Comments on: Bike: The Ultimate Escape Vehicle?

By: Claud Treasure

Claud Treasure — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:25:17 +0000

I heard Hurricane Earl won’t be that dangerous. What do you guys think?

By: Damon Deneen

Damon Deneen — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:07:54 +0000

Stellar site, would love to see a bit more content though! Then again my puppet site hasn't much either - Great post anyway, added your RSS feed! Love this theme, too!

By: 2whls3spds

2whls3spds — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:39:37 +0000

xavier,
I have been thru many storms, by the time most people choose to evacuate it is too late. Think of the lines of stalled out vehicles when Rita threatened Texas. People wait until the last moment….I don’t. I made that mistake one time and one time only. I waited until we were given mandatory evacuation orders for Hurricane Hugo, could not get out of town and DID NOT want to get stuck in traffic when the hurricane hit. Rode it out in the stair tower of the building I was working on at the time. Never again. To me the bicycle is going to be a vehicle of last resort for evacuation, it is going to be the one I am going to use after the fact, when cars are useless. The best defense is to be prepared and leave early.

Aaron

By: Xavier

Xavier — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:52:03 +0000

Here is an interesting piece, a true tale about going back into the disaster zone of Katrina by bicycle.

By: Xavier

Xavier — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:26:39 +0000

Although I do not advocate a bike as a primary evacuation vehicle, a bike is invaluable as a secondary emergency vehicle strapped to the back of your primary means of evacuation.

They are great for taking a five mile trip to a gas station, scouting ahead of traffic jams for better places to turn off (use a partner on the bike and communicate with the FM walkie talkie things), and to get around crowded campsites of evacuees.

If you use a bike in this manner, or to go back into the disaster zone, I recommend a heavy chain lock and a U-lock for when you leave it unattended. A basket is great, and I would run kevlar belted tires. Roofing nails will be more common than broken glass in the disaster zone. Strap a gallon jug of water to the back. It’s going to be hot and humid. Wear gloves and a helmet. Do not travel alone.

By: Xavier

Xavier — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:16:17 +0000

I strongly recommend Listening to Katrina as a required reading site for anyone interested in evacuating a disaster zone sucessfully. There are hundreds of lessons learned there, including one of my favorites, keeping all important insurance papers, documents, deeds, professional licenses, precriptions, and family photos copied on two encrypted flash drives. One on a lanyard around your neck, the other ready to mail to a family member out of state. there is more to evacuation than just getting out. You may have to set up your life again somewhere else. As much as I love bicycling, I consider a bike to be best used as a secondary mode of transport, one strapped to the exterior of a vehicle that offers some protection from the elements and from looters. Cars can carry more, they can be used as shelter, and if well maintained and used appropriately and ina timely manner they are vastly superior to a bicycle. Remember, you may be going 300 to 400 miles, with your family in tow, and setting up a temporary residence elsewhere. Give yourself the best chance possible.

By: Cato

Cato — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:43:47 +0000

Not only are bikes good for escaping disasters like hurricanes, but according to Max Brooks’ Zombie Survival Guide, they are also your best bet from escaping a zombie outbreak in your city.

So, we cyclists have that going for us.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:40:54 +0000

No, thank YOU, Matt — for bringing this topic up. It’s something I don’t think a lot of people have thought of, and I’m happy to see that a few of us have actually been able to use bikes to our advantage during these types of events.

I’ve been following the storm track religiously, and I’ve seen SO MUCH variation on that central line. Just hours after I posted the update in the comments above, the central line tracked west, out into the water, then now it’s back east…more or less through the center of the state. Just goes to show you that Mother Nature trumps science every time!

By: Palm Beach Bike Tours

Palm Beach Bike Tours — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:36:32 +0000

I’m slightly ashamed to admit it, but I’m glad to see the storm coming up your coast instead of mine.

My son’s fourth birthday is this coming weekend. My normally well-balanced wife was high-strung going into the final week and the potential for a hurricane undoing a couple months of ‘splash party’ planning would put her completely over the edge. This westward wobble is going to make my life bearable.

As for bikes in emergencies, I probably should have added in that entry that even if you can escape by car, you may not be able to get back by car. Not only might there be debris that would rule out a motorized vehicle or a lack of fuel, The Man may be keeping people out of the affected area. The Man may be able to keep an eye on the major roads but a bike still might get you home.

Thank you for the mention, Ghost.

—Matt

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:26:33 +0000

The last thing I bring into the office is my bike. For one, I figure it’s safer there than in my storage shed, and I know I can get home on it after the winds die down.

For you folks who don’t live in the hurricane parts of the country, that last mile before you get home to see if you still have one is a LONG drive.

The first rain bands are hitting West Palm Beach as I type. Winds are gusting to about 26 mph and visibility is limited. I’d hate to be a bike tourist who has been keeping up with weather reports.