Bike Commuting in the US; Using Boston's Hubway Bike Sharing Program

Hubway Bike Station at Harvard Kennedy School

I went to Boston, Massachusetts, to attend a short course last July 2015, and I got a chance to try their bike sharing program. They call theirs Hubway and it works very similar to other bike sharing systems. You can be an annual member or a pay-as-you-go customer. Since I was in Boston for less than a month, I chose to be the latter.

Photo grabbed from Boston Herald.

For pay-as-you-go (or short-term access), Hubway offers two options--1-day pass or 3-day pass. Here are the steps to rent a Hubway bike:

  1. Insert your credit card at the kiosk of the bike station.

  2. Choose between the 1-day pass or the 3-day pass on the touch screen.

  3. Then choose if you will rent 1 bike or 2 bikes.

  4. Enter an area code and telephone number (just encode the local area code 

      and your hotel's telephone number, you'll be alright)

  5. The kiosk will print your 5-digit passcode.

  6. Go to any terminal with a bike, and key in the passcode within 5 minutes.

  7. The bike will unlock and you are ready to go.

From Hubway website

I found the pricing reasonable. It costs $6 for the 1-day pass, while it's $12 for the 3-day pass. And as long as each trip is less than 30 minutes, they you can ride as much as you can--meaning, you can take multiple trips at no extra cost! (See banner above)

Hubway Bike Station at Soldiers Field Park

I used the Hubway bikes to commute between Soldiers Field Park (where my accommodation was) and Harvard Kennedy School (where I had my classes). The bikes were sturdy; the seats were adjustable; the 3-gears were adequate for the city; and the front rack accommodates most backpacks. I found the system appealing and wished we had the same back home. 

However, from my experience, I found out that bike sharing programs also have their share of problems and challenges. First, on software issues. The Hubway touch screens sometimes did not work, which meant I couldn't rent a bike. On those occasions, I had to run to school. Second, on bike availability. There were times when a bike station didn't have a single bike available--so I couldn't rent, and there were times when a bike station was full and didn't have space for parking--which meant I had to go to another location to park a bike. 

I didn't use Hubway bikes just for commutes between school and home. I also rode the bikes to go to the mall and tour the city. Cambridge and Boston roads generally have marked bike lanes, which most vehicles respect. And the Metro Boston area has quite a good number and equal distribution of bike stations. Overall, I had a positive experience of the Boston Hubway Bike Sharing System.

Video: Vincita B-132B Brompton Transport Bag

Here in South East Asia, we're lucky to have Vincita in Thailand to produce an affordable alternative to Brompton's more expensive B-bag Soft Travel Case. Check out my product review of the B-132B Transport Bag from last year. 

Here is Vincita's new video featuring their soft travel case for the Brompton. Visit the company's website at www.vincita.co.th for international orders.

Video: NYC's CitiBike

Sharing this bike video about New York City's CitiBike bike-sharing system.

No Bike Lanes in Auckland CBD, Only Bike Boxes

It's one thing that Auckland is hilly, it's another thing that the city doesn't have bike lanes on major roads. What they do have are bike boxes on intersections. These are spaces painted green placed in front of cars, where cyclists can wait while the traffic signal is on stop. I guess it's the least thing the city can do--making sure cyclists have an allocated space at intersections, and have a jump start when the light turns green.

But cycling is still a challenge here in Auckland. Since there are no bike lanes, I share the outermost lane with the buses. And buses here run fast and stick very close to the curb. Hindi lang nakakatakot para sa siklista, pati na rin sa naglalakad. There have been quite a few times that I almost got sideswiped by a bus while walking on the sidewalk. That's how close they drive!

I guess sanayan lang, as I still see many cyclists around the CBD. But I'm not cycling anytime soon. It's winter and it's freezing cold. I'll probably wait 'til spring.

In the meantime, I hope the MMDA back home can do something similar at our intersections and paint bike boxes for cyclists.

CBD to Newmarket via Parnell

After my class in the afternoon, I decided to ride my Brompton from the CBD up to Newmarket to visit a shop. I chose the Parnell route. It was an uphill climb from the get-go, but I persevered. Reached Newmarket after 2.5 kms.

From Newmarket I passed by Auckland Domain and stopped at the Auckland War Museum. Sayang, maganda sana yung view, pero maulap nung time na yun.

After the museum, I biked back down to Parnell and stopped at La Porchetto for dinner.

Had pasta. Yum.

Then I went home. It was all downhill so I got back pretty fast. But I don't think I'll be going back to Newmarket via my bike anytime soon. It's just too steep. I'll probably stick to visiting Mission Bay.

Wherever you are, happy cycling!

