For Partial Commutes, Use A Bike That Folds

This Sunday, the Denver Post published a list of 10 tips for readers wanting to commute by bike. Among those tips, one caught my eye: "Consider a partial commute."

To commute in part by bike, the story suggests that cyclists haul their bike via public transit or with their car. As a cyclist who has done both, take it from me; partial bike commutes are most practical when using a bike that folds.

A folding bike is far more likely to be accepted on public transit. Typically, standard sized bikes must be stored on a bike rack. Most racks on public transit have room for only 2 bikes. If those spaces are taken, riders of standard bikes are out of luck. Folding bikes don't apply to this rule. Just fold the bike and carry it aboard. Better yet, place your folding bike in a carry bag. Not only will your bike be anonymous; it won't get scratched.

Speaking of scratches, no matter how careful I was, transporting my old, standard sized bike on my car's bike rack without scratching either the bike or the car was impossible. The rack also dented my trunk lid. Another cyclist I know had a terribly embarrassing experience with her bike rack. The $2000+ carbon fiber bike she had borrowed from a friend fell off of her rack while driving down the interstate in Idaho. Apparently, the rack came loose from road vibrations.

Most folding bikes fit easily inside a car trunk, out of sight and out of the elements (see the adjacent photo of my full size, folding mountain bike in the trunk of a Ford subcompact). Store the bike in the car and, when conditions are good for commuting by bike, park the car, pull out the bike, unfold it in seconds & go. Since folding bikes can also be brought into most office buildings and placed beside your desk, bikes that fold deter theft. In fact, a case comes to mind in which a string of cars parked in Memphis with bike racks were burglarized while adjacent cars were not. Thieves knew that drivers of the cars with bike racks were participating in a group ride.

If you'd like to read the Denver Post's advice for commuting by bicycle, visit 10 tips to get your commute in gear. For bikes that are ideal for commuting, check out RideTHISbike.com.