Let's make biking to work for everyone

I live in the city and generally take public transit to work. But commuting via bicycle is always an option.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of the bikes on the market aren't suitable for commuting. They require that you dress in "biking clothes" and take on a life style called Urban Biker. No other form of commuting requires special garb. It is one of the tremendous failures of every single US-based bike manufacturer: Sales are paltry. And so manufacturers focus on "cool fragility" and not the "useful".

Unacceptable bikes do the following:

Spray mud on your butt and back
Get grease on your pants
Are too fragile to leave outdoors

That's garbage, and the Europeans know it. They have tons of city bikes, which are much like the bikes we used to have here in the states. They are designed to help anyone of any age get around the city - to work, the grocery, or the library.

So in this article I list out what I want from a NOT FAKE Commuting City Bike. Bike manufactures, do your best! You're almost there. There is money in this stuff if you can think and act like Steve Jobs did.

So that I can dress for work and not get slopped up

Step through frame
Effective fenders
Skirt guards
Sealed drivetrain (such as a full chain case)
Upright seating

So that I don't have to worry about my bike

Weatherproof for leaving outdoors (no rust, please)
Built-in security locks or locking points
Reasonably priced - should be much cheaper than a fair used car
Small enough to lug indoors

So that I can carry stuff

Reasonable baskets
Luggage racks

So that I can ride safely

Built-in, automatic lights
Reflective surfaces
Built-in bell

So that I can pedal

Some gearing for some minor hills, erring towards granny
Platform pedals
Reasonable weight
Low rolling-resistance tires

So that I can minimize maintenance

Puncture-resistant tires
Sealed drivetrain
Designed to be left in the rain/snow/sun
Appropriately robust

These are just good ideas, but some great ideas may obviate the need for some of my line items.

OK folks, tell me what fits the bill in the comments, or tell me what else YOU would like to see in a great commuting city bike.

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The Lance J. Technoweb

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