The NEW and IMPROVED B-132 Bag

The nice folks over at Vincita recently sent me a newer and improved B-132 Transport Bag for my Brompton (Officially, its called "B-132B"). It is basically a smaller version of the original. 

Height shorter by 2 inches (5cm)

If you recall, back in September 2011, I wrote a review on the B-132. I said it was a bit roomy, such that the bike is not secured in place and might wobble during transit. Also, the old bag was also big. At 24 x 24 x 14, it is a tad bulky to pull around. I suggested then for Vincita to cut an inch or so to provide a better fit.


Length is shorter by 2 inces (5cm)

Well, whadduyuh-know, Mr. Yingsak and his team listened to us and came out with the B-132B early this year. At 22 x 22 x 12, it offers a snugger fit of the Brompton folding bike. It is now perfect. Thanks, Vincita!

Width shortened by 2 inches (5cm)

Notice the snugger, tighter fit.

Aside from that, Vincita also improved the zipper of the bag by placing a cover to protect it.

The B-132B is noticeably smaller than the B-132 that you can actually put the former inside the latter and still close the zipper.


The B-132B inside the B-132, like a joey in a mommy kangaroo's pouch.

The 2 bags side by side--the B-132B on the left, the B-132 on the right.

Aside from the two improvements, everything else is the same. Same foam padding; same water-resistent nylon cover; same roller wheels; and same straps.

I am extremely happy with this new version. Thank you again Mr. Yingsak and Vincita for listening to your customers. : )

Infographic: Amsterdam on yer bike

Browse more infographics.

I'd love to bike in Amsterdam if given the opportunity. : ) 

InStep Rocket Bike Trailer

My 2 year old is about to "graduate" from her child bike seats so I got her this Rocket Bike Trailer from InStep (a trade name of Pacific Cycles). I bought it used from a friend of mine last weekend for just PhP 2,200.00 (US$50.00). Not a bad deal, eh? 

They go for around PhP 3,500.00 (US$80.00) pre-owned over at HMR in Pioneer St., Mandaluyong. A brand new one costs more than US$200.00 on Amazon. So I got mine for 1/4 of its actual price.

The frame of the trailer is made of aluminum, so it's pretty light (less than 30 lbs.). The wheels are alloy, not plastic, which is good because this means it'll last longer. The whole contraption is quick to fold and disassemble. No need for tools. I can easily store it when not in use. 


A feature I like is that the trailer can be converted into a jogging stroller! You just unhook the tow bar from the coupler, unscrew the front wheel and attach the metal handlebars at the back. Voila! My wife and I can take Bea around even without the bike!

The InStep Rocket attaches to the bike via a coupler. The picture above shows how I attached it to my Brompton. Normally, that round thing with the hole should be at the bottom, but then that would substantially lower the trailer. So I repositioned the coupler horizontally to raise it and level the trailer.

My wife's only problem with the Rocket isn't really InStep's fault but is an issue for all bike trailers (whether Burley, Schwinn or what have you). She doesn't like the idea that debris (i.e. water, mud, pebbles, small trash etc.) flung by the rear wheel as it spins may ricochet to my daughter's face. Sure, there's a mesh screen, but it barely protects her from dust particles, what more larger objects. I just have to trust the Brompton's fenders.

And another thing, the side windows of the canopy are made of clear plastic. I would've preferred if they were mesh screens like the front and back, so it'll be more ventilated inside. But, oh well, beggars can't be choosy! It just cost me 2,000 pesos.

Here, my daughter and her stuffed horse fit comfortably in the trailer designed for two.

Bea and I tried the InStep Rocket last Sunday. We went around a couple of blocks. From what I saw, she looked happy and seemed to enjoy being 'rickshawed' by daddy. As for me, I had no problems pulling the trailer with the Brompton. There was drag but it was unnoticeable. So, I'm happy with the product just as she is.

Now, all that's left for me to do is buy a safety flag kit that I'll attach to the trailer to make it more visible to others, and then its off to join the Tour of the Fireflies!

Special thanks to Bobby Leyeza for selling this bike trailer to me at a really good price!

LifeSaver Card of LifeCycle

It would be nice if my local bike group or favorite bike shop here in Manila would come out with something like this from LifeCycle. It's a LifeSaver Card, which is an "In Case of Emergency" card that can inform paramedics or responding police officers about the cyclist's particulars like blood type, allergies and person to contact. Other people, have bracelets made, but those can be very expensive. A simple and cheap plastic card like this, which you could easily tuck in your pocket, would suffice.

