I'm so happy to see all the family cargo bikes in my neighborhood!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Started riding my son to his DCPS everyday to/from school when I’m telecommuting.

It’s only a 6 minute ride, but it’s easily the favorite part of his day.

Love these people who wouldn't dream of driving a child anywhere without strapping them into a car seat, but they'll put a child on a bike in a crowded city and are like, "it's fine -- i'll just be careful."

The kids wear helmets and the bikes go a lot slower than cars do. Also, I would only commute with my kid on my bike in residential neighborhoods with low speed limits and good bike infrastructure. it's actually much, much safer than driving.

This just seems delusional. You are putting your child in a life threatening situation. If you get hit by a car, he or she is dead.

I mean, I walk my kid to school about six blocks. She doesn't wear a helmet or anything. I rely on the exact same safety measures as I would while riding a bike -- awareness of vehicles, caution at intersections, etc. And on our walk there is always the risk that my kid could dart out into the street at the wrong time (she knows not to do this but with kids you never know). Do you think it's "delusional" to walk with my daughter to school every day? Is the only "safe" way to transport a child inside a vehicle?

No, you don't. You and your child (presumably) walk on a sidewalk aside from when you are crossing the street. A family in a cargo bike cannot ride down the sidewalk for the whole route, or really any of it, generally. Unless there is a protected bike lane, they are in the road with cars.

A lot of people only do a bike commute with a child if they can take streets with either protected bike lanes or something like a contraflow lane which are much safer because of better visibility for all involved. I feel very comfortable biking down the one-way street near my house with my kid on my bike. It has low traffic volume and a very low speed limit, and I can see oncoming cars, including turning cars, from at least a block away. I would not ride down a busy two way street with my kid unless there was a protected bike lane.

See, it's almost like people who take their kids on bikes are very thoughtful about safety issues and not just throwing caution to the wind. You seem to think that a kid on a bike is inherently unsafe which is a bizarre take. There are probably more people driving around with improperly installed carseats right now than there are people riding around with kids on their bikes total, but I don't see you going into the car threads and yelling at people that it's unsafe to drive your kids around because of the potential for carseat malfunction.

[Anonymous]

My kids rode regular bikes to elementary school. I loved that! I wouldn't put my kid on a cargo bike for safety reasons.

[Anonymous]

My issue with these is that they need to get OFF the sidewalks. I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before, and no you aren’t more virtuous because you’re on an electric cargo bike costing $$$. You need to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk if the road is too dangerous for you to bike on.

[Anonymous]

I imagine these are regularly stolen unless kept out of sight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admire the people who do this, but personally I can't get past the safety risk (from vehicle traffic) or the inclement weather logistics. Does everyone who bike commutes in May-Sept have access to showers at work? Because I would be a disgusting mess by the time I got to work, and I don't have a place/time to shower there.

+1

[Anonymous]

Contrast the "I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before!" with statistics of cars actually mowing down pedestrians. I'd bet that each an every poster on DCUM as almost been mowed down by a car once or more in the past year, if not week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Started riding my son to his DCPS everyday to/from school when I’m telecommuting.

It’s only a 6 minute ride, but it’s easily the favorite part of his day.

Love these people who wouldn't dream of driving a child anywhere without strapping them into a car seat, but they'll put a child on a bike in a crowded city and are like, "it's fine -- i'll just be careful."

The kids wear helmets and the bikes go a lot slower than cars do. Also, I would only commute with my kid on my bike in residential neighborhoods with low speed limits and good bike infrastructure. it's actually much, much safer than driving.

This just seems delusional. You are putting your child in a life threatening situation. If you get hit by a car, he or she is dead.

I mean, I walk my kid to school about six blocks. She doesn't wear a helmet or anything. I rely on the exact same safety measures as I would while riding a bike -- awareness of vehicles, caution at intersections, etc. And on our walk there is always the risk that my kid could dart out into the street at the wrong time (she knows not to do this but with kids you never know). Do you think it's "delusional" to walk with my daughter to school every day? Is the only "safe" way to transport a child inside a vehicle?

No, you don't. You and your child (presumably) walk on a sidewalk aside from when you are crossing the street. A family in a cargo bike cannot ride down the sidewalk for the whole route, or really any of it, generally. Unless there is a protected bike lane, they are in the road with cars.

PP said: “I would only commute with my kid on my bike in residential neighborhoods with low speed limits and good bike infrastructure.” So actually it sounds like yes they are only using protected bike lanes or similar the whole route meaning it’s about the same danger as walking. Just faster and more fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Contrast the "I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before!" with statistics of cars actually mowing down pedestrians. I'd bet that each an every poster on DCUM as almost been mowed down by a car once or more in the past year, if not week.

Can confirm have had a car try to run me over in the crosswalk in the last week. Never been menaced by a cargo bike in my life (although occasionally by non-cargo bikes with no kids on board).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Started riding my son to his DCPS everyday to/from school when I’m telecommuting.

It’s only a 6 minute ride, but it’s easily the favorite part of his day.

