Using “last mile” transportation as full commute?

[NorCalAthlete]

Anyone here have a short enough commute they feasibly use a method of so-called last mile or PEV transportation for the full commute? Daily?

What do you have? What’s it like? How’s it different / similar from just commuting by bicycle?

My issue is I have a bicycle for commuting but currently am in a job where I have to be dressed in business casual / nicer stuff at work. Moderate dress shoes, collared shirt, hair can’t be a mess. Etc. Definitely can’t show up sweaty and in workout clothes, and there are no showers or locker rooms in my building just standard bathrooms.

I have a commute of about 9 miles (or 50+, though I rent a place to reduce it to 9) that can take me anywhere from 20 min to 75+ min by car depending on traffic. By moto, it’s about 20-40. My current record while caging it was ~2.5 hours. Utterly stuck on the freeway with traffic backed up 2 exits past mine due to a 4-car collision.

So I’m thinking a PEV would allow me to commute bicycle routes without the sweat and muss, with enough speed to probably come close to matching my moto commute at the longer times. Most don’t quite have the range or speed, but a couple look like solid possibilities. The Onewheel XR or the Boosted Board both have sufficient range to make it 1-way with a padding, and are fast enough to do it in a reasonable time. I’m leaning toward the OneWheel XR but can’t get over that price tag - I just keep thinking I could get a used dirt bike for that much, turn it into a super moto, and still have cash left over. (~$1800+).

So what sayeth BARF? 9-ish mike commute, charge at work, commute back.

 

[madsen203]

I’m seriously considering the Segway Ninebot Max scooter. $800, real world 30 mile range, 15-16 MPH average. I follow several electric scooter groups and so far this seems to be the most reliable on the market. The boosted Rev is awesome but has a real world range of 6 miles—not 22.

I have same problem. Biking causes me to be just sweaty enough to make me not want to use that method. Electric bicycles can’t be brought into work place and therefore more likely to be stolen or tampered with unlike the scooter.

Problem with scooter? Not great where there are lots of big pot holes (use bike paths/routes!), they have a stigma, likely, you’ll want a helmet but not required.

Ps: the new line scooters in the city I believe are using the Segway Max scooter. They have them set on setting “2” which is a tad slower at the cost of extending range. You could try one to see how you like it before committing to it fully.

 

[UDRider]

Why not electric bicycle? Aaron has one and was commuting to it to BART. Seemed to like it. They can go pretty fast with minimal effort.

 

[auntiebling]

Saw a used one wheel on facebook for 1k. Shoot motoproponent a message he has one and rides it a lot. Not sure if he has pulled off s full commute tho.

Do any of them have swappable batteries, could have one at home and one at work, 1 for morning, and a charged one waiting for the ride home. Probably $$$$

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Why not electric bicycle? Aaron has one and was commuting to it to BART. Seemed to like it. They can go pretty fast with minimal effort.

$$$$$$ for one. Two, there are no bike racks at my work - people just lock them in the stairwells to the banisters and such. Some stairwells have a minimal bike rack that can hold 2-3 bikes but yeah. It’s also bulkier if I decide to hop on public transportation for any portion, and the advantage with a onewheel or something is I can ride it around campus a lot easier too.

Another use case I’m thinking of is being able to throw it in the back of the car or even in a backpack on my moto for taking it elsewhere. I’ve heard the OneWheel rides like a snowboard so that would also help work my legs/ankles year round to stay in shape for snowboarding season.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

"PEV" transportation.

"PEV" means Chevy Volt or Prius Plug-in. You mean a hybrid car? Okay.

Otherwise, yes, an electric bicycle is probably what you want. Otherwise it's "public" transportation, i.e. light or heavy rail, just as used by well-dressed people in many places.

 

[madsen203]

$$$$$$ for one. Two, there are no bike racks at my work - people just lock them in the stairwells to the banisters and such. Some stairwells have a minimal bike rack that can hold 2-3 bikes but yeah. It’s also bulkier if I decide to hop on public transportation for any portion, and the advantage with a onewheel or something is I can ride it around campus a lot easier too.

Another use case I’m thinking of is being able to throw it in the back of the car or even in a backpack on my moto for taking it elsewhere. I’ve heard the OneWheel rides like a snowboard so that would also help work my legs/ankles year round to stay in shape for snowboarding season.

The scooter can be had on BART/BUS, fits in trunk of car. Not likely to fit in any backpack. Much safer than one wheel (there’s an entire forum of people with injuries from those things).

I agree the bicycle is cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to store. Scooter FTMFW!

 

[TheRobSJ]

If I was going that route I’d pony up $1600 for the Boosted Rev scooter. Looks well made, a little bit bigger wheels than than norm, and 22mi max range. The range is probably cutting the margins close for a 9 mile commute though. But damn, it goes 24mph.

I have zero practical need for one, and I even want one. Everyone at the shop is egging me on to buy it hoping I’ll get bored of it after a few months and sell it to them on the cheap.

 

[Caddywumpus]

My coworker uses a booster bird scooter. Gets him 3-4 miles from his Caltrain drop.