Video: NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide

The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) came out with an Urban Bikeway Design Guide which serves as a guidebook for all local government units interested in putting up bikeway infrastructure in their areas. Ang galing! I hope the MMDA can download this and study it for implementation here in Metro Manila. We need safe bikeways now!

NACTO's "Cities for Cycling" Roadshow Rocks Chicago from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

Video: The Green Lane Project

I wish we can invite Martha and the rest of The Green Lane Project people to come here and help us out map our bike lane infrastructure across Metro Manila.

Green Lane Project from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

Video: On Street Bike Parking

I look forward to seeing on-street bike parking here in Metro Manila. Realistically, I envision it in Fort Bonifacio and Makati.

Making Streets Safer With On-Street Bike Parking from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

All a street block needs is one (1) car parking slot. The space can accommodate as much as 15 bikes!

Video: Cycling in the Netherlands

This is a best practice that the Philippine Government and Civil Society should aspire for. Forget that cycling reduces a country's dependence on oil imports. Forget that cycling improves a nation's health. Having cycling as a way of life, integrating it in our day to day affairs, is just plain common sense.

Watching this video just makes me want to go to the Netherlands right now and explore the country on my bike.

When will we have the political will like the Dutch to implement this here?

Review: Vincita B-132 Transport Bag

I will be flying to Vietnam next month and I plan on bringing my Brompton with me. Since it'll be an international flight and, you know, going to a foreign country, I needed a real transport bag for my bike. I can't use the usual techniques for when I travel domestic flights because the airplane ride to Vietnam will be bumpier and I heard baggage handling in Ho Chi Minh City's international airport is brutal.

Brompton has the B Bag but it is very expensive at US$ 215.00 or PhP 9,100.00! That's too much.

And then I found out about this Thai company, VINCITA, that's into making all kinds of bags for bikes. They manufacture handlebar bags, stash packs, panniers, rack bags, and transport bags.

Well, waddahyuhknow! They make a transport bag especially designed for the Brompton! Now, we're talking!

Its called the B-132 Transport Bag for Folding Bike with Wheels. And it priced at just about PhP 2,400.00 (ThB 1,700.00)!

Notice the roller wheels at the bottom?

That silverish lining inside looks like a sako bag up close.

Because it was way cheaper than the Brompton B Bag, I ordered one from Vincita. My package arrived from Bangkok the other day and I was so excited to bring it home and open it!

I especially like it that they put a drawing of a bike on the cover, so that baggage handlers are informed of what they're dealing with.

The B-132's dimensions are 24" x 24" x 14", and weighs a light 2.8 kgs. Its outer covering is made of black water-resistant nylon, while the interior is comprised of a glossy sheet that looks like one of those big sako bags with Mickey Mouse print that you can get in Divisoria. One good thing about the B-132 is that there is foam padding underneath the lining to provide added protection.

The view inside the bag

At the bottom of the B-132 is a hard plastic board that serves as the bag's base. I think the bottom of my bare Brompton M6L will be adequately protected even without having a rear carrier/rack. I liked this feature.

Underneath the B-132 are two skateboard wheels which allow the owner to pull and roll the bag, just like the Brompton B Bag. Vincita also placed plastic runners to protect the nylon covering from hitting the floor.

Straps in the hidden compartment

There are shoulder straps attached on both sides, which can be used if the owner decides to carry the bag instead. What's nifty about this feature is that you can hide the straps if you want to, making it look clean and tidy. Another plus!

Over-all, I liked the features of Vincita's B-132 bag. I think it matches, if not surpasses, the features of the Brompton B Bag.

I tried packing my Brompton inside the B-132 bag to test it, and I had no problems fitting it in.  Perhaps that makes it my only gripe with this product: The B-132 bag is just too roomy, and as a consequence, also bulky. It doesn't "hug" the bike like I imagined it should. When I rock the bag from the outside, the bike wobbles inside giving me the feeling that it is not fully secured in place. Aside from the two straps that tighten the top and the plastic board on the bottom, there is nothing else that would keep the bike from moving during transit. I hope in the future, Vincita cuts an inch from the dimensions of the bag so that it will provide a snugger fit for the bike.

But no worries. What's important today is that the bike is completed padded and covered. I'll probably just support the bike with luggage belts when I pack it for my Vietnam trip.

The bag's sideview

The bag can be collapsed for storage, but it's still bulky

I'm still very much happy with my purchase. The B-132 is made of high-quality materials and a bargain at only PhP 2,400.00! If you have a Brompton, or any similar folding bike, and would like to travel far places with your bike, then this is the bag for you! It is a great alternative to the B Bag. I can't wait to test its durability when I fly to Ho Chi Minh City next month!

