I'd never heard of this but now you know too - remembering those that have passed on...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Bus Bicycle Rack - HowTo in Honolulu
For the first of many to come in this HowTo In Honolulu series, we'll demonstrate how to take your bicycle on TheBus.
I'm starting this chronicle literally right now. I did a search for any How-to videos, hoping to show my brother how to bring his the bicycle on TheBus. Here in Honolulu, between a bicycle and TheBus, its way too easy to get around the island. I ended up coming across the video below, which is actually from San Francisco's MUNI bus. The bicycle mounting workflow is exactly the same as the racks used by TheBus here in Honolulu.
IMPORTANT NOTE
You'll notice that they demonstrate how to first lower the rack by releasing the lever, then fold down. Then the subject proceeds to put the bike on the rack and hooks on to the wheel. I wanted to point out two important factors that will aid you in your speed of mount/dismount:
1) Notice that the subject spins her bike when first approaching the bus, then releases the lever. The reason that she spins the bicycle around is because the front wheel is what requires the hook - only one side has the hook. This leads to, 2) when you lower the rack, you will see a note on the bars that indicate which side is the front wheel. What I like to do is to lift my bike onto my shoulder as the bus is approaching the curb, then use my open hand to lower the rack. In the case of the video, I'd use my right side to hold the bike, left to lower the rack, then immediately place to bike on the rack and hook in.
When you get off the bus, dismount the same way. Continuing with the video below, use your right arm to hold the bike as you use the left to raise and lock the rack back into the folded position...I think I should just make my own video.
I'm also going to add a page that has Honolulu specific information. Update: I put the HowTo in Honolulu page up and will be adding to it as these types of posts come up.
I'm starting this chronicle literally right now. I did a search for any How-to videos, hoping to show my brother how to bring his the bicycle on TheBus. Here in Honolulu, between a bicycle and TheBus, its way too easy to get around the island. I ended up coming across the video below, which is actually from San Francisco's MUNI bus. The bicycle mounting workflow is exactly the same as the racks used by TheBus here in Honolulu.
IMPORTANT NOTE
You'll notice that they demonstrate how to first lower the rack by releasing the lever, then fold down. Then the subject proceeds to put the bike on the rack and hooks on to the wheel. I wanted to point out two important factors that will aid you in your speed of mount/dismount:
1) Notice that the subject spins her bike when first approaching the bus, then releases the lever. The reason that she spins the bicycle around is because the front wheel is what requires the hook - only one side has the hook. This leads to, 2) when you lower the rack, you will see a note on the bars that indicate which side is the front wheel. What I like to do is to lift my bike onto my shoulder as the bus is approaching the curb, then use my open hand to lower the rack. In the case of the video, I'd use my right side to hold the bike, left to lower the rack, then immediately place to bike on the rack and hook in.
When you get off the bus, dismount the same way. Continuing with the video below, use your right arm to hold the bike as you use the left to raise and lock the rack back into the folded position...I think I should just make my own video.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Great video - Overview on bicycle anatomy
I just came across this great video that breaks the bicycle down and names all the major components involved. I think I'll start to aggregate some of these videos on the videos page
Some great finds...
During some brief browsing online, I found some great sites on bicycle culture, some awe-inspiring engineering and somewhat cooky but brilliant community forms of transportation.
WorkCycles philosophy:
The bicycle is a perfect example of the beautiful minimalism the world should adopt to continue forward. We promote everyday cycling amongst individuals, families and enterprises by supplying the most practical, beautiful and affordable bicycles possible and by providing an unmatched level of service.
The bicycle is a perfect example of the beautiful minimalism the world should adopt to continue forward. We promote everyday cycling amongst individuals, families and enterprises by supplying the most practical, beautiful and affordable bicycles possible and by providing an unmatched level of service.
About the Buscycle
The Busycle is a 15-person pedal-powered bus that travels in neighborhoods throughout the United States. The Busycle runs solely on the energy of its passengers. Anyone willing to pull their weight and pedal can be a Busycle passenger. The Busycle requires individuals to use their own will and physical strength to come together as a group to go from point A to point B.
About Bike Hugger
Bike Hugger is bike culture blogged. As a group blog, with different voices, we cover diverse topics, but all focused on bikes.
Straight up, we’re about the cycling lifestyle. You won’t find a marketing box to put us in. We’re like the Boing Boing of bikes.
Gathering my thoughts
I was searching around the wonderful web space for bicycle culture in Honolulu, Hawai'i and have really been surprised.
Let me back up a bit and mention that I just moved to Honolulu three days after the New Year (2010). My move toward a more minimalist life drove me to the ideal of living without a vehicle - this is just one item of many I no longer live with. I'm not positive that I'd ever want to live in a cave but am moving toward a more primal blueprint - welcome to the blog...
I'll just say now that I absolutely LOVE my freedom machine. This blog will mindfully record the bicycle culture here in Honolulu and hopefully inspire those that live here - the idea is not to 'influence' but simply provide insight and information to an alternative form of transportation/living/freeing yourself from gas prices and "insurance" policies.
I know I'll be learning A LOT and will be enjoy sharing this information of my new home...or am I just returning home?
Thanks for reading and hope to hear your feedback and thoughts on bicycle culture...
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