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I can't use the forum search so i'm starting my own thread. I'm living 4 miles away from campus and am trying to see if I could get away with a bike for a semester. It's 4 lane commercial roads and neighborhoods the whole way. But being in Atlanta, I'm worried about getting to class/home from class on days when it's raining or incredibly cold. Is it plausible to get away with or is that too far a distance that a car is a must.

edit: for those of you who have used bikes, how did you deal with things like rain/snow?

it's brutal in winter and especially when it rains but it's totally possible. I would recommend getting a poncho. I don't know about snow, though I would imagine that you can't really ride in heavy snow.

make sure to carry a sweater with you for nights if the temperature drops significantly b/c it's always colder when you're biking.

Also make sure you get good lighting if you plan to bike at night alongside traffic.

You won't have class when it snows. Things shut down completely in GA/SC when it snows.

That's how I got through Temple Law. It was brutal in the rain and snow, but I kept in shape. It was cheap. It was faster than having to take crappy public transportation to and from my job / judicial internship.

Dress warmly. Get a cheap pair of wool gloves, a hat, and a big ass heavy coat. Atlanta can't be nearly as cold as Philly.

oh yes, gloves are critical. And wear a helmet, don't be a hero.

AJRESQ wrote:That's how I got through Temple Law. It was brutal in the rain and snow, but I kept in shape. It was cheap. It was faster than having to take crappy public transportation to and from my job / judicial internship.

Dress warmly. Get a cheap pair of wool gloves, a hat, and a big ass heavy coat. Atlanta can't be nearly as cold as Philly.

As far as coats go, most students around here just wear one of the nice North Face jackets that block out the wind and have the removable liner. It's really all you need.

I'm pretty familiar w/ metro-ATL, and it's a really bike-unfriendly place. God speed, sir.

I'd definitely think twice about this if you can. Remember, you'll have books on your back. A flat tire mid way could prevent you from even reaching campus one day. If you do decide to bike, get some good tires with serious flat protection, lights and some decent clothes for the weather.

MrKappus wrote:I'm pretty familiar w/ metro-ATL, and it's a really bike-unfriendly place. God speed, sir.

Well, Emory isn't exactly around downtown like Ga Tech, i'll only be using the bike to get back and forth to campus, and i'm living with 3 guys with cars.

Nono, not downtown...metro-ATL. The outskirts. Biking downtown's actually pretty great, IMO. It's do-able. I'm just saying I biked around metro-ATL a lot and cars didn't respect bikers very much. Got clipped once, and beeped at a lot.

Awesome, thanks for the advice guys!

eandy wrote:

AJRESQ wrote:That's how I got through Temple Law. It was brutal in the rain and snow, but I kept in shape. It was cheap. It was faster than having to take crappy public transportation to and from my job / judicial internship.

Dress warmly. Get a cheap pair of wool gloves, a hat, and a big ass heavy coat. Atlanta can't be nearly as cold as Philly.

As far as coats go, most students around here just wear one of the nice North Face jackets that block out the wind and have the removable liner. It's really all you need.

I bought an Eagles tailgating jacket. Philadelphia is freezing during the winter.

Oh, whoever said helmet... for the LOVE OF GOD WEAR A HELMET. I was hit by a bus in law school -- twice. My wife works with brain injury patients. Helmets look a little goofy, but you will look REALLY goofy if you fall, hit your head, and get a brain injury.

Please wear a helmet.

..

4 miles is pushing it distance wise... get a scooter or motorcycle.. still very cheap/ easy to park/ and convenient.

Get a good bike messenger's bag.

Like this --ImageRemoved--

I just wore a cheap regular backpack.

Oh, here is some good advice. TURN OFF YOUR LAPTOP. I used to just close my laptop and shove it in my backpack and bike home regardless of weather. It overheated and died. That sucked.

Get a foam case or whatever for your laptop and turn it off when not in use. Don't leave it in your backpack turned on but idle like I did. My first laptop only lasted a year.

Nom Sawyer wrote:4 miles is pushing it distance wise... get a scooter or motorcycle.. still very cheap/ easy to park/ and convenient.

Meh, this is only for one semester, I'll have enough money by spring for a car so I don't see the point in dropping a grand on a scooter. Yes I plan on wearing a helmet, and I'll probably be keeping most of my books in my locker at school so I don't need to really worry about the weight or getting any extravagant carrier.

It's ok, delbarco. At least you can ride a bike

eandy wrote:It's ok, delbarco. At least you can ride a bike

eandy wrote:It's ok, delbarco. At least you can ride a bike

Never too late. I learned at 20.

dutchstriker wrote:

eandy wrote:It's ok, delbarco. At least you can ride a bike

Never too late. I learned at 20.

I was traumatized when I was six. No more bike for me, EVER.

eandy wrote:

dutchstriker wrote:

eandy wrote:It's ok, delbarco. At least you can ride a bike

Never too late. I learned at 20.

I was traumatized when I was six. No more bike for me, EVER.

hmmmm, I took this as a backhanded inside joke. Woops.

From where you live is MARTA a possibility for getting to campus, or at least being able to bike to a stop, put your bike on the rack at the front of the bus and then take marta the last mile, or two, or three if the weather sucks?

Biking around Emory isn't the greatest but it's doable. Very hilly (Druid Hills), but it's mostly residential, so sidewalks are prevalent and car speeds are tolerable. That said, Atlanta drivers are idiots. Wear your helmet, include a bike light and even consider a horn.

I was close friends during my Masters @ Emory with a girl who rode every day...until she got hit. On rainy days she'd either suck it up or leave her bike until the next day and schlep a ride. She also made friends with some bike-riding faculty and could leave some of her heaviest books on the days she was most exhausted.

Also an interesting tidbit - allegedly if an Emory bus hits you, and they are at fault, Emory will cover your tuition. Perhaps an urban legend, but everyone swears to know of a friend of a friend...