U-Haul to You-Haul.
It's a switch you'll never regret, so hang up the moving van keys, grab
your helmet and join the parade.
Need to move to a new house or apartment but hate renting
the truck and the process of packing and unpacking? Boy, have I got a solution for you: Move by Bike. Moving by bike is a dearly-loved
event in Portland's
bike community and a great, sustainable and cheap alternative to renting a
motorized behemoth by yourself. Lots of
furniture, you say? Bring it on, I
reply!
Anyone who has seen or participated in a moveXbike can
easily say that it's an experience not to be missed. It's like a barn-raising for the urban
environment, a gangly parade that migrates the innards of one's living room
from hither to thither to the melodious sounds of bike bells and "car up!" We've moved puppet theatres, small
businesses, file drawers, a chinchilla, more than one hide-a-bed, countless
bookcases and chest of drawers, accordions, plants, saplings, and a documentary
crew, to name just a few items. You
don't need a trailer, just moxy and a sense of fun and adventure.
I've now done nine bike moves (one mine, 8 for other
people), and I can tell you there's nothing finer. My bike move occurred in chilly January 2007
with a record 22 friends helping. We
moved all of my stuff (including a futon and chest of drawers) almost seven
miles from SE to North Portland in three
hours, including loading and unloading time, and ended with a four-hour gala
housewarming party.
Steps to Moving By Bike
1. Choose a weekend
day and invite your friends, family, and Shift's moveXbike lovers. Good weather helps but is not required
2. Pack your things
beforehand with some thought to distributing weight. Small boxes and bags are highly recommended
3. Plan a bike route
that avoids busy intersections and big hills
4. Buy coffee and
breakfast munchies for the beginning, prepare for pizza or food for your new
home as a thank you (and fuel)
5. Enