Monthly Archive for November, 2009

The Segue Generation

yikebike_rider01

The yike bike made it to the invention of the year in TIME magazine. It is a battery propelled penny farthing looking machine designed to be a folding motorized people carrier.
I am a little perplexed about the engineering aspect of the Yike Bike that TIME was so attracted to. It is an electric bicycle without the ability to pedal if you were to run out of power. It does not have any fancy gyroscopic technology to keep upright. It is very light but I’d rather not see it hit a bump on the road, send the rider flying forward while the carbon fiber shatters into pieces. It is designed for urban environments, no? So, why is TIME awarding this pseudo electric bike such honor as vertical farming and bladeless fans? Does this indicate that America is interested in transportation without any physical activity?
The Yike Bike is electronically limited to about the same speed as a Segway. It does not improve the health of the people by making them pedal. It costs more than an average city bike. I guess to justify a Yike Bike, one has to understand the mentality of the people who like toys like the Segway. I don’t see the Yike Bike being used in malls, airports and amusement parks, since one can not just stand on it without movement. Therefore, it will only be used by commuters.
In fact, it would be ideal for my commute to work and back, twice a day except, I will be less visible since one sits so low on a Yike Bike. incidentally, Yike Bike manufacturers think one is more visible on it than on a bicycle. Also, I wont be keeping those pounds off that I normally would riding a bicycle. I am sure my wallet will feel a lot lighter too, since my mode of transport costs over $40 to own. Yes, my daily commuter dutch bike cost me $40.
The Yike Bike will successfully segue between lycraed roadies and techie geeks, bypassing pedal power for transportation. It will be hope against human powered mobility initiatives, namely walking and bicycling, with a recurring non-renewable energy requirement. It will be the new vehicle of choice to go to the next World of Warcraft convention.
At least it encourages people to live in urban environments because one cant really get anywhere important on a Yike Bike in the suburbs.

The yike bike made it to the invention of the year in TIME magazine. It is a battery propelled penny farthing looking machine designed to be a folding motorized people carrier.

I am a little perplexed about the engineering aspect of the Yike Bike that TIME was so attracted to. It is an electric bicycle without the ability to pedal if you were to run out of power. It does not have any fancy gyroscopic technology to keep upright. It is very light but I’d rather not see it hit a bump on the road, send the rider flying forward while the carbon fiber shatters into pieces. It is designed for urban environments, no? So, why is TIME awarding this pseudo electric bike such honor as vertical farming and bladeless fans? Does this indicate that America is interested in transportation without any physical activity?

The Yike Bike is electronically limited to about the same speed as a Segway. It does not improve the health of the people by making them pedal. It costs more than an average city bike. I guess to justify a Yike Bike, one has to understand the mentality of the people who like toys like the Segway. I don’t see the Yike Bike being used in malls, airports and amusement parks, since one can not just stand on it without movement. Therefore, it will only be used by commuters.

In fact, it would be ideal for my commute to work and back, twice a day except, I will be less visible since one sits so low on a Yike Bike. incidentally, Yike Bike manufacturers think one is more visible on it than on a bicycle. Also, I wont be keeping those pounds off that I normally would riding a bicycle. I am sure my wallet will feel a lot lighter too, since my mode of transport costs over $40 to own. Yes, my daily commuter dutch bike cost me $40.

The Yike Bike will successfully segue between lycraed roadies and techie geeks, bypassing pedal power for transportation. It will be hope against human powered mobility initiatives, namely walking and bicycling, with a recurring non-renewable energy requirement. It will be the new vehicle of choice to go to the next World of Warcraft convention.

At least it encourages people to live in urban environments because one cant really get anywhere important on a Yike Bike in the suburbs.

Latest Happenings

I have been silent on this blog for around a month and a half. Firstly, I apologize to all my readers for being inconsistent. I pledge to post at least once a week. If not, you can hire someone locally to blow the air off my bicycle tires.

I have been partly ashamed to post here and partly have no material to write about bicycling or conservation. I am ashamed because I have bought a motorcycle. Though the justifications are solid, it has taken me away from bicycles. I have barely ridden a bicycle three times since I bought the Kawasaki. This is in stark contrast with my car free life since November 2008.

I am very close to moving to a part of town with a walk score of over 80. That will allow me to have a high quality bicycle usage than my current suburban hell hole. Moreover, that part of town recycles.

Since September, I have not ridden the motorcycle to any place other than work, errands between commutes to work and a friend’s dinner party so he could see it. I did ride to Downtown once to see how the longer commute would feel. I am not comfortable cycing in this zip code yet.

As time passes, I get closer to my move and a new life, namely a new life surrounded by beautiful historic houses with tons of character and the friendly people who live and walk in those neighborhoods. I will be closer to my friends and Laya will have access to several parks and barky friends.

Getting over 65 miles per gallon on the motorcycle is not bad either. As the engine breaks in more and the carburetors get smoother, I hope to reach the 80 miles per gallon mark.
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