Bicycles Commuter Bike
It’s got a retro feel, it’s not going to win any races, but it sure is eco-friendly, and a great way to commute to work. I’m Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet.
ambience: Bicycle, bell
Buehler: And so, some of the features I think a commuter bike has to have is, first, when you are riding the bike, you have a upright position so you’re not hunched over.
Urban planner Ralph Buehler takes us on a mini-tour of his commuter bike.
Buehler: The handlebars I have here are pretty wide, and if I sit on my bike, I can easily reach the ground. I don’t have to get off the seat. The bike also has fenders, which are covering the front and the back wheel so that if it’s raining or if I’m cycling through dirt, I won’t get dirty. The front wheel even has at the bottom of the fender a special flap to avoid dirt. The chain of this bicycle is covered with a chain protector so that my work pants won’t get dirty from the chain. So, that’s additional protection.
The bicycle also has a rack in the back to transport a briefcase or other items. It has a bell so I can alert others [Rings bike bell] that I’m coming. The bicycle also has reflectors one on each wheel and in the pedals there are special reflectors in the front and the back so that when car lights are shining on the bicycle, I can be seen at night. Additionally, it has lights one light in the back, which is battery-powered, and a light in the front, which which is dynamo-powered. So, while pedaling, I’m creating my own electricity for the lights. So, but just switching on the dynamo, I’m now going to turn the wheel so that you can see how the light comes on.
[Sound of wheel turning]
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