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Spring 2004 newsletter
Before we get started with the newsletter part of the newsletter, let me share some breaking NYCE news!
New York City Council Committee on Transportation to meet Tuesday March 30th at 10am at Council Chambers, City Hall, to talk about banning motorized scooters from New York City Streets, including electric scooters. This meeting is OPEN to the public and we'll be there! See you then!
The Tidalforce M-750 is at NYCEwheels!
OK, Back to the newsletter part of this newsletter. In this month's edition:
1. What's in a name? The 'E' in NYCEwheels
2. Spring time in NYCE-land
3. The Brompton Folding Bicycle
4. Eye on E-Commuting - Cross-town traffic, New York City Electric Style
What's in a name? The 'E' in NYCEwheels
The NYCE (pronounced "nice") part of NYCEwheels, (aside from the gang in the shop) is an acronym and we always said it stood for Electric, as in New York City Electric wheels. But with the arrival of spring, 2004, has also come the arrival of various sorts of people-powered wheels. Not just the standard bicycles available anyplace, though, our people-powered wheels are different, interesting, varied and compromise what could actually be called an eclectic mix. So, now, this very spring, we introduce a new spin on the NYCE in NYCEwheels: New York City Eclectic wheels! Our eclectic mix includes the very best in folding bicycles, the Brompton line from the UK, as well as the widest array of adult kick scooters and kick bikes available. Oh, and don't miss our line of recumbent bicycles either! Whether you are interested in getting around town on something super portable or getting the best work-out available anywhere, our eclectic line of people-powered wheels has the right ride for you. Check out People powered to see them all.
Spring time in NYCE-land
The calendar says spring officially arrived last weekend, and even though Mother Nature brought us Northeasterners more snow to celebrate the change in seasons, I could tell it was a different, good, snow. It was Spring Snow, accompanied by chirping birds and rays of sunlight. Sure, the temperatures have been fluctuating around the freezing point for the past few weeks, but not in a dreary, winter way. Oh no, it's a good, positive, Spring Freezing, with daffodils and tulips poking through the slightly defrosted soil in our city's tree boxes . . . Ok, so I'm an optimist. The glass is half full, etc. Even so, it is time to tune up your e-rides (be they electric or eclectic) and get out there. Remember to check tire pressure, fully charge your batteries, wipe off all the dust so your ride is nice and shiny and be careful out there! Most importantly, enjoy the ride.
Brompton Folding Bicycle
It's a new season and we have a new people-powered product that we're just mad about. We're talking about the Brompton line of folding bicycles. These British built folders are considered to be the very best of the best in terms of folding bicycles. Bert has been riding one to work every day and he says it's great, it's all you need.
There are three types of Brompton folding bicycles that range in standard features as well as price. All three fold down to an amazingly small size in a very simple fashion. The C-Type, Bert's ride of choice these days, as well as the simplest of the three types, weighs a mere 22 pounds. The funny thing is that since Bert started riding the nifty little British bicycle he affected an English accent and bought him self a pair of wire rim glasses that he insists on referring to as his "specs." Speaking of specs, check out these specs (as in specifications) of the Brompton T-Type, the high end of the three Bromptons:
3 or 6 speeds
26.8 pounds (T3), 27.24 pounds (T6)
Dynamo-powered lighting system
Rear luggage rack
Front and rear fenders
Folded height - 22.2"
Folded length - 21.5"
Folded width - 9.8"
Tire Diameter - 16"
For more info, check out the Brompton folding bikes or stop in the shop for a test ride. Cheerio!
Eye on E-Commuting - Cross-town traffic, New York City Electric Style
NYCE Kim: This month I'm pleased to be sitting with Joan, a New York City resident and E-scooter activist. Joan, welcome. Let's start out with a bit about your commute.
Joan: Thanks, Kim. Our trip is from West 70th Street and Columbus Avenue to East 77th Street and First Avenue. We cut through Central Park at the 72nd street Transverse. There is plenty of traffic coming east to west in the morning. Instead of using the road, which officially goes only east to west and where the traffic goes against us, we take a path (there are two paths) which is pedestrian but also used by park vehicles. We then proceed on the streets according to bicycle rules to our office on E. 77th near 1st Ave. We fold down the scooters and stow them under our desks.
We are often stopped by people who are curious about the vehicles--they usually want to know the cost, how fast, and how often and how long to charge. It's a friendly thing. On the way back the park is usually closed and we have the road to ourselves. But often the cops lay in wait; more on that later.
NYCE Kim: You ride with your husband don't you? Do you prefer riding as a team or riding alone? What are the pros and cons of both?
Joan: I go twice sometimes three times a week almost always with my husband. He goes five days. Pros? Company only. Sometimes if my husband's belt is busted as it is usually after less than 3 months of driving I can tug him over to the east side with a rope. It's fun but a little precarious. But it's a little adventure.
