How to save by cycling and on cycling:
Commuter, converted
Rebecca Rideout of the Christian Science Monitor writes about her experiences going car-free in Commuter, converted, How bus, bike, walk became a formula for enjoyment when the car went into the shop: “My summer of alternative transportation threw me off my routine, made me interact with new people, forced me to study the shapes of the clouds in the early evening light at the bus stop. The sunlight weakened as the weeks wore on and darkness began to creep in earlier. The difference between this year and last was that I was out in the wind and sun, noticing the changes firsthand.”
Bicycling saves even non-riders money
In discussing Columbia, Missouri’s investments promoting bike/ped, and their recent designation as a bicycle-friendly city, Robert Johnson writes Bicycling saves even non-riders money: “Very real and tangible savings come with having a more bicycle-friendly city. So remember to think ‘green’ the next time you see a bicyclist in Columbia. Not just ‘green’ in the environmental sense, but think of all the money that person is saving you even if you never ride a bicycle for transportation.”
Bicycle Commuting Step-By-Step
At Queercents, Elizabeth has been working on a series of articles discussing bicycling commuting. Check out Getting Started, Planning Your Route, Online or LBS?, Getting a Bike, Outfitting Your Bike: “So you’re going to start biking to work. Good choice. Since you’ve already decided to start bike commuting, you probably know about at least some of the benefits. For those who are still thinking about biking to work here are some of the big advantages.”
How to toughen up your bike shed
Chris Wood of BikeRadar tells us How to toughen up your bike shed: “The first rule of bike storage is simple: don’t let people know you have a bike. A garage or bike shed is never going to be up there with Fort Knox in the security stakes, but it doesn’t need to be. If you live in a dodgy area, even bricks and mortar may not deter the crims. On the other side of town, a wooden shed with a few extra security measures may be enough.”
Modified Bike Trailer Doubles as DIY Mobile Camper Home
Over at the Dornob blog, the Modified Bike Trailer Doubles as DIY Mobile Camper Home post describes “The ultimate in eco-friendly mobile living, this ingenious residential bike trailer idea from Tiny House Design is perhaps not as far fetched as it might first appear.” More concept drawing than actual plans, but it’s certainly an interesting concept — essentially a (very) lightweight mobile home built on a bicycle trailer chassis.
Sharing to Save Money
In Sharing to Save Money, The Washington Post highlights “Bike Share, a new city program in which riders borrow bikes from the city for $40 a year. Sharing programs like Bike Share have recently increased in popularity as Americans adopt a kindergarten mantra: Share and share alike.” I think programs like these are going to grow in the coming years, and the more ubiquitous they become, the more useful they’ll be.
The frugal cyclist’s guide to upgrading your road bike
Here’s an interesting post from an unexpected source: Ski Bike Junkie has written The frugal cyclist’s guide to upgrading your road bike: “Since I have a limited budget for upgrades, pretty good spreadsheet skills, and a warped sense of what constitutes “entertainment” on a Sunday morning, I decided to figure out exactly how to best spend upgrade dollars on my bike.” Some really good strategies here.
DIY hanging recumbent bike repair stand
Mark Stosberg offers up a simple yet effective DIY hanging recumbent bike repair stand. Basically just a ceiling hook and a tie-down strap, it’s certainly a minimalist approach. I’ve tried this myself, and there’s rather too much swaying for my taste, but it’ll certainly work in a pinch.
7 Bike-Friendly Coastal Campgrounds
Jesse Hammond at Active.com gives us a list of 7 Bike-Friendly Coastal Campgrounds. With sites in California, Oregon, Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Virginia, and New York, there’s certainly a variety of locales to choose from. (Note: This list is hardly comprehensive, but it’s a nice eye-opener for those who don’t realize what opportunities await in unexpected places.)
DIY pick-up bike rack
Here are photos and text describing a DIY pick-up bike rack that you can build for for less than $30. It doesn’t look terribly rugged or secure, but it’s definitely inexpensive and should be adequate for short trips.
Post tags: Frugal Cyclist
