Alternative to electric car

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May 3rd, 2014 at 8:39:35 AM permalink
reno
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 58
Posts: 1384
Quote: AZDuffman
Looks like a good way to fall and break your neck.


I wonder if the German public had the same thought in 1817 when Karl Drais took a ride on the first rudimentary bicycle. No one had ever seen anything like it before.
May 3rd, 2014 at 8:43:06 AM permalink
reno
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 58
Posts: 1384
Quote: Pacomartin
It looks like it takes a little bit of training to use.


Maybe so. But your average 8 year old child can master a bicycle. This thing is gyro-stabilized, and a bicycle isn't.
May 3rd, 2014 at 11:05:53 AM permalink
boymimbo
Member since: Mar 25, 2013
Threads: 5
Posts: 732
When I lived in Westwood, NJ, we'd park at the train station, took NJ Transit all the way into Penn Station, transferring at Secausus, then transfer onto a subway. The other major transportation hub into the city, Grand Central, takes care Metro North trains, while from the south, it's PATH via Hoboken and the Newark NJ Transit hub (you can use your MetoPass on PATH, BUT it's a separate charge).
May 3rd, 2014 at 6:05:57 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: boymimbo
When I lived in Westwood, NJ, we'd park at the train station, took NJ Transit all the way into Penn Station, transferring at Secausus, then transfer onto a subway.


So for $273 per month you took a 37 minute (18 mile) train to Seacaucus, then a 7 minute transfer and a 13 minute (4.5 mile) train into NYPenn station. Times vary only slightly depending on which train. Plus $112 month for metrocard.
If you could catch the 7-line that would save you $117 per month. Even if there was a surcharge for getting on the subway in Seacucus, the time saving would probably help (especially if you worked near the 7-line)

Monthly $273
Depart : WESTWOOD at 5:32 AM
Board : Train 1602 toward HOBOKEN
Arrive : FRANK R LAUTENBERG SECAUCUS LOWER LEVEL at 6:09 AM
Depart : FRANK R LAUTENBERG SECAUCUS UPPER LEVEL at 6:16 AM
Board : Train 6604 toward NEW YORK PENN STATION
Arrive : NEW YORK PENN STATION at 6:29 AM

Monthly $156
Depart : WESTWOOD at 5:32 AM
Board : Train 1602 toward HOBOKEN
Arrive : FRANK R LAUTENBERG SECAUCUS LOWER LEVEL at 6:09 AM

====================
Presumably you worked within 2 miles of Penn Station. A $2000 25 lb vehicle capable of up to 10 mph would be paid off in 1.5 years if it saved you $112 month in subway monthly pass. Presumably if it saves you a taxi fare once a week they payback period could be a lot less.
May 5th, 2014 at 11:11:56 AM permalink
reno
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 58
Posts: 1384
Quote: Pacomartin
There is a warning that the knock-offs are unsafe.


May 5th, 2014 at 11:27:41 AM permalink
TheCesspit
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 23
Posts: 1929
Quote: Pacomartin
Hmm. Twenty five pounds, and up to 10 mph. It looks like it takes a little bit of training to use. The description says it takes some skill to get up curbs, as you are counting on curb cuts most of the time.

I like the idea that you use them on the sidewalk. It seems a lot safer.


Unless you are walking and some eejit runs into you with one. Anything that goes much above a fast walk shouldn't be on the sidewalk where people might be walking.
It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die.... it's called Life
May 5th, 2014 at 3:31:14 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: TheCesspit
Unless you are walking and some eejit runs into you with one. Anything that goes much above a fast walk shouldn't be on the sidewalk where people might be walking.


NYC law is no driving bikes (2 or 3 wheels) on sidewalks unless sign allows or wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter and rider is twelve years or younger.


Police can cite unicycles for obstructing pedestrian traffic on an empty sidewalk. That may be a judgement call, but the police usually win.
May 6th, 2014 at 4:28:12 AM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
All this discussion about urban transport.... I thought everyone was telecommuting and holding meetings in cyberspace with kickstart money?

Bicycles: Jews in Brooklyn lobbied to get a bike lane removed from their street because they didn't like to see the offensive display of a female's ankles. Arabs are probably lobbying to remove bike lanes so as avoid the offensive sight of females.
May 6th, 2014 at 10:19:03 AM permalink
reno
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 58
Posts: 1384
Quote: Fleastiff
Jews in Brooklyn lobbied to get a bike lane removed from their street because they didn't like to see the offensive display of a female's ankles.


Interesting. Fewer bikes and more oil money for Saudi Arabia?
May 6th, 2014 at 1:04:41 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569

This bike is 58 pounds, and in a pinch can go 40 miles if you peddle it. With the solowheel you don't have the option of peddling. So when the charge runs out you have a 25 pound weight. They are both about $2K.

In NYC you certainly cannot ride on a sidewalk with the electric bike.
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