Comments on: I want to ride my (used) bicycle (Day 183)… http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/ making one change every day to greenify my life (and hopefully not being too smug about it) Thu, 23 May 2013 17:30:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Focal http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-12739 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:43:01 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-12739 Just wanted to follow up and see if you did go and ckech with the police that the Deni is not stolen …

Last time I wanted to check mine, but it seems the police didn’t help … were you able to check?

]]> By: LG Adam http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3982 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:53:19 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3982 Just wanted to applaud you on buying a used (and hopefully legit) bike. I’ve just got back into cycling (I walk to work anyway) and really enjoy it. One thing that nobody’s mentioned about the photo is the bookcase. I wish I had space for that many books!

]]> By: patty t http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3870 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:55:56 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3870 Ah, you’ve joined the ranks of the 2 X 2-wheelers. As you may recall for the story you did about the Giro Toronto, I bought Peaches (my first bike as a downtowner) from a guy in Kensington – Mike the Bike – also for 80 bucks. I bet soon you’ll be organizing Post-themed, route-shaped-like-Canwest-HQ charity rides!

BTW check my new home, the Walrus online, for a green-themed discussion about Alan’s Weisman’s The World Without Us – http://walrusmagazine.com/articles/2007.08.27-the-world-without-canadians-discussion-contest/ – with a Canadian spin. Your Canuck readers may find it interesting.

Cheers V hope all is well

]]> By: Amy Lavender Harris http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3862 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:15:10 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3862 I have a policy of buying only used bikes, for the simple reason that one pays less for a good quality used bike than a cheapo-model new bike. I bought a used Norco Bush Pilot from Bikes on Wheels (on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market) in the spring. For me it’s the perfect bike for city commuting — solid, dependable, fast, and cost-effective.

]]> By: Hannita http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3839 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:08:45 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3839 deni is a beaut. i got my vintage raleigh off craigslist for $120. thanks to ladybird (my bike), i love road bikes. they are such smooth rides compared to clunky mountain bikes. if only my city was more bike friendly. ::sighs::

]]> By: Karine http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3836 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:41:10 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3836 The shop SOS Velo (www.sosvelo.ca) in Montreal recycles bikes. It is a social and professional reinsertion non-profit organism for young adults. They receive around 3000 bikes per year, reuse about 80% of the parts and then resell them under the label ECOVELO.

]]> By: Vanessa http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3832 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:54:53 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3832 Hey Brittany,

Yes, I definitely thought about that prior to buying Deni… but Alex seemed totally normal and had clearly done some work herself on the bike. Plus we were talking about the two shops in Toronto that are known for taking in stolen bikes and she definitely did not seem into that scene. But you’re right; maybe I’ll look around for a serial number or some sort of identification and call up the local police station to see if there’s a claim that matches it. The other thing, though, is that it’s basically not functional at all right now because of the bashed-in derailer and numerous other problems, so I highly doubt anyone was riding it before me, at least not for a while…

]]> By: E to the M http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3830 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:43:48 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3830 We have a shop here called The Old Spokes Home where they refrub old bikes for resale and also service bikes. I’m sure there are great resources like that in other areas too.

]]> By: Brittany http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3829 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:32:26 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3829 Not to be a total cycnic, but I think you missed mentioning one of the potential dangers of buying a used bike (especially when it’s from an individual on the top of a parking garage in Kensington Market who is known to others in Toronto for selling bikes ((yes, I know, she could be legit and purchasing all those bikes, fixing them up, and then turning them around for a small profit)): you might have bought a stolen bike. Torontoist.com had a good post on this subject a couple of years ago (http://torontoist.com/2005/09/suspect_everyon.php). I think their list of tips for buying a used bike is on the money:
• Make sure the seller knows a lot about the bike so ask lots of questions like when was it purchased, what model is it, what year, etc.
• Never buy bikes from random street sellers, chances are it’s a “hot” bike
• Check the serial number on the frame
• Call your local police precinct to see if they have information on how to check for a stolen bike
• Feeling daring, then ask the seller if the bike is stolen – his/her reaction will give you a good indication of whether or not the bike is stolen
• Does the seller look shady? Does he have any gold teeth, a hook for an arm, a gun shot wound, is he wearing a mask, or an orange jumpsuit with numbers on it?

I hope Deni is yours legitimately, and isn’t missing his owner!

]]> By: Rhett http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3828 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:29:51 +0000 http://greenasathistle.com/2007/08/30/i-want-to-ride-my-used-bicycle-day-183/#comment-3828 Sandy,

How did bike riding get equated with poverty?

Come visit the Greentime studio (my home) in Ft. Lauderdale and I can show you pretty easily. Essentially, it comes down to the fact that everyone drives except those without cars. The bus system is inadequate, so the stopgap vehicle of choice becomes a bike. It’s often ridden irresponsibly and without regard for traffic laws, then creating the idea that all bike riders are a nuisance.

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