BikePortland Mailbag: A strap for walk-a-biking
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on June 10th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
-Video below-
I get a lot of interesting things sent to me in the mail, so I've been thinking about doing a 'Mailbag' column for a long time. Here's the first installment.
A company from Naples, Florida emailed about a new product called "Walk A Bike: The Bicycle Wrist Steering Strap." Check out the graphic at right and then read the description below:
"This new product positions the walker a safe distance to the rear of the bicycle making it easy to walk or jog long distances with the bicycle at his/her side without tripping on the pedal. When you reach your maximum walking/jogging distance, just bicycle back. Adding bicycling to your walking fitness program provides a more diverse exercising routine."
According to a video available on their website, it also works well for toddlers and you can even negotiate winding paths with just a flick of wrist:
I'm all for making it easier for folks to exercise and the more bikes can be part of that the better... but a strap? To walk your bike?
Check out WalkaBike.com for more info.
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I'LL TAKE TEN
RecommendedI can't wait to see this come 'cross season!
RecommendedI like to cross train by disassembling the bike, carrying it on my back, rock climbing to my destination, then paragliding down before pedaling home.
RecommendedThis is some bizarre, hilarious stuff! I do love the sweet photoshop job they did on the toddler with the bike though.
It just makes riding a bike seem so old fashioned!
RecommendedBut can I use it to steer my Treadmobile?
Recommendedlove the helmet warning. next they'll come out with special shoes that you can use not only to walk with, but also to press on the pedals of a bicycle in a rhythmic circular fashion as part of your balanced fitness regimen.
RecommendedHmmm...
The drivetrain on the left side? :-)
Recommendedsolution in search of a problem...and it's not hard to copy
RecommendedWill it fit under my bed when not in use? With my ThighMaster?
RecommendedNot a terrible idea. Tired of having my shins gouged by my pedals. Just wish there were something like this that was either permanent, or quicker to set up.
RecommendedAnd if you like this wait till you try out my new and improved "Suspenders belt holder-upper
RecommendedDidn't someone already invent this thing you could hold on to that would steer your bike while walking it....I think they called it a "S..t...e..m"?....they even come in different lengths to accomodate larger or smaller hands!
Recommendedlooks like the bike is on training wheels... he took some curves at speed and the angle of the camera didn't seem to change much...
I think the video would be a lot better if the camera were on a trailer and we could see the position of the person's legs relative to the pedals... after all that's a major feature...
RecommendedTonight, a small business proprietor in Naples, having seen a dramatic spike in visits to his website, will lay awake in bed, ecstatic that now, finally now, the world is catching on to the need that he so clearly identified, and that he responded to by designing and bringing to fruition a packaged orange strap.
RecommendedUm...can't this be done without a strap? I mean, am I the only one who does this all the time? Just grab the seat and push!
RecommendedNot the bicycle strap on I was hoping for.
Recommended@Aaronf, you win one Internet sir! :)
RecommendedI already walk my bike from the rear while holding the seat, and I have never needed a strap.
RecommendedI'll wait till I see the infomercial, then I'll know it's legit. (First I'll need to get a TV though)
Is that a concern that prevents people from exercising, not being able to make it home? Interesting...
RecommendedBeware the giant toddlers of Naples, Florida!
Recommendedalso:
"making it easy to walk or jog long distances with the bicycle at his/her side without tripping on the pedal."
if you haven't figured out how to walk your bike w/o tripping on the pedal, i'm not really sure what to tell you.
Recommended#15 and 18 are right - you can do this exact same thing without any silly strap, and with no more difficulty than they illustrate in their video.
RecommendedThis appears to have some strangulation hazard.
RecommendedYes, we need a product to accomplish every minute task! but seriously, this is the kind of idea, like the Snuggie, which should encourage all of us to sell our great worldchanging ideas on Skymall and QVC. My great idea is the bicylce elevator/escalator. Oops that's already been done.
RecommendedGenius. Yet another reason why I'm always broke and riding a bike, instead of walkin' it.
RecommendedI dig the music. Can I buy that instead?
RecommendedThat video would be so much better if I were stoned right now.
RecommendedHoly cr*p, it has been a while since I actually laughed out loud at comments - thanks folks!
Recommendedwow - finally, i have no need to true my bike, because I can let the nylon strap compensate for the dish!
RecommendedLittle known fact: bikes need exercise too. They get restless and irritable if they don't get to go outside. So for the folks in south Florida who don't actually ride the things, this is a way to take them out for a walk.
RecommendedThis reminds me of couple of other inventions that boggle my mind. The fabric sling I used for the baby without the car seat was a bit less unwieldy.
http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/01/dwsuite.html
or if you like to wear it a little higher:
http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Falcon-Infant-Seat-Carrier/dp/B000EFOQMO
Goodness.
RecommendedIs there an age limit?
Recommendeddo they make one for walking my dog? she's a bit unweildy at times....
RecommendedWell, at least you know why they're walking - looking at the graphic at the top, the fixie he's pushing looks like it has a 22/14 gear ratio - meaning you have a hard time keeping up with a walker on it!
RecommendedI use Bungees. With suitably-placed Bungees, I can even keep a recumbent bike tracking well enough to transport it alongside a recumbent trike. (I've done it from a recumbent two-wheeler, but that was STUPID.) If you have a collection of different-sized bungees with coated hooks, you can walk just about anything easily.
And yes, I can walk an ordinary bike without holding the handlebars.
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