Category Archives: alternative transportation

Is America Turning into Europe Right Before Our Eyes?

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Anne | 15 comments

That headline from the Freakonomics blog caught my eye this morning. While Americans are slowly changing their evil, car–loving ways (mostly because of skyrocketing gas prices), we certainly have a long way to go before we get close to European transportation standards. Continue reading →

15 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, news

Tagged alternative transportation, America, cycling, europe, news, Shift

Val Kleitz interview

Posted on July 9, 2008 by Anne | 3 comments

Alan of ecovelo posted this wonderful Cargo Bike Pilot interview of Val Kleitz. The video, by the Cargo Bike blog, shows why Val’s a legend around here.

He’s been an inspiration and a huge support of our move toward (and efforts to blog about) family cargo-biking goodness. Since we love the Val and all of his infinite wisdom, we thought it was worth posting here as well.

The group cargo ride images make us lament our late start for the July 4th ride even more. Who would have thought they’d leave close to on time for once! For what it’s worth, the photos from our cargo ride of two+two are up.

– Anne and Tim

3 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, seattle, sustainability

Tagged bikes, cargo cycling, cargobikes, interview, seattle, Val Kleitz

Elliott Bay Water Taxi – a great day trip

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Anne | 1 comment

Looking Back at Seattle

We’re always hunting for fun car-free day trips. Since our kids aren’t riding too far on their own yet, (they ride on the Xtracycle Snapdeck) we’re limited to one-way distances under 10 miles or so.

That’s why the Elliot Bay Water Taxi, which runs from downtown Seattle to Seacrest Park, is a great day trip. The ferry leaves from Pier 55 – roughly a seven mile ride from our house. Once the ferry docks, Alki is a quick 2.5 mile spin along the waterfront to all the sand, sun, cruising, and beach volleyball you can handle.

The fam on the Water Taxi

The bike friendliness of the Water Taxi is a bonus. There’s plenty of room for bikes inside toward the bow (that’s the front for you landlubbers). Just roll your bike on the boat, pay your $3 (or $1 with a Metro transfer), bungee it to the railing and enjoy the 12 minute crossing.

We have taken our road bikes on the taxi before but we weren’t sure if the crew was going to balk at the longbikes— transit workers can be cranky about bikes (especially really big bikes) sometimes. It turns out the Argosy (the tourist boat company contracted to run the water taxi) employees were great and loading the bikes was no problem—even on a busy weekend day.

The beach, bikes, and a big boat. All easy and hassle free. Xtracycles on the Water Taxi

1 Comment

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, kids, seattle, xtracycle

Tagged alki, bikes, family, kids, seattle, water taxi

The Slow Bicycle Movement

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Anne | Leave a comment

We talked about Slow Cargo Cycling back in February. Tim and I are all about slowness.

Naturally I was thrilled that Mikael of Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic fame has started a new site called The Slow Bicycle Movement.

Go ahead, head on over to the site, leave a comment and join the slow cycling movement.

– Anne

Fourth of July Cargo Bike Ride

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Anne | 10 comments

Val sent us the info about the Fourth of July Cargo Bike Ride. Sounds like fun. Meet in Pioneer Square at the Pergola – First and Yesler @ noon. The ride will commence at 12:30. Details here.

We’ll probably wander down and ride part way. We have Fourth of July plans so we won’t be able to linger. Hope to see you there.

– Anne and Tim

10 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, extravehicular activities, seattle, xtracycle

Tagged Cargo bike ride, cargo bikes, Fourth of July, seattle

Fixing our Roads? Check out this Sightline Video

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Anne | 3 comments

This Sightline video is worth a 44 second watch. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, seattle

Tagged alternative transportation, cars, seattle, SR 520, traffic

Big Loads, the Friendly Competition

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Anne | 5 comments

Tim and I are engaging in a friendly “big load” competition. We both know Tim is bigger and stronger and can carry more but it’s still fun for me to pretend I’m in the running. (Ah it’s the little things that keep marriage interesting).

The loads are really hard to gauge since we don’t have a scale that will register that much weight. So our method for determining who is the burliest Xtracycle grocery shopper is how much we spent at Trader Joe’s. I hauled $205.68 back in January. Tim’s latest load was $209. I’m pretty sure he bought more wine and cheese and other expensive stuff than me so I know I’m winning. ; – ) Maybe we need to bring in a neutral third party to be the judge?

Happy Friday! It’s a beautiful day in Seattle – I hope it’s nice where you are.

– Anne

5 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, shopping, xtracycle

Tagged alternative transportation, BIG Loads, grocery shopping, xtracycle

Have any Car-Free Vacation Ideas?

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Anne | 3 comments

The Sightline Institute is looking for car-free vacation ideas. In celebration of their 15 year anniversary, they are giving away a car-free vacation in the Pacific Northwest and they want your ideas. Details here. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes

Tagged alternative transportation, carfree vacation, ferry, train

Getting a Ride

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Anne | 2 comments

Tim picked me up from an appointment on his Xtracycle last week. It sure was nice to be the passenger for once. We rode a little under two miles like this–not a bad way to travel.

I kept asking Tim if he wanted me to get off and walk and he repeatedly said, “No”. So I sat back, savored the view and the experience and enjoyed the ride. I have to say it was quite nice. Good thing Tim is a safe rider, you really have to trust your captain when you’re the passenger.

– Anne

2 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, longbikes, xtracycle

Tagged alternative transportation, passenger, snapdeck, xtracycle

Last Day of School

Posted on June 17, 2008 by Anne | 8 comments

We met a group of kids and parents for donuts this morning for our last ride to school event of 2008. We had a pretty good turn out considering yesterday’s sun was long gone and the Seattle mist had returned. There’s nothing like sending your kid off to school with a nutritious breakfast in their belly. Continue reading →