Love these people who wouldn't dream of driving a child anywhere without strapping them into a car seat, but they'll put a child on a bike in a crowded city and are like, "it's fine -- i'll just be careful."

The kids wear helmets and the bikes go a lot slower than cars do. Also, I would only commute with my kid on my bike in residential neighborhoods with low speed limits and good bike infrastructure. it's actually much, much safer than driving.

This just seems delusional. You are putting your child in a life threatening situation. If you get hit by a car, he or she is dead.

I mean, I walk my kid to school about six blocks. She doesn't wear a helmet or anything. I rely on the exact same safety measures as I would while riding a bike -- awareness of vehicles, caution at intersections, etc. And on our walk there is always the risk that my kid could dart out into the street at the wrong time (she knows not to do this but with kids you never know). Do you think it's "delusional" to walk with my daughter to school every day? Is the only "safe" way to transport a child inside a vehicle?

No, you don't. You and your child (presumably) walk on a sidewalk aside from when you are crossing the street. A family in a cargo bike cannot ride down the sidewalk for the whole route, or really any of it, generally. Unless there is a protected bike lane, they are in the road with cars.

A lot of people only do a bike commute with a child if they can take streets with either protected bike lanes or something like a contraflow lane which are much safer because of better visibility for all involved. I feel very comfortable biking down the one-way street near my house with my kid on my bike. It has low traffic volume and a very low speed limit, and I can see oncoming cars, including turning cars, from at least a block away. I would not ride down a busy two way street with my kid unless there was a protected bike lane.

See, it's almost like people who take their kids on bikes are very thoughtful about safety issues and not just throwing caution to the wind. You seem to think that a kid on a bike is inherently unsafe which is a bizarre take. There are probably more people driving around with improperly installed carseats right now than there are people riding around with kids on their bikes total, but I don't see you going into the car threads and yelling at people that it's unsafe to drive your kids around because of the potential for carseat malfunction.

+1

OP here. The number of families that have decided that the new bike infrastructure near them is finally enough for them to bike commute with their kids is a beautiful thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree that electric motors have revolutionized access and use of bicycles.

BUT.

As a European accustomed to seeing all kinds of road-sharing in my home country, I'm just terrified for cyclists here. Car drivers do NOT know how to share the road in this country. And some cyclists are just asking to get hit. I nearly hit a cyclist with no lights, dressed all in dark colors, on Rockville Pike on a winter's night. I live off of Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, and every year there's at least one cyclist fatality near the beltway entrance and exit. Usually a teenager.

Please be careful when cycling and please stay alert for cyclists and pedestrians when driving.

+1

The bicyclists assume everyone sees them zipping out into traffic - and not everyone does.

Please, please, please pay attention when you are biking with small children.

You're speaking as if cyclists were a uniform population with a uniform attitude towards safety. Teens popping wheelies against traffic, hipsters zipping through traffic on 'fixies' (single speed bikes), parents on electric cargo bikes - they all behave differently. You don't need to beg a parent to be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Contrast the "I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before!" with statistics of cars actually mowing down pedestrians. I'd bet that each an every poster on DCUM as almost been mowed down by a car once or more in the past year, if not week.

Can confirm have had a car try to run me over in the crosswalk in the last week. Never been menaced by a cargo bike in my life (although occasionally by non-cargo bikes with no kids on board).

I’ve almost been mowed down by both as a pedestrian- so what? Cars are clearly a way greater risk to pedestrians, but that doesn’t mean electric cargo bikes are exempted from being aware of pedestrians too.

If I’m walking on a sidewalk, generally I view that as a “safe space” where I’m not worried about being run over by a motorized vehicle (car or bike).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My issue with these is that they need to get OFF the sidewalks. I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before, and no you aren’t more virtuous because you’re on an electric cargo bike costing $$$. You need to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk if the road is too dangerous for you to bike on.

See the Conn Ave thread and the "bike lobby" thread and you will see the problem. Cyclists are happy to not ride on the sidewalk, but that leave the road, which is more dangerous because of cars. Hence the need for protected bike lanes, but the entitlted drivers don't want to give up their parking or travel lanes...so??????

[Anonymous]

Same. Only one or two in our area 10 years ago, but now a bunch. Love it.

I would have done it if e-cargos were available/affordable back then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue with these is that they need to get OFF the sidewalks. I’ve almost been mowed down by electric cargo bikes before, and no you aren’t more virtuous because you’re on an electric cargo bike costing $$$. You need to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk if the road is too dangerous for you to bike on.

See the Conn Ave thread and the "bike lobby" thread and you will see the problem. Cyclists are happy to not ride on the sidewalk, but that leave the road, which is more dangerous because of cars. Hence the need for protected bike lanes, but the entitlted drivers don't want to give up their parking or travel lanes...so??????

PP here. I support protected bike lanes on Conn Ave, so you’re not talking to me!

[Anonymous]

I’m glad families are choosing to do this, but my guess is it coincides a lot with increased working from home. Everyone is my neighborhood seems to start work at 10 and can leisurely bike or walk kids to school. I have to drive to work and commute every day so biking just doesn’t make sense. But good for all of these families!