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Commute by bike... while on a bus

Moving those travelling without moving

Are you a Londoner who sort of likes the idea of cycling to work but for some reason doesn’t want to and would instead much prefer to be cooped up inside a bus with a load of sweating commuters? If you are, a London gym has just the thing for you – a commuter bus equipped with stationary exercise bikes.

BikeBiz reports on the Ride 2 Rebel bus – a concept devised by James Balfour and Giles Dean, the founders of the 1Rebel gym which would also serve as the destination for the bus should it attract enough interest to get off the ground (figuratively speaking – there are, at present, no plans to install wings).

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Balfour somewhat riskily employed the term ‘no-brainer’ when describing his idea.

"It is an absolute no brainer for us that we can create more efficiency in people’s routines by transforming their commute.

"For those who want the components of a class, but perhaps don’t have the time to commit during the day, this provides a great solution for them to maximise time they would otherwise be spending just travelling to work."

Some of you may be aware of another way in which a pedalling person can be conveyed from Point A to Point B, but BikeBiz quotes Eric Brodie, who has pioneered a similar idea in Boston known as Bus Bike. Brodie points out that urban cycling can be intimidating to many people.

“Some ask: Why not just grab a bike and ride to and from work? For many, that's a perfect way to commute. But for others, it's not. The unfortunate reality is that urban bicyclists have to compete with hazards associated with cars, pedestrians, beat up roads, and changing weather conditions. For some, the distance is too far, while others don't want to have to bike in both directions."

He also points out that a group cycling class differs from cycling on the road. “It's social, musical, and an excellent way to burn a lot of calories.”

Bus Bike will also cost $35 per journey if it becomes a commuter service. Ride 2 Rebel doesn’t yet mention cost on its website, although it does claim to have over 2,000 people in line for tickets.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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15 comments

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Beatnik69 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Does each bike have a bell for you to ring when you get to your stop?

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Beatnik69 | 7 years ago
1 like

Does each bike have a bell for you to ring when you get to your stop?

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Wolfshade | 7 years ago
0 likes

When I am riding home I always think, "you know what I wish my bike had the manoeuvrability of an 'bus".  If I want to cycle I shall do that, if I want to ride on the 'busses I will do that, why whould I want this?

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FluffyKittenofT... | 7 years ago
2 likes

I assume the whole concept is satirical - a wry comment on the situation we find ourselves in. Was Armando Iannucci or one of that lot involved? I'd suggest Stewart Lee but its funnier than he is.

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tritecommentbot replied to FluffyKittenofTindalos | 7 years ago
1 like

FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:

I assume the whole concept is satirical - a wry comment on the situation we find ourselves in. Was Armando Iannucci or one of that lot involved? I'd suggest Stewart Lee but its funnier than he is.

 

Yeah on second thoughts it does look like a commentary on humanity. Could actually be quite clever, maybe end up in the Tate for an exhibition.

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Twowheelsaregreat | 7 years ago
4 likes

I'm going to invent a bike that can carry a bus

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brooksby | 7 years ago
1 like

So this is a bit like people who drive to the gym to attend spinning classes? Only more so.  Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid idea.

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arfa | 7 years ago
1 like

It sometimes gets on my nerves when Colville-Andersen describes London as the village idiot of global cycling but seeing ideas like this makes me think he has a point. I can't honestly think ofanything constructive to say to anyone who thinks this is a good idea

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tritecommentbot | 7 years ago
1 like

'No brainer'

 

I do not think it means what he thinks it means.

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Al__S | 7 years ago
1 like

TfL won't give it an operating licence. The bikes won't pass seat crash regulations. It would burn horrndous amounts of fuel too power the aircon in summer. It would be really noisy.

 

It's not happening

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barbarus | 7 years ago
2 likes

Make it a hybrid with batteries charged by the exercise bikes and it almost makes sense. Almost.

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vonhelmet | 7 years ago
7 likes

Pardon my French, but that's fucking stupid.

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handlebarcam | 7 years ago
5 likes

This is actually a great idea: a full-body helmet that comes with its own engine and driver.

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Scoob_84 | 7 years ago
1 like

just checked the calendar and it says we're not in April

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1961BikiE | 7 years ago
1 like

What a load of you know what. Jeebus humanity really can pull off some crap.

Or am I missing a very late Poisson d'Avril?

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