My one and half year old daughter with the Vincita B-132 Bag

I'd like to thank the folks at VINCITA (Mr. Yingsak, Gem and Surang Sinhaseni) for being friendly, helpful and accommodating to me. Two thumbs up in customer service. And Vincita has other fine products! Already, I am setting my sights at one of their handlebar bags. I just hope Mr. Sinhaseni finds someone to be their dealer here in the Philippines, so that I don't have to wait that long and spend that much money on shipping costs!

Bringing in a package from overseas via Express Mail Service (EMS)

Ilang beses na ako nabigo sa pagbili ng bike bag ng Vincita. First time, the bag was unavailable during the Thai Trade Fair held last April. Second time, I asked a law school friend, who visited Bangkok, to meet the owner or go directly to the Vincita shop. But due to language difficulties and miscommunication, hindi natuloy yung meeting. And according to her, the Vincita shop was far from her hotel. The third time naman, Doc Arman of Tiklop offered his Thai friend to buy the bags for us in Bangkok. Sadly, after 2 months of waiting, hindi rin natuloy. (No worries, Doc. Not your fault.)

This was driving me insane! I needed the travel bag for my Brompton BEFORE my trip to Vietnam next month!

So two weeks ago, I contacted Vincita and asked them to send the bike bag via courier service. Gem Sinhaseni of Vincita obliged and was very helpful. She emailed me the rates:

Federal Express ThB 5,000.00 (or PhP 7,000.00)

UPS ThB 6,000.00 (or PhP 8,400.00)

DHL ThB 9,837.00 (or PhP 13,772.00)

Grabe naman ang mahal! Eh di mas mura pang bumili na lang ako ng tiket sa CebPac at kunin ko mismo dun sa Bangkok, di ba?!

And then there's EMS (Express Mail Service), which cost just ThB 1,380 (or PhP 1,932.00).

EMS na ako.

I wired my payment to Vincita, including the price of the bike bag, the freight charge and all bank fees.

Vincita B-132 Transport Bag for Brompton: ThB 1,650.00 (or PhP 2,310.00)

EMS Transportation Charge: ThB 1,380.00 (or PhP 1,930.00)

Bank Charges: US$ 30.00 (or PhP 1,260.00)

TOTAL: PhP 5,500.00

Mura pa rin yan, considering the Brompton B Bag costs $215.00 (PhP 9,100.00) sa US.

After confirming receipt of the money, Vincita sent my bike bag via EMS. (Thanks, Gem and Surang)

I thought EMS was door-to-door. Hindi pala.

3 days after the bank transfer, I received a notice from EMS stating that my package was ready for pick-up at the EMS office in Pasay, subject to corresponding customs duties.

Uh-oh.

"Customs" and "Duties" are two words you don't want to hear in the any sentence.

Breath in. Breath out. I have to pay more. (My wife's going to kill me when she finds out)

Fine. But how much?

I checked the Bureau of Customs website to find out how to compute for the tax.

It floored me!

The rate of customs duty for bags (according to the 2010 AHTN Book) is 15%! (On the other hand, electronic products like the iPad have no tarriff. Go figure.)

Then you add VAT at 12% of the Total Landed Cost (a much bigger amount. Refer to the BoC formula).

Plus PhP 250.00 for Import Processing Fee (IPF)

And PhP 265.00 for Customs Documentary Stamp (CDS).

My computation summed up to more than one thousand five hundred pesos!

GULP!

Anyway, back to EMS.

EMS is located in the PhilPost Compound at Domestic Airport Road in Pasay City. They are not open on weekends, so I was forced to go on a business/working day. I was the first customer, arriving there before 8am. I handed the notice and my picture ID to the receptionist. She told me to wait.

Still empty at 7:50 Monday morning

After 35 minutes of waiting, they finally found my box and the customs examiner called my name. I approached him and he asked me what was inside. I answered, "Bike bags," and then he opened the box. He made sure they were what I told him they were, and that there were no contrabands. He pulled out the invoice and we walked over to his office.

In his office, the customs examiner started computing for my tax. He told me about the 15% rate of duty, the 12% VAT and the other fees. I nodded like I didn't know about it. He took out his calculator and punched away. I was tempted to ask him why computation was still done manually but I stopped myself. But it's a legitimate question, right? I'm sure there are simple computer programs (like, err, EXCEL?) out there that can make life easier for all of us. 

I was expecting to see my initial computation (OR EVEN HIGHER), but was pleasantly surprised to be imposed a lesser amount. He just billed me a little over one thousand pesos.

