Long gone, but now back… sort of. :)
( Answer requested by Elynn Quirk.) This works almost anywhere — not just Boston: Open Google Maps. Click the three-line Menu icon in the corner. Select Bicyling from the left-hand menu. That’s all it takes. Google will then superimpose a color-coded layer atop the normal road map showing you the area’s (1) dedicated bike lanes, (2)…
Yes, absolutely, although the usual rule is 80/20. A li-ion battery is stressed the most during the top and bottom 20% of its charging range; and the closer to 100% or 0% you get, the greater the stress. In other words, charging from 99% to 100% is way harder on a battery than charging from…
If you can remove the batteries, then an e-bike is just like any other bike, and is subject to the same rules. A battery-less, totally inert e-bike can be shipped by almost any means. Li-ion batteries, if damaged or defective, can cause a very serious, very energetic chemical fire. That’s why shipping Li-ion batteries require…
Local ordinances vary, but you usually can use common sense. If the e-bike is designed to behave like a regular, muscle-powered bike, there’s usually no problem. For example, if it’s an electric assist bike — ie one where you still pedal some or most of the time — and if the bike is ridden at…
Reader Geoff Komeya asks (via the Contact link): Hi Fred: Just wanted to ask whether you still ride motorcycles? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read and re-read your blog about your 10,000-mile ride on the ADVrider site. Such a great piece of travel writing. Thanks, Geoff Komeya Thanks for the kind words,…
Yesterday, I saw something new while riding through the newly-renovated MacDonald Park on the north bank of the Mystic River in Medford, MA. The park has been massively renovated, with extensive landscape maintenance, new paving on the old trails and walkways, new benches and performance space, and now, this this small but delightful amenity:
The Tufts boathouse at Mystic Lakes was ready for business today, but had no takers due to the still air and heavy overcast. Made for a nice photo, though. But it was a good ride at a decent pace for urban riding, despite weekend traffic and a detour caused by a water main break: Malden…
Warm and breezy, but very light traffic (for urban riding, anyway) due to the Labor Day holiday. A pleasant ride along the Mystic, Alewife, and Malden Rivers; through Malden, Medford, Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville, and Everett. Also liking my new front tire, which I replaced after a flat last week; the old, knobby tread was almost…
Reader John Negley asks: “Fred, What e-bike do you have? “I know of your love of bike riding, I’ve seen your videos. I am also like you, approaching geezer age. So I’m thinking of getting a bike too. Just curious, what type of bike to you have? I plan on riding on paved roads &…