up a fraction of space in your home (especially great for smaller living spaces)
- No longer do you have to worry about them getting stolen from some random chain-up or even a rack. You probably won’t even need to buy any chains or locks in the first place
- You could even bring it into the office. Put it in a carrying bag, it stores easily
- Performance is as good as or better than regular sized bikes, depending on what model and/or brand you use
- Allows you the freedom to go just about anywhere; its convenient integration with transit is particularly beneficial
Photo courtesy of joelmann’s flickr account
Great article. Folding bikes are a great idea and at 25 pounds its lighter than my Trek non-folding Mountain Bike.
My only concern would be how sturdy they are. Did the bike seem like it would handle daily use without breaking down?
I like the idea of folding bikes, but I really don’ think that is the big problem with bike riding in Miami. A lack of transit connectivity, crazy drivers that try to scare bikers off the roads, and lack of bike lanes are the primary issues. I went back and read the piece from 05/25/07 and I agree with your locations.
Especially now with so many new bike groups popping up and organizing, bike lanes should be a high priority.
wow!!!!!!
Great bikes. Which one did you order? I think I will get one too.
I am from Bogota, Colombia, and one of the things I miss the most is the bike friendliness of the city.
It started with one controversial mayor who build hundreds of miles of bike paths. Not everyone was crazy about the idea, but once they were built and people started using them, everyone has loved it.
Also, every sunday, some of the major arterials were closed from 7 am to 2 pm to be used exclusively for bikes/joggers, skaters.
Another great event was that once a year, there was a “Car free day”.
Literally, private automobiles were banned from the streets for a full day. This is in an 8 million people city. And it was so much fun. You would see people from all walks of life (business men, students, etc, etc) riding their bikes and transit.
If only some of these ideas were implemented here……
Folding bikes are great. I work a couple of nights a week at a bike shop on the beach and we sell lots of them. Mostly to people who live in the larger condos who like the portability of them. They are also great for boaters.
miami-forum: The Dahon I rode was extremely sturdy. The steering is even more precise than a regular bike.
Anon#1: I agree. I think the folding bicycles add an extra element, though, which is never a bad thing.
Anon #2: Ahh, you must be talking about Ciclovia. Wow after experiencing that you really must be disenchanted by Miami’s embarrassing bicycle infrastructure? One of my happiest days is the one Miami starts a similar program to Ciclovia. Oh and I ordered Dahon’s “Jetstream P8″.
King of France: Any chance you could comment on the name and/or location of this bike shop on the beach, or any other you know of that sell these in the Miami area?
Certainly: Fritzs on Lincoln Rd. But almost any shop can order either a Dahon or Cayne for you. One thing to be careful about is that there some folding bikes that are more about design than function (i.e. the Puma bike).
Just curious if anyone has taken part in any of the local bike groups that started here. There are currently two critical mass rides, and B.A.S.I.C. on the beach. Recently Isaiah Thompson from the new times started a bike blog as well. There are new ways to get involved. Contact your commissioner and ask for bike lanes.
The bike shop on 5th St. and Washington Ave. (the North side from China Grill) also sells Dahon’s as I saw one in there the last time I went in to get a flat fixed.
Probably the biggest advantage to a foldable bike weather anyone mentions it or not is that it’s small enough to store indoors at all times. This means MUCH longer life of the bike as sitting around in the elements causes much more wear and tear than you might realize to a bike. I also bike/metrorail to work and fortunately I have room at home and the office to store my full size bike indoors. My nearly 3 year old bike still looks (and rides) brand new. I do occasionally add a few drops of dry lubricant to the chain and keep the tires inflated but thats it really.
Bikes make things crowded? Even been to old Europe? Regular bikes are just fine, maybe for the poor in Miami, global warming, and the benefit of humanity we need more big bikes and less cars.
That’s what we’re saying…
Well at least Doral is heading in the right direction. Check out their Bikeway Masterplan: http://www.cityofdoral.com/doral/upload/dl/City_News/Bikeways_Plan_Executive_Summary.pdf