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Cyclists, walkers and runners abound on the Burke-Gilman Trail on any Saturday morning. This is a section of the trail that cuts through the south end of the Ravenna neighborhood between the University and Bryant neighborhoods. I found it interesting to see a folding bike rider out on a weekend, as I tend to think of these as commute bikes. But I should know better, because I have friends that ride their Bromptons everywhere everyday (that's Norm folding one). Anyway, I hope this guy has the day off and is out for some fun. I believe his bike to be a Xooter Swift, which runs about $700 new.
I hope folks had a chance to sleep in or enjoy some recreation today. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year, so rest up! :-)
I hope folks had a chance to sleep in or enjoy some recreation today. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year, so rest up! :-)
10 comments:
$700!!! This is definitely not the gearless, back pedal brakes bike of my youth.
A rather pricey bike, I'd say! I still ride my 10-speed trusty Schwinn and it serves my needs nicely, but I just tool around the neighborhood with it. It's a great scene that Midwesterners are now longing for.
I do love this trail. As soon as the spring fever hits I'll probably head up north and take a ride on it.
Kate,
Just riding around your neighborhood, chances are that speed or high performance are unimportant to you but these are the qualities of a bike like the Xooter Swift (which is light and also folds for transport/storage).
Although there are fairly light folding bikes that sell new for under $300 (such as the Kent 6 speed), $700 is actually a reasonable price for a performance folding bike.
Larry
RideTHISbike
And I should point out that this is a base price. It is extra for fenders or a seat post that is more shock absorbent or different handle bars, etc. This particular bike can take stock sizes for most parts, so folks like them when they need to replace a tire or customize them. Considering $700 can be the price for just the frame of a touring bike and that this has the ride of a full frame and the added ease of a folding bike, it does seem a well priced bike for its features. There are several great folding bikes on the market, and as ever, choosing a bike is a very personal fit, like a sneaker. One size doesn't fit all. Folding bikes and electric assist bikes are big sellers on the market. . .very cheap compared to cars and good for your health--if you are a careful rider and can avoid car driver's mistakes. I saw a guy go down on the road last week and he was thankfully able to get back up and ride on, but it was a dangerous, narrow situation on a bridge. This trail and others around Seattle are wonderful, and we need more safe trails for the many cyclists out there.
Stand alone bike trails like the Burke Gilman (an urban rail to trail that serves the needs of commuters) are all too rare. If more US consumers are to adapt bicycles as a realistic transportation option, we need to develop more facilities like these that allow bicycles safe passage.
LL
RideTHISbike
I'm in full agreement. This would be a good infrastructure investment in many, many metro areas. Wish economic times were not what they are.
I've always been fascinated with these little folding bikes. Such tiny tires ... yet I see them whizz around just as efficiently as their full size cousins.
Happy Valentine's Day, Kim!
Hear, hear, for folding bikes AND better trails for regular bikes and these. Up with eco-friendly automobiles and sane drivers....
Chuck,
I got into folders after being frustrated with airline surcharges for taking my full size bike on flights (renting bikes when I traveled was no better).
The folding bike has allowed me to get around Portland, Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, London, Paris and Taipei with a level of freedom and ease I could never get from a rental car.
These days, I fly with a CarryMe folding bike as a carry on. It's about the length of an umbrella, stows in the overhead above my seat & weighs @ 18 lbs.
Larry
RideTHISbike
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