DefaultSubsAreTerrib t1_ix5t6dm wrote on November 20, 2022 at 11:36 PM

I've been continuously frustrated by public transit in Richmond since moving here.

Generally, it's easier/faster for me to ride my bike than take the buses, but my kids can't ride along as far as I can go, so with them I'm stuck on the buses or stuck in my neighborhood. It's routinely depressing.

Supergirrl21 t1_ix85lh1 wrote on November 21, 2022 at 2:16 PM

Unsolicited advice: may I suggest a cargo bike with e-assist? The long-tail models are great for hauling older kids. @ rva.cargo.bikes on instagram hosts semi-regular meetups in warmer weather where you can test ride others' setups. We ride our kid around in a dutch style box bike and it's totally changed our family's happiness level for the better.

10000Didgeridoos t1_ix88vht wrote on November 21, 2022 at 2:42 PM

You're insane if you trust drivers around here enough to haul your children on the back of a bike in traffic.

It'd be one thing if there were bike lanes separated from traffic everywhere, but there aren't. Is it really worth that gamble? I'm gonna say no. This isn't Amsterdam. Pedestrians and bike riders get hit by cars here all the time.

Supergirrl21 t1_ix8b1f2 wrote on November 21, 2022 at 2:58 PM

Nice of you to call me insane while knowing nothing about my riding experience, where and when I will and won't ride with my child, and anything else about my lifestyle, safety precautions, etc. Sounds like we have different risk tolerance levels, which is fine.

DefaultSubsAreTerrib t1_ix8f4yv wrote on November 21, 2022 at 3:28 PM

I mean, you're both right.

Also, everything would be a lot easier if I lived in the denser part of town (somewhere between MD and CH). Northside is carsy, and because of the interstate/railroads, I need to get onto busy roads like Brook, Chamberlayne, Hermitage, or AA to reach anything.

Again, all these things are well within my ability as an adult cyclist, but they are big impediments to kids.