Comments on: Bike, Transit or Car: Which Is the Fastest Commute? http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:07:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Ron http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51100 Ron Fri, 30 May 2008 06:41:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51100 The Neistat brothers made a film (yogurt vs gasoline) where they wanted to see what would win in a race (in Manhatten I think), a bicycle or motorcycle. The bicycle was an old 5-speed. Guess who won? http://www.neistat.com/movies/yogurtvsgasoline/index.htm The Neistat brothers made a film (yogurt vs gasoline) where they wanted to see what would win in a race (in Manhatten I think), a bicycle or motorcycle. The bicycle was an old 5-speed. Guess who won?

http://www.neistat.com/movies/yogurtvsgasoline/index.htm

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51075 Andy B from Jersey Thu, 29 May 2008 21:29:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51075 Hey I'm not bratty! I'm just trying to be a critical "devil's advocate." I think the point this event is trying to prove is lost on most average people. Simply putting a very fit rider on a fast bike and then dressing her in regular cloths doesn't work. Most people see right through it or simple just don't believe the results would be true for them. Next time try doing the same event but require that the participants buy a bagel and a cup of coffee. You could give the driver a 10 minute head start and he still would be beat by everyone else. THAT would prove something! BTW I love to commute by bike despite the homicidal drivers around my parts of Jersey and do so in all weather. I can't wait to get out of here right now to enjoy the ride home. Hey I'm not bratty! I'm just trying to be a critical "devil's advocate."

I think the point this event is trying to prove is lost on most average people. Simply putting a very fit rider on a fast bike and then dressing her in regular cloths doesn't work. Most people see right through it or simple just don't believe the results would be true for them.

Next time try doing the same event but require that the participants buy a bagel and a cup of coffee. You could give the driver a 10 minute head start and he still would be beat by everyone else. THAT would prove something!

BTW I love to commute by bike despite the homicidal drivers around my parts of Jersey and do so in all weather. I can't wait to get out of here right now to enjoy the ride home.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51071 Urbanis Thu, 29 May 2008 20:48:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51071 Granted, I'm not the fastest cyclist in the world, but going from Inwood to Soho (about 12.5 miles by bike), it's definitely faster for me to take the subway (although I love the riverfront ride and choose to do it 2-3 times per week). Granted, I'm not the fastest cyclist in the world, but going from Inwood to Soho (about 12.5 miles by bike), it's definitely faster for me to take the subway (although I love the riverfront ride and choose to do it 2-3 times per week).

]]> By: moocow http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51064 moocow Thu, 29 May 2008 20:00:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51064 There is an even greater point here than the speed of bike commuting. I think maybe even the bratty guy from New Jersey gets it; it is always more fun, more freeing to ride. To me, riding in the worst sleet and freezing rain is better than sitting in an idling car. Crap weather makes riding on a day like today even more enjoyable. And in NYC, if you really can't handle a day's horrible weather, which sometimes is understandable, there is always a train or a bus to back you up. Maybe we should ask the "racers" who had the most relaxing, most healthy, least frustrating commute? There is an even greater point here than the speed of bike commuting. I think maybe even the bratty guy from New Jersey gets it; it is always more fun, more freeing to ride. To me, riding in the worst sleet and freezing rain is better than sitting in an idling car. Crap weather makes riding on a day like today even more enjoyable. And in NYC, if you really can't handle a day's horrible weather, which sometimes is understandable, there is always a train or a bus to back you up. Maybe we should ask the "racers" who had the most relaxing, most healthy, least frustrating commute?

]]> By: StreetsPariah http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51052 StreetsPariah Thu, 29 May 2008 18:18:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51052 I'm a bit skeptical about the choice of end points for this race. It seems like someone out there picked a path with a bicycle most likely to win. That's fine, I guess, but I'd like to see other routes tested as well, with possibly more balanced results. (Samples: Park Slope to Williamsburg, Fort Greene to LaGuardia, [anywhere] to Harlem.) I don't doubt that in some cases it is faster to bike, but that certainly isn't always the case. I'm a bit skeptical about the choice of end points for this race. It seems like someone out there picked a path with a bicycle most likely to win. That's fine, I guess, but I'd like to see other routes tested as well, with possibly more balanced results. (Samples: Park Slope to Williamsburg, Fort Greene to LaGuardia, [anywhere] to Harlem.) I don't doubt that in some cases it is faster to bike, but that certainly isn't always the case.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51050 Andy B from Jersey Thu, 29 May 2008 18:03:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51050 Trust me I meant "bike geek" in the most loving terms but I still feel my point is valid even if the above photo shows last years winner. Also I've been a daily bike commuter for about 15 years now and use my bike (and transit) for a majority of my other travels. In the past 3 years I've ditched the fast bikes for my commute and now use a 3-speed, cruise at a relaxed speed and wear regular cloths. When you factor in packing my office cloths in a bag and then getting changed at work, riding my 3-speed was almost 15 minutes faster then the fast bikes! Trust me I meant "bike geek" in the most loving terms but I still feel my point is valid even if the above photo shows last years winner.