I found out later (after figuring out his "computation") that he didn't convert the invoice amount from Thai Baht to Philippine Peso, and he lowered the amount of customs duty. Now whether this was done by accident or mistake (which is possible) or on purpose, I don't know. I'm just glad hindi niya ako tinaga ('coz he could have).

Back to my story. So I went over to the cashier and paid the amount. She issued a receipt and I went back to the receptionist up front. She crossed-check my entry in her books, and then billed me PhP 40.00. 

Forty pesos?! Didn't I just pay one thousand at the cashier?! What's this for?! At bakit 'di na lang pinagsabay?

I later realized that the receptionist did not work for Boc, but for PhilPost. The PhP 40.00 was for PTCC (don't ask me what it stands for).

So after I paid the PhP 40.00, I got my box and left.

The Vincita box at the trunk of my car

Although I am very happy and satisfied with my purchase (which only cost a reasonable PhP 2,310.00 really), I did spend an arm and a leg to get it here. Mas mahal pa yung over-all transportation costs ko than the item itself!

Lessons of the story:

1. If you want to purchase an item abroad, fly there, buy it, and bring it home yourself.

2. And if you can't, find a friend or relative who's going there and buy the item for you.

3. If you still can't, but are willing to wait, send the item via a real door-to-door delivery service, which should take at most, siguro, one month.

4. If you can't and are in a hurry, try sending via DHL or UPS, just to avoid all the hassle of dealing with customs. (But be prepared to pay a premium)

5. Use EMS as a last resort. If you do go this route, make an initial computation of the tax, so that you know how much to bring when you go pick up your package at Pasay.

Good luck!

Bringing my Brompton in the MRT

Commuting by bike is not easy in Metro Manila.  That’s probably why so few people do it.  There are no bike lanes, whether painted, separated or segregated.  We compete for the same space on the road as cars, buses, trucks, tricycles and motorbikes.  So, the name of the game is defensive biking.  We have to be wary of motor vehicles zooming past us on both sides.  Helmets and good brakes are a must!

No bike lanes in Metro Manila.

Then there’s the problem of bike parking.  Very few malls have designated parking facilities for bikes.  And to those with bike parking, the stalls are located at an obscure place (i.e. at the back, down in the basement, etc.) when it should be in view of a lot of people to discourage stealing.  It’s scary to park your P20,000.00 commuter bike or P60,000.00 mountain bike.  One should really invest in two solid bike locks or else face the consequence of losing your bike after a date at Starbucks.  Luckily, Bromptons can be folded and brought in the mall.

We also have to deal with the smoke.  Metro Manila has one of the highest level of pollution in the world.  So, if you don’t wear a face mask, then be prepared to breath in the Manila smog.

As for multi-modal commuting, you can load your folding bike in buses and taxis, it’s no problem.  As far as I’m concerned, bus/cab drivers don’t charge extra.  However, you will have a hard time loading folding bikes in tricycles, pedicabs and jeepneys because of the small space available.

Metro Manila has 3 rail lines.  LRT 1 traverses Baclaran (Pasay) to North EDSA (Quezon City), while LRT 2 serves the Doroteo Jose (Manila) to Santolan (Marikina) route.  Both lines allow folding bikes in their trains.  MRT, which runs along EDSA, sadly does not.  My friends over at Tiklop Society of the Philippines are working, as we speak, for this rule to be overturned.

Yellow Line is LRT 1.  Purple Line is LRT 2.  Blue Line is MRT.

Speaking of the MRT, last Sunday, I had a mini-bike ride scheduled in Greenhills.  So, I biked 8 kms from my place to MRT-Magallanes Station.  Although I knew bikes were still not allowed in MRT, I tried my luck.  I folded my Brompton and covered it with the black nylon cover.  I went up the station and faced the security guard at the entrance.  He asked me what was beneath the cover.  I unzipped it and told him it was a folding bike, nonchalantly.  Well, whadduyahknow, he allowed Brommie Skywalker in!!!!

Brommie Skywalker hiding under his cloak as the MRT train passes by.

I think he didn’t mind because it was 6 in the morning, on a Sunday, and there were a few commuters.

I got off at MRT-Annapolis Station.  Biked to Greenhills Shopping Center and joined the monthly critical mass ride (CMR) of the Firefly Brigade.

From San Juan we biked 11 kilometers to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.  

Brommie Skywalker with other tiklops in front of San Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Binondo.

My Tiklop buddies and I had brunch in Tasty Dumplings.  Abel suggested pork chop rice. Not a bad deal for P99.00.

Porkchop Rice at Tasty Dumplings in Chinatown.

Tiklops inside Tasty Dumplings.

After eating, the group biked back to San Juan.  I broke away from them and biked 11.5 kms back to Makati via Roxas Blvd.