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There are problems with biking (and e-biking) up here in Wisconsin that pretty much eliminate it as a primary mode of transport. Riding a bike in the rain is d

There are problems with biking (and e-biking) up here in Wisconsin that pretty much eliminate it as a primary mode of transport. Riding a bike in the rain is dangerous, but riding in snow is downright insane. Also, things tend to be pretty spaced out around here. Several of my friends work ~40 miles from where they live--even at 20mph, two hours to get to work is simply not acceptable (not to mention e-bikes running out of charge).

ionfish 17y ago
Meanwhile, in crowded London, a 90-minute commute is far from rare...
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- khafra 17y ago
  For that kind of commute, you probably want a rapid folding bicycle like the smaller-wheeled Dahons or the Mobiky Genius to take from bus to train to work.
ken 17y ago
I've never been to Wisconsin, but I rode my bike 7 miles to work (and 7 miles back) for a couple years in upstate NY, including rain and lake-effect snow. Claims of danger and insanity are often exaggerated. With fenders, lights, and proper tires, I never had any trouble with the weather. I remember riding past rows of houses where people were digging their cars out, or having trouble getting the engine to start. Fun times.
menloparkbum 17y ago
There are problems with biking (and e-biking) up here in Wisconsin that pretty much eliminate it as a primary mode of transport. Minneapolis has the highest per-capita number of bicycle commuters in the country. Its weather is the same (or worse) than anywhere in Wisconsin and people ride all year round.
jrockway 17y ago
I'm from Chicago. When I didn't ride a bike, I used to think that Chicago had miserable weather 11 months of the year. When I started riding a bike, though, I noticed that the weather is generally great from March-November, 9 months a year. Not riding your bike 3 months out of the year is much better than avoiding it 12 months out of the year. (FWIW, December-February isn't really that bad, it's just not enjoyable. You'd be surprised how non-cold you are once you start moving.) Also, I am confused as to how riding the bike in the rain is dangerous. Some of my most enjoyable rides are on rainy days. Instead of getting wet and salty from your own sweat, you just get wet.

ionfish 17y ago

Meanwhile, in crowded London, a 90-minute commute is far from rare...

deleted 17y ago
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khafra 17y ago
For that kind of commute, you probably want a rapid folding bicycle like the smaller-wheeled Dahons or the Mobiky Genius to take from bus to train to work.

ken 17y ago

I've never been to Wisconsin, but I rode my bike 7 miles to work (and 7 miles back) for a couple years in upstate NY, including rain and lake-effect snow. Claims of danger and insanity are often exaggerated. With fenders, lights, and proper tires, I never had any trouble with the weather. I remember riding past rows of houses where people were digging their cars out, or having trouble getting the engine to start. Fun times.

menloparkbum 17y ago

There are problems with biking (and e-biking) up here in Wisconsin that pretty much eliminate it as a primary mode of transport. Minneapolis has the highest per-capita number of bicycle commuters in the country. Its weather is the same (or worse) than anywhere in Wisconsin and people ride all year round.

jrockway 17y ago

I'm from Chicago. When I didn't ride a bike, I used to think that Chicago had miserable weather 11 months of the year. When I started riding a bike, though, I noticed that the weather is generally great from March-November, 9 months a year. Not riding your bike 3 months out of the year is much better than avoiding it 12 months out of the year. (FWIW, December-February isn't really that bad, it's just not enjoyable. You'd be surprised how non-cold you are once you start moving.) Also, I am confused as to how riding the bike in the rain is dangerous. Some of my most enjoyable rides are on rainy days. Instead of getting wet and salty from your own sweat, you just get wet.