So today I borrowed a scooter

Yep I did it... once upon time I said I'd never ride one, stick to two wheeled machines of the motorbike variety, I may just eat my words.

First I must say thanks to geo for letting me borrow her scooter so I could write this post. I picked the scooter or 'tazer' off her today and set about riding it home. I was at first skeptical but I actually had a lot of fun!
I don't think I have every done anything as easy as this in my life, sit down push ignition, twist the throttle and go; 50km/h up bus lanes past traffic, to the front of every queue, best of all you are at the same(ish) speed as traffic so finding gaps is easier than a bike. The scooter was very responsive to turning and avoiding debris on the road.

Best perk of all, parking is free and the tank takes all of 3L and I'm told lasts a week or so, how good is that?! Being in a car is looking less and less appetising, it took 2 minutes to get home!

The weather today was awesome warm and most importantly dry... riding a scooter in the rain would be a very wet exercise and I'm not sure id like to try those small tyres on a slick road whilst up on a top heavy machine.

I had a look on trademe as you do and you can pick up a decent late model machine, for just over $1000 I would stick to a well known Japanese make such as suzuki or yamaha to be safe and sure of finding parts and mechanics that can service them.

A scooter under 50cc doesn't require a WOF, just a registration. Until October last year this was really cheap, but the NZTA have raised cost of two wheeled licensing fees, so a year will set you back $403.14 heres the pricing http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/registration-licensing/fees.html if your interested, but parking at $10 a day average across a year for your car is huge, so the added expense pays itself off pretty quickly.

All of this aside, if you have a commute that avoids motorways a scooter is an awesome alternative, there's space to store the helmet under the seat and the convenience of parking where ever, and NOT sitting in traffic, plus its a bit of fun in fact... I could very easily get used to it!

Time is money

Right quick change in tact for this one.

Time for the benefits on biking...scenario 5pm on a weds evening trying to get out of the CBD of Auckland, assuming you live within 10km of the city centre.
The traffic is backed up, the buses are late, and walking is not really an option unless you want to walk a good hour or two.
why not get on a bike? Straight down the shoulder to the front of the lights! you can go as fast as you want or as slow, just make sure to wave at the countless numbers of people sitting in their cars getting frustrated, wasting time and spending money..... But you say "its hard work" hmm how much do you spend on a gym membership a year so you can ride their stationary bikes??
So you can keep fit and healthy while heading home?....YUP
All its going to cost is the cost of a bike, and if you want to get well into it, maybe some shoes and clip in pedals, or if your that way inclined a nice shiny lycra out fit (your other half may appreciate it)
If you add up bus fare for a year or petrol for 6 months your paying about the same
I found a great quote the other day " A car costs you money and makes you fat...A bike saves you money and runs on fat" there you go, cost efficient and a healthy alternative just look out for buses!

Next post I'll look at different types of bikes and gear

Living dangerously

I ride my bike most days and only make use of my car one or two days a week, weather and distance dependent. Probably the only downsides of riding are influenced by these two variables. Fairly obviously riding in the rain means you WILL get wet to some degree, and YES cycling is exercise which is a definite positive until you need to find a shower or face the risk of losing friends.

These are some of the reasons I'm given for not riding but by far the most common is "riding in Auckland is dangerous?" and I'd be lying if I disagreed.  Symonds Street during rush hour isn't cycle friendly, the "Bus (and cycle lanes who knew?) are full of surprise surprise bus's, and ANYONE who has driven in Auckland let alone ridden knows that the drivers pay little regard to anything else on the road, I've seen wing mirrors taken off on the fly for goodness sake!

But it doesn't worry me to much extent, sure I get cut off at least once a day, and there have been countless close calls, but thankfully nothing that has put me off my bike. I guess I've come to expect it and after 8 years of road riding it's become the norm, I ride thinking "...that useless person is going to cut me off..." and try preempt cars movements. The old rule of treat everyone else on the road as an idiot applies well.

Should it be like that?
People claim to not be able to see cyclists and there have been numerous incidents involving such situations.
There have been various bikewise campaigns to increase the driving populations awareness of riders presence on the road, but still people are oblivious.

There has been a lot of talk involving moving people from their cars to other forms of transport with bikes being one of them, before this happens potential cyclists need to feel safe.
If the government/council/greeny's want more people out of their cars and on to their bikes, something has to give.Sure you can spend money on campaigns and little signs saying look out for cyclists, but until there are cycle lanes that are exclusively cycle lanes or the laws change I cannot see people caring any more.
In Amsterdam, the law actually puts the motorist at fault in any collision with a cyclist, hows that for motivation to look out for them? Too bad if you don't see a rider pulling out, here come insurance costs and careless driving charges.
Would this work in NZ? or even in Auckland? I can see it being contested by motorists but if people know they may face a cost with collecting a rider they will have no choice to pay attention.

There are things cyclists can do to be more noticeable, they are fairly obvious and straight forward; lights, reflectors, bright colours etc.

Just a few things that could happen more detail to follow.

Where to Begin?

In our teen years, the car gains focus, it is symbol of status, and is a huge milestone in our lives, getting your license, learning to drive, and then your first car.... No wonder the number of cars on our roads is increasing.  This happened in my family (given we were rural so did need a car to get anywhere in a decent time) four people and four cars, this is becoming a common occurrence in New Zealand and Auckland is no exception.
We know that cars are causing problems; congestion, environmental issues, resource depletion (we are running out of oil like it or not) and yet the majority of us are still using them.

People are beginning to look to other options for commuting short distances, most to save time and money, others to reduce their environmental footprint.

This blog is going to explore two wheeled transport options, the positive aspects, the problems and difficulties associated with them, the cultures they have created and are creating.
This is in no way a professional posting, merely a voice of my opinions as I relate my experiences and thoughts on 2 wheeled commuting within Auckland City... Enjoy the Ride