No idea the total range

 

[UDRider]

If I was going that route I’d pony up $1600 for the Boosted Rev scooter. Looks well made, a little bit bigger wheels than than norm, and 22mi max range. The range is probably cutting the margins close for a 9 mile commute though. But damn, it goes 24mph.

I have zero practical need for one, and I even want one. Everyone at the shop is egging me on to buy it hoping I’ll get bored of it after a few months and sell it to them on the cheap.

I completely support their plan. :laughing

 

[madsen203]

If I was going that route I’d pony up $1600 for the Boosted Rev scooter. Looks well made, a little bit bigger wheels than than norm, and 22mi max range. The range is probably cutting the margins close for a 9 mile commute though. But damn, it goes 24mph.

I have zero practical need for one, and I even want one. Everyone at the shop is egging me on to buy it hoping I’ll get bored of it after a few months and sell it to them on the cheap.

The boosted REV on Sport mode (access to 24 MPH) only gets 6-7 miles on the full charge. Mode two, which is around 18mph and slower acceleration, gets 12-13 mile range. Won't cut it for most. Throw in some cold weather and you'll see the range drop further.

They are incredible for SHORT journeys but for an actual commute or regular use, they are impractical. The MAX scooter averages about 26-32 miles in mode 3 which is equivalent to mode 2 speeds with the boosted rev. The MAX was also built stronger as it was developed for the rental market which we all know are ABUSED compared to personal scooter ownership like Boosted.

 

[ctwo]

$$$$$$ for one. Two, there are no bike racks at my work - people just lock them in the stairwells to the banisters and such. Some stairwells have a minimal bike rack that can hold 2-3 bikes but yeah. It’s also bulkier if I decide to hop on public transportation for any portion, and the advantage with a onewheel or something is I can ride it around campus a lot easier too.

Another use case I’m thinking of is being able to throw it in the back of the car or even in a backpack on my moto for taking it elsewhere. I’ve heard the OneWheel rides like a snowboard so that would also help work my legs/ankles year round to stay in shape for snowboarding season.

Well, I like my e-bike. Converted 80's MTB using a $120 ebay wheel kit and surplus $50 18650 scooter packs. 20 miles sustained @ 20+MPH and it's not that heavy. I should weigh it, but probably added 20# to the bike. Plus, I charge it with solar panels.

My commute is over 40 miles though so I only use it for recreation.

 

[Chill]

I love these things, so much fun. They are littered all over my neighborhood (GrandLake Oaklamd, my daughter and I call them out "oh look, a flock of Birds, a dead Bird, Lime disease...") and I'll grab one several times a week for a 1-3 mile one way trip. Have not bought one.... yet.

I use Lime, Bird, and Lyft all the time. But lately, Lyft has been dropping the Ninebot MAX. If I have a choice, I am riding one of those. Well made, sturdy, battery under the board, big wheels w/ tubeless air tires. The air tires may be a drawback? Dunno I like the softer ride.

Have never used one for more than 3 miles so I can not speak to the range or overall commuter utility. I have binned one so I can say that even on short rides you might want to consider wearing a helmet and gloves. Also, just like moto, no one sees you, everyone wants to kill you, and there are potholes everywhere.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Rough roads and train track crossings are honestly one of the reasons the OneWheel is a more attractive option imo. Fatter, larger tire that isn’t going to dump you because of a pebble.

Also, I do plan on largely utilizing creek trails and such with minimal intersections across roads and few others to worry about.

 

[tuxumino]

to much money and way over kill for what you want but....

https://www.mondaymotorbikes.com/

 

[yumdumpster]

Rough roads and train track crossings are honestly one of the reasons the OneWheel is a more attractive option imo. Fatter, larger tire that isn’t going to dump you because of a pebble.

Also, I do plan on largely utilizing creek trails and such with minimal intersections across roads and few others to worry about.

It sounds like a scooter will be up against it on the range side. What about a folding electic bicycle you could stash at your desk? I know a couple of companies make them now.

 

[Climber]

Whatever happened to gopeds? Can you ride them in bike lanes?

 

[Blankpage]

If I was going that route I’d pony up $1600 for the Boosted Rev scooter. Looks well made, a little bit bigger wheels than than norm, and 22mi max range. The range is probably cutting the margins close for a 9 mile commute though. But damn, it goes 24mph.

I have zero practical need for one, and I even want one. Everyone at the shop is egging me on to buy it hoping I’ll get bored of it after a few months and sell it to them on the cheap.

Are those things allowed on the sidewalk?

 

[Silence]

I love my e-skateboard (Acton Blink S2), but I don't think it's viable for congested car/pedestrian commutes.

Unlike many boards, I *can* kickturn the thing, but I didn't grow up as a skater and the heft of the onboard battery makes quick, precise kickturns a bit on the difficult side.

Skateboard wheels are inherently problematic for navigating imperfections on the road as well. I've been pitched at 20 mph on a downhill grade from hitting an unavoidable crack in the asphalt and I was quick enough to bail (that cartoon-airborne run) without incident but it's something to think about.

If I lived in the south bay/lower peninsula and worked, I think I would feel very differently though.

 

[Yakoo752]

to much money and way over kill for what you want but....

https://www.mondaymotorbikes.com/

that's tempting