Electric Assist Biker Wins Morristown Commuter Challenge

This challenge tested different modes of transportation to see which is fastest during rush hour traffic

Marty’s Reliable Cycle and TransOptions' Third Annual Sustainability Challenge was held Thursday morning amid the morning rush hour, slight rainfall and overcast skies. The challenge was to see which form of sustainable transportation could easily take a commuter from the Madison train station to the Hyatt Hotel in Morristown, during rush hour, and is there a significant time difference to traverse the 5.5-mile course. At exactly 8:40 a.m. the starting signal was given and the seven participants sprang into action. And the winner is … Eric Noonan riding the electric assist Bicycle who finished the course in only 17 minutes by arriving at the Hyatt at 8:57 a.m. All were treated to coffee and snacks by the Manager of the Hyatt and his staff …

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Morristown Bike Shop Plans 3rd Annual Commuter Challenge

Which is fastest: bikes, cars or mass transit?

As bicycles and vehicles learn to share the road together, one Morristown business is looking to put them to the ultimate test.  Marty’s Reliable Cycle and TransOptions have set the third annual Alternative Commuter Challenge for May 23. Bikes will challenge cars and mass transit in this race where there are no losers, and this year members of the public can join in. The modes of transportation include: In 2011, Vance won through the NJ Transit and his Dahon-brand folding bicycle and in 2012, No. 1 was plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius from Toyota of Morristown The event kicks off at Drip Coffee at 34 Main St., Madison. Here's a look at how the day will go: The commuter challenge is being organized by Marty’s Reliable Cycle and TransOptions to …

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Morristown Group to Teach Adults How to Bike

Bike and Walk Morristown teamed up with TransOptions to host Morristown's first ever adult learn to ride class. Second session is Saturday, May 4, 10 am-noon.

Prius Beats Folding Bike in Commuter Challenge 2

TransOptions, Marty's Reliable Cycle-organized event held on May 9.

Call it a sophomore slump. At last year's inaugural "Commuter Challenge," a bike, folding bike and Chevrolet Volt competed against each other to see which would get from Madison to Morristown the fastest. In the end, Matthew Vance's Daikon folding bicycle beat the rest. But, in this year's follow-up, the rules were a little altered to better mirror real-world situations. Instead of everyone starting from the Madison train station, they started from Drip Coffee on Main Street. That meant Vance would have to take his bike over to the train station first. Also new this year was the addition of several other riders, including Marty Epstein of Marty's Reliable Cycle, Paul Miller of Sustainable Morristown and a pair of electric bike riders, Eric…

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5 Things You Need to Know Today

Bicycles, How Do We Love You?

Let us count the ways.

It is that time of the month again. The time when all manner of folks descend upon the Town Hall parking lot at 6:30 p.m. to gather in a showing of unity and love ... of bikes. Yes, friends, it's "Community Bike Ride" time again! Or, if you prefer, "Critical Mass" bike ride time again. Either one is acceptable. While last month's Zombies vs. Pirates-themed ride was Morristown Patch's first foray into this monthly community endeavor, it is by far not the first time those beautiful creatures on two wheels (and, we're not talking about the  Derby girls, they have eight) have graced this site's virtual pages. So, in honor of the monthly ride (followed tonight by the Morristown Bike Fest: A Celebration of People and Pedals), we present some of …

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Video: 'Commuter Challenge' Seeks Alternative Options

The folding bike/train method beats bicycle, electric car by minutes.

On Wednesday, May 25, Marty's Reliable Cycle and TransOptions organized a challenge ... a "commuter challenge." Three alternative modes of transportation–a bicycle, Chevrolet Volt electric car and a combination of train travel and folding bike–set out from the Madison Train Station at 8:05 a.m., with the ultimate destination the Hyatt Morristown, about four miles away. While Matthew Vance, the train/folding bike competitor, ultimately won out, he only did so by a few minutes. And, in the end, everyone that sought an alternative to their regular ways of getting around were winners. Check out Morristown Patch's video of the journey.

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Morristown's Question of the Day

How Much Do You Actually Ride Your Bicycle?

Many of us have one; how many actually use it?

While waiting for the 8:05 a.m. train in Madison, marking the start of the "Commuter Challenge" on Wednesday morning, Christine Wong, of Morristown, came up to the group of competitors and organizers of the Marty's Reliable Cycle/TransOptions event to ask about the new Chevrolet Volt electric-powered vehicle competing in the event. Speaking with Matthew Vance, the competitor riding the train and riding from the station to the Hyatt Morristown via his Dahon-brand folding bicycle, she noted she also had one of those types of bikes. "Oh, you're a folding bike rider," I asked. Wong laughed. "I'm a folding bike owner, I'm not a folding bike rider, at least right now." There are a lot of us out there that share Wong's ownership/ridership …

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Kendra Arnold

5:06 pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I ride at least Monday through Friday, but sometimes take the weekend off and just hoof it. What happened on South Street, Mike? doored?   more ›