Car/Bike commute hybrid
John D. Hamalka MD is a Healthcare CIO who supports some 3000 doctors, 18000 faculty, and 3 million patients in Boston Massachusetts.
Experiencing a “there must be a better way” moment with a more than challenging commute/daily schedule, John chose the to replace his car in the city center with a folding bike in an experiment. After investigating folding bikes by Bike Friday, Brompton and Dahon , John chose the STRiDA as “the only one light enough, small enough, or quick to fold enough to just toss in and our of car/office/train in a few seconds.”
The goal here is to apply the appropriate tool for the job. In-city gridlock, caused by cars, has made them less and less useful. Bicycles are superb for inner-city trips and folders even better.
For many, an entire commute by bike may be too much; leaving the car as the best tool. If there is available rail or public transit the folding bike remains best of all,.
After many years of commuting entirely by car, I never do any more. Most days I travel by GO Train(Toronto’s public commuter rail) with a STRiDA folding bike under the seat. This a great way to go; the bike is always with me, no chance of theft, and I am never stuck in traffic or have to pay for parking. On those days when I need a car available, I drive to the Northwest corner of Toronto, park free, take the bike out of the car and ride the final 10 km (6Mi). This has worked wonderfully for me and I appreciate the longer ride.
I’m looking forward to an update on John’s experiment with this.
