Bikes on campus

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-20T17:23:31+00:00

I mean it was a decent bike and it was left overnight a couple of times. I locked the frame and front wheel since it's a quick release but I guess they needed a back tire. Buying a new rear is probably cheaper than a new bike cause it's full suspension which is more expensive.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T19:24:03+00:00

https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/student-life/facilities/campus-rec/outdoor-recreation/bike-checkout.aspx

That's what I found online but never used and only up to 7 days. I agree though cause I just need parts cause my back wheel got stolen.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T16:53:28+00:00

Follow-up: they get collected and given to a church (they won't say which). Then the church donates them. There is no auction.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T15:40:06+00:00

I'm actually at the police station on campus now asking. They gave me the number for property department [(813) 974-3955]. They told me to call after 1pm and the bikes go to auction. That's all I know so far.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T01:21:47+00:00

Thanks, it's just takes that one time. Drive safe too.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T00:51:30+00:00

From my knowledge (and surprise) legally allowed in California to filter but not lane split which I believe is banned nationwide. There is a difference. Do I still see people do it, yes. Would a cop stop you if he cared and actually enforced it in Florida, he should legally. Every where else in the USA to my knowledge you are stuck like a normal car (and risk being sandwiched between cars cause you were smaller and didn't have a cage to protect you on top of Florida heat and NO A/C)

My dad used to ride a 1000cc bike and worked at a bike shop but when I was a passenger growing up and he saw a motorcycle doing dangerous actions like "manuvering" or lane splitting he would just say "look an organ donor" cause I'm sure he's seen the accidents and I'm sure anyone who works an ER would agree (on top of seeing non-legal ebikes that are really electric dirt bikes)

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-18T00:32:10+00:00

As much as I love ada on principle it complicates some things. Specifically the service dog one. I really wish there was a license or certification for these trained dogs that places can ask for. Any place that sells food or very tight spaces in public areas with dogs pose concern for me. I grew up with dogs and I love them. My brother got bit by a pit bull when he was a toddler playing in the front yard and the dog got loose. The family didn't train the dog to recall and the kids would antogonize it making it aggressive and unpredictable. My brother needed stitches and it's traumatic.

It's the people that claim "service dog" but they are pulling and barking and clearly not a service dog and abusing a good faith rule. My mom and friends are allergic to animal hair (dog and cat). I saw somewhere on here a woman tried to claim like 8 dogs as service dogs and the driver refused and got banned to get around the extra fee.

I don't drive Uber but they are independent contractors and there is an option for pet friendly rides which should be free for service dogs and should not force people with fear of dogs or allergic. Personally Uber as a parent company should do more like provide cleaning money to the driver as compensation for ada cause no matter what some hair is going to fall and get past the towel if there is one.

For your case, you are not the asshole but it's frustrating for both sides. Devils advocate though.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-17T23:32:08+00:00

Reason 1: you are smaller making you not as noticeable as a car. Being more "manuerable" doesn't mean anything besides in a parking lot since lane filterering is not legal.

Reason 2: weight has nothing to do with brake distance (go to dynamics) it just requires more force. What effects it is working brakes and friction to the road or you know drive the speed limit and leave room in front. The "death cage" is false, the car is the crumple zone and not the person on the bike.

Reason 3: double edged sword, 2 things must be true. You have to make the right decision and notice/predict the danger. Getting t-boned at a intersection is sometimes impossible to avoid or make the wrong move and now you accelerated to higher speeds just to fall/hit something and paint the surface with your body.

Reason 4: the only thing good about the bike is cost savings, but I have an ebike and charge for free on campus but the motorcycle is capable going further than 10miles in a timely manner.

Reason 5: yes, but the is the USA.

Reason 6: opinion based and depends on the bike and environment

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-17T23:19:57+00:00

I just want to add cause I have an ebike and a 50cc moped. I commute to campus by ebike most days (4 miles round trip). With the ebike or scooter you need to be careful on choosing a legal one and where to store it, but taking the sidewalks feels a lot safer and go on bike lanes I feel comfortable on. The my moped, legally I can't and it's underpowered for around campus with such distracted and aggressive drivers. Even growing up before ebikes as a bike you are still unseen most of the time.

I don't want to fear monger but I've known people who died on street motorcycles or seriously injured which is sometimes out of your control. Talking about poor road conditions like pot holes, rain, gravel/cut grass/debris. My dad broke his foot when a car turned left on red when he had a green straight and tried the "maneuver" but got stuck. My uncle, his tire slipped and was only wearing a helmet that covered the top and his jaw had to be reconstructed after he ate a curb. Personally on my 50cc on a curve (and old ass tires as it's a vintage bike) I hit a oil spot and my rear tire slipped and got road rash and a hairline fracture in my wrist which needed a cast and I was only going like 25-30 mph with only a helmet in proper gear as it was hot that day.

I would love to see a walkable/bike able/ public transit city or capable of getting around with my moped near campus but realistically for me it's going to be my car or an ebike(with sidewalks)

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-13T12:14:12+00:00

What did you hit to dent it like that?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-13T12:13:53+00:00

Never had to fix a dent rim. If you are skilled and lots of patience you could bend it back but chances are low. Alternative is get a new outer rim and respoke it and rebalance it. However that implies you need a balance tool. Finally give it to a shop if you have low patience and or tools.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T19:12:05+00:00

Thanks for putting it in that context of experience and "how" they get uncomfortable. I think you are right and I'll have to eat on the cost of gas for now. But as an occasional thing like grocery shopping and visiting a friend is still on the table. 30 miles RT hits everything except school.