Also I've been a daily bike commuter for about 15 years now and use my bike (and transit) for a majority of my other travels.

In the past 3 years I've ditched the fast bikes for my commute and now use a 3-speed, cruise at a relaxed speed and wear regular cloths. When you factor in packing my office cloths in a bag and then getting changed at work, riding my 3-speed was almost 15 minutes faster then the fast bikes!

]]> By: iefixie http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51044 iefixie Thu, 29 May 2008 16:28:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51044 A similar race was conducted in London by the BBC show Top Gear. This was a four-way race including a car, boat, bicycle, and public transit (bus and tube). The race was across central London from Kew Garden to City Airport. They arrived as follows: 1) bicycle 2) boat 3) transit 4) car Story: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bicycle-wins-top-gear-race-13142 A similar race was conducted in London by the BBC show Top Gear. This was a four-way race including a car, boat, bicycle, and public transit (bus and tube). The race was across central London from Kew Garden to City Airport. They arrived as follows:

1) bicycle
2) boat
3) transit
4) car

Story: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bicycle-wins-top-gear-race-13142

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51043 Larry Littlefield Thu, 29 May 2008 16:25:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51043 (No doubt about it, cycling is the fastest way to get around.) I think it depends on the distance. Obviously in a cross country race, the car will finish first. Both transit and driving face fixed time losses. For transit, time is lost in the walk to and wait for the train or bus, the walk and wait for transfers. For the car, there is getting in and out and finding a parking space. The shorter the ride, the more those fixed time losses matter, and the more likely the bike is to win even with a slow rider. For a very short trip (say a block), in fact, the need to lock and unlock the bike makes walking faster. (No doubt about it, cycling is the fastest way to get around.)

I think it depends on the distance. Obviously in a cross country race, the car will finish first.

Both transit and driving face fixed time losses. For transit, time is lost in the walk to and wait for the train or bus, the walk and wait for transfers. For the car, there is getting in and out and finding a parking space.

The shorter the ride, the more those fixed time losses matter, and the more likely the bike is to win even with a slow rider.

For a very short trip (say a block), in fact, the need to lock and unlock the bike makes walking faster.

]]> By: Jason A http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51036 Jason A Thu, 29 May 2008 15:34:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51036 When I first noticed this race a few years back, I was skeptical. While I've always loved TA, I was always suspicious that they would somehow rig this in favor of the bicycle. Now that I've been riding in the city for a year or so, it's obvious the results are legit. No doubt about it, cycling is the fastest way to get around. Case in point: last Friday I beat a car of friends from the East Village into Park Slope by a good 5 minutes. I definitely hustled, but I ride upright and I'm certainly no Lance (or Jamie for that matter!)... It was also really late (advantage: cars) - no bridge traffic around Canal, and Flatbush was definitely passable... Go bikes! When I first noticed this race a few years back, I was skeptical. While I've always loved TA, I was always suspicious that they would somehow rig this in favor of the bicycle. Now that I've been riding in the city for a year or so, it's obvious the results are legit. No doubt about it, cycling is the fastest way to get around.

Case in point: last Friday I beat a car of friends from the East Village into Park Slope by a good 5 minutes. I definitely hustled, but I ride upright and I'm certainly no Lance (or Jamie for that matter!)... It was also really late (advantage: cars) - no bridge traffic around Canal, and Flatbush was definitely passable...

Go bikes!

]]> By: Clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51023 Clarence Thu, 29 May 2008 14:08:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51023 It was a fast ride for the cyclist (Jamie). In fact, she got there so fast none of the network camera crews (of course except Streetfilms!) was ready to get her finish, and so she had to go back around the corner and finish so they could get their finishing shot! Emmanuell finished second in his car, beating April on transit. I think this may be the first time a car has finished second. He was trying really hard to win!! Elizabeth will probably be cutting footage all night to bring you what may end up being one of our finest streetfilms. It was a fast ride for the cyclist (Jamie). In fact, she got there so fast none of the network camera crews (of course except Streetfilms!) was ready to get her finish, and so she had to go back around the corner and finish so they could get their finishing shot!

