Bicycle vs. Scooter: Usability vs. Storage

Bicycle and scooter are two simple non-motorized modes of private transportation. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and in the end it comes down to a trade-off of usability and storage.

It's not surprising that bicycle is by far the more convenient mode to get from point A to point B. It is also better equipped to handle inclines, and has the better stopping mechanism with the brakes. The biggest drawback of bicycle is storage. Point B as a destination may or may not have convenient storage of the bicycle. Despite locks, bikes secured outside are not immune to damages from other people or the weather.

Scooter is the alternative to the storage issue, given that it is relatively easy to pack it in a small unit that can be carried by one hand into facilities like restaurants, which would not be able house a bicycle. However, on average the scooter may go only half as fast as the bike. It is also slowed down much more on upward inclines, and tires the leg (the standing leg in particular, not as much for the kicking leg) much more.

What are the implications of the trade-off of usability versus storage? Bicycles have comparative advantages in longer trips, while scooters have comparative advantages in shorter trips. There is no cutoff distance, as it will vary for each person's strength, the terrain of the path, and the surroundings of potential bike storage locations, but 1-2 miles serve as a reasonable estimate. For those more physically-fit, costs of using scooter is lowered. Smoother terrain will benefit the scooter, while inclines benefit bikes. Finally, of course better storage options benefit bicycles.

Life Lessons from Longboarding

Believe it or not, there may be some lessons from longboarding that can be applied to real life. For background, longboard is just like a skateboard, except that it is bigger and goes faster. Comfortable cruising speed on a flat surface can hover from 8 to 10 mph. As the wheels are larger than those of the skateboard, the ride is much smoother. That said, the wheels are still small compared to those of devices like the bicycle, and as such, the longboard is still anything but immune to cracks on the ground.

Lesson one: focus on the present, with a sight for the future. While longboarding, it is imperative to focus on the current ground terrain and the terrain directly in front. Always be on the lookout for cracks on the ground, for they can and will trap the wheels and cause accidents if the cracks are too big for the wheels. No matter how smooth the ride it currently is, always focus on the present and the immediate future, and be ready to act on it.

Lesson two: uphold moderation. It is so much more fun to go faster on the longboard. However, with speed comes a lack of stability. Upon going down a hill, it may be tempting to accelerate down. But this is not like a bicycle where it comes with brakes. It becomes exponentially harder to stop when the speed is high, so it's always better to keep in moderation by maintaining a steady speed while going down hills. Do this by manually stepping off with one foot to decelerate before the speed is too high.