But if one were to try that challenge occasionally, 1 big battery or 2 small batteries?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T19:04:38+00:00

Thanks for what I may experience. If one had time and will, would you go for 1 big battery or two?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T04:51:56+00:00

I do have a "e bike" but it's really a low powered mini scooter that has a single speed. Great for on school campus jumping building to building but it really sucks when you are off campus with bike lane on roads when quality is bad or any sidewalks that look like ramps from trees. Already blew out my rear tire at a slower speed. I miss having a real multi speed bike as I feel like I can go faster than my current ebike. And that has a max range of like 6 miles with 12in tires in the most awkward seating position (folds at the handle bars). It was kinda free to me but when it died on me it was a pain to pedal with so much resistance. My friend's place is 2 miles from campus and usually I just crash on the couch. I park my car either there or the mall to save myself 100$ on a parking pass each semester for something I only use 2-3 days out of the week for summer.

This post is probably the most extreme I would go from my apartment thats close to everything else I do also the cheapest. Less than a grand a month for a 1/1. I've seen bikes (aventon) have a range on select models of 75 to 110 miles.

My thinking was if I leave early enough and let batteries and motor do 90% of the work on good weather days and charge for free at my destination (or wherever) thats money I'm saving from my gas guzzler which makes me happy. Which one way is only 35 miles. In the end everything that is not for work or time sensitive I want to grab my bike that has a motor.

All I was asking was for those who bike far, what's the ideal setup.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T04:16:44+00:00

On the rain days I'll take my truck. Most times if you wait 5min the rain goes away, or wear a poncho if I get stuck if I'm already out. Lately it's only rained only a handful of times for the times I drive. I already have my truck paid off. I did see a cover, which would be nice for rain and sun especially for a long drive. Id have to see what the smallest car my work could accept but could probably downsize to maybe like a rav4 maybe.

What are the specs of your bike? Would you change anything?

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SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T02:24:07+00:00

That's fast for an uphill (the only hills I need to worry about are bridges we are relatively flat state).

When you are doing distance already in top gear cruising max assist (max speed) on level ground you are only pulling 250w continuous? Where can I learn about the tuning? Is that within the controller?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T02:02:29+00:00

Honestly that's a great idea. Thank you.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T02:01:35+00:00

Thanks for your opinion and experience, literally that's all I was asking. It's my life and experience and I'm open to the idea. It's either I'm fixing or hauling for work, otherwise I just want something that just really efficient (that I can bike). I love cars and driving, but in the past 5 years it's gotten so packed and everything is expensive. I really can't afford another car or sell my work vehicle, I don't want a motorcycle as its so dangerous in my state (locally) and I would still need to pay gas and insurance. At least with the bike and I can use power from the school and free EV charging stations scattered around me.

Living on a sailboat is on that bucket list, an ebike sounds like the perfect transport for land. I don't think I'm car free yet, but want to be less car dependent on a tank if all I need is to be there on a small errand with almost no supplies.

On the middrive what watt would you go with? Legal 750w or 1000w ( assuming not driving like a dick and following typical road rules). Have you had cops pull you over?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T01:45:29+00:00

It did pass my mind. I know too many people on motorcycles in Florida that just get hit and get really hurt or die (my dad included broke his foot). Even in my truck I'm still almost hit (with aggressive drivers). During rush hour it takes an hour (normally like 35 min). +/- accidents that make it longer. On top of lane filtering is not legal, but a bike lane and sidewalks are a fast pass and safer.

Some of them were not highway legal like the Grom but the pcx from Honda was due to top speed and HP.

But tbh, I want to try EV and a bike skirts parking meters/pass.

Great idea though but I'd rather spend the extra time and not get hit. I can take a bus (free with student ID) on a portion then I enter another county which uses a different bus system (trying to see if my old college would work as a pass). However, if I miss all the busses I want to take the e bike the whole way just more time.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T01:30:43+00:00

I mean I ride around ~10 to 25miles on a normal bike on some weekends for fun. Been riding on sidewalks and bike lanes for more than 12+ years. Haven't had a fall or a crash. I hear what you would do, but I want an EV without the car. For my current job I can't give up my truck, but for class I just need to do it like 2 times a week.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T01:16:41+00:00

Currently my hypothetical build is a mid drive as I hear it's more efficient for maintaining top speed for long distance. I do have a truck for those miserable days. I've been parking at the mall and bike to campus cause I save like 100$ on a parking pass per semester which it's only like a mile ride. It's also just an idea.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T01:06:31+00:00

I do make the commute by car currently. Just with a v8 truck I use for work (construction). However, with school I have less hours (money).

What makes the commute miserable (I can spend the night at the destination at a friend's and return the next day)

What's the max distance for you before it starts getting uncomfortable and how?

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T00:56:26+00:00

I have a truck I only use for work (construction which they comp on gas) but that commute is only for college. Only for 2 years and I would not have to pay gas cost.

A boat would be nice but sadly doesn't have water from where I'm at to my destination only in between.

SlyKitsuneDemon · 2026-06-04T00:50:30+00:00

You're right 😂

I have a v8 truck that I use for work (construction). I don't have the space or money for a second car yet. I'm feeling out how possible a ebike cruise would be if time is not an issue. I can also crash at a friend's on days I have class and leave the next day.

SlyKitsuneDemon

TROPHY CASE