Emmanuell finished second in his car, beating April on transit. I think this may be the first time a car has finished second. He was trying really hard to win!!

Elizabeth will probably be cutting footage all night to bring you what may end up being one of our finest streetfilms.

]]> By: Johnny P http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51022 Johnny P Thu, 29 May 2008 13:52:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51022 Saw footage of Jamie finishing this morning. Did I see clearly? She was apparently not wearing a helmet. If so, that's not a very good message. Saw footage of Jamie finishing this morning. Did I see clearly? She was apparently not wearing a helmet. If so, that's not a very good message.

]]> By: Vroomfondel http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51020 Vroomfondel Thu, 29 May 2008 13:24:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51020 Larry, the driver could listen to NPR, I presume. I actually seem to recall that a lot of car commuters like sitting in traffic jams because it gives them a moment of solitude away from annoying bosses and screaming children. It's sad on many levels... Larry, the driver could listen to NPR, I presume. I actually seem to recall that a lot of car commuters like sitting in traffic jams because it gives them a moment of solitude away from annoying bosses and screaming children. It's sad on many levels...

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51018 Larry Littlefield Thu, 29 May 2008 13:13:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51018 (16 minutes! Jamie, you make us all proud. Take that, cars!) If that's was the total time I got to ride each day, I'd be disappointed! The bike rider got to be outside and get exercise. The subway rider could read. The driver? (16 minutes! Jamie, you make us all proud. Take that, cars!)

If that's was the total time I got to ride each day, I'd be disappointed!

The bike rider got to be outside and get exercise.

The subway rider could read.

The driver?

]]> By: rachael http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51016 rachael Thu, 29 May 2008 13:08:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51016 16 minutes! Jamie, you make us all proud. Take that, cars! 16 minutes! Jamie, you make us all proud. Take that, cars!

]]> By: agree with andy b http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51014 agree with andy b Thu, 29 May 2008 12:48:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51014 The cyclists usually wins. It is a tired and old pr stunt and garners little effective news ink. Yawn. The cyclists usually wins. It is a tired and old pr stunt and garners little effective news ink. Yawn.

]]> By: Chris H http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51006 Chris H Thu, 29 May 2008 04:46:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51006 Where in Fort Greene is the starting line? Where in Fort Greene is the starting line?

]]> By: Haylen Gambleton http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51005 Haylen Gambleton Thu, 29 May 2008 03:53:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51005 I'm gonna show up on an upright Dutch town bike and beat Jamie to Union Sq. Just you watch. I'm gonna show up on an upright Dutch town bike and beat Jamie to Union Sq. Just you watch.

]]> By: jayce http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51003 jayce Thu, 29 May 2008 03:07:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51003 The fact is that their audience is the person who spends 1/4 of their life sitting alone in a car (the majority). If any of this cuts through, success. The fact is that their audience is the person who spends 1/4 of their life sitting alone in a car (the majority). If any of this cuts through, success.

]]> By: ln http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51001 ln Thu, 29 May 2008 02:49:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51001 Jamie aint no geek. She is really a commuter, I pass her most days on our opposite commutes. And until star trek style beaming is offered by the MTA, we are both on the fastest mode of transport in NYC everyday and she's gonna prove it tomorrow. Jamie aint no geek. She is really a commuter, I pass her most days on our opposite commutes. And until star trek style beaming is offered by the MTA, we are both on the fastest mode of transport in NYC everyday and she's gonna prove it tomorrow.

]]> By: Clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/comment-page-1/#comment-51000 Clarence Thu, 29 May 2008 02:39:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/28/bike-transit-or-car-which-is-the-fastest-commute/#comment-51000 Andy, The woman in the photo isn't the one riding the Commuter Challenge tomorrow.... And I think you are completely missing the point. Plus, it is one of the biggest news coverage days for T.A. every year which brings home a very positive point regarding bicycling as an alternative. I even saw coverage of this in my hometown newspaper last year, a land where the car dominates. I was surprised! And a friend in S.F. saw coverage as well on the same day. Coast to coast. Andy,

The woman in the photo isn't the one riding the Commuter Challenge tomorrow....

And I think you are completely missing the point. Plus, it is one of the biggest news coverage days for T.A. every year which brings home a very positive point regarding bicycling as an alternative.

I even saw coverage of this in my hometown newspaper last year, a land where the car dominates. I was surprised! And a friend in S.F. saw coverage as well on the same day. Coast to coast.

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