NYCE Kim: Wow - you actually tow him along? That's possible because you and your husband ride the HCF 707. It s a powerful machine.
Joan: It's the only scooter we've had. I had my shaft shortened initially -
NYCE Kim (interrupting): Ouch - that sounds painful.
Joan: - so that I could plant my feet firmly on the ground. I am only 5feet tall. That makes such a difference.
NYCE Kim - Oh, you mean the seat post! Of course. Once we fitted a scooter for a little person and had to shorten his shaft quite a bit. His name was Little Jimmy and he wore a sequined cap. We miss him. We're always doing special stuff like that at the shop. Bert's always like, "no more special deals" - But the guy is pudding and anytime someone needs something he is the first to suggest doing something special.
Joan: Er, right. Well, we were talking about my scooter . . .
NYCE Kim: Oh, yes. Let's see, we met last year during the great scooter crack down of '03. How did that police crack down affect your commute? I know you still ride now, so it didn't stop your use of the scooter, but would you say it reduced your scooter commuting?
Joan: We only ever use the scooters for traveling to and from work. For a while we took the 79th/81st Street transverse but only on the way back--The cops are too busy in the morning to bother with us. It wasn't pleasant. We tried to stay on the narrow sidewalk because there really is no shoulder there. It was bumpy and not well lighted but we did okay. Not so pleasant or as quick as the other way. The cops only bother us at night and on the 72nd street transverse. We were bothered only once during the winter and we were surprised at that. So the crackdown is not officially over. The cops see that we are the age of their parents and like to give us a break. They told us if our feet are on the ground and if we look like we are using human power, not electrical, they can't or won't stop us. So that is what we do now. It's ridiculous, but it works.
NYCE Kim: How about this year? Do you think we are going to see another police crackdown? Or would you say the police department's attitude towards scooter use hasn't changed too much since last summer when the media paid so much attention to the issue?
Joan: First I want to alert you to an article I found in Yesterday's Daily News, page 22 re Segways and motorized scooters where they refer to a City Council Transportation Committee hearing at the end of the month (10am, March 30th, Council Chambers, City Hall) on legislation to prohibit motorized scooters on city streets, including the Segway. We need to get to that meeting I think. Hopefully, the kids on gas scooters have been discouraged and the cops will look the other way.
NYCE Kim: Yeah, I'm pretty sure there will be a load of Segway Supporters there as well. Remember, we started a coalition last year, New Yorkers for PEVs. My participation in that slipped a bit over the winter but we are planning to make a show at City Hall on Tuesday. Hmm. Well, enough politics, riding a scooter in NY can be an adventure all unto itself due to traffic, pedestrians, other two-wheelers – do you have any thrilling or harrowing tales to tell of a particular scooter riding incident?
Joan: We ride very, very defensively watching the ground for potholes, we watch our rights for cars and cabs pulling out of spaces and opening doors and all the rest. One menace is the bikes going the wrong way. Nothing harrowing. We have learned to go in ice and snow--they do not take good care of the transverse at 72nd Street during snow and such. We HATE to wait for cabs. Once I lost control of my scooter on a patch of ice, but while the scooter fell to the ground I managed to dance my way around it and I remained upright. I was very proud of that--especially since I'm not a youngster.
NYCE Kim: What are your favorite and least favorite parts about commuting by scooter?
Joan: I love going through the park. I feel connected to nature and getting over to E77th street we feel well we didn't get hurt or arrested. "We did it again, and all is well." I love saving cab money, together about $80/week and I love saving the environment even more. You may remember I am the proud owner of a Toyotal Prius, a hybrid car that gets around 50mph. It's the Motor Trend car of the year and I take that as a very good sign that hybrid and electric alternatives are catching on. We always try to find motor scooters to rent when we are in Europe. I love that. Unfortunately they are noisy and run only on gas at this point. That is what got us into the electric scooter here. It's not as fast, of course, but it's just fine and it still gives us a thrill.
NYCE Kim: How has commuting by scooter changed your life?
Joan: Being on a scooter makes me feel hip and young. I AM hip and young. I have to say though that in the winter with wool caps under our helmets we look a bit alien and well stupid. It's a thing we like to do together as a couple and, like everything else people we do together, it brings us a little closer.
NYCE Kim: Any words of wisdom for other scooter commuters, existing or potential, out there?
Joan: "You're never too old to be young!"
NYCE Kim: Thank you, Joan! 
That was just great. Join us next time when we interview another exciting electric, or perhaps eclectic, wheeler. Ciao for now, my scooter pal! This has been NYCe Kim, reporting live (not really) from a seat by my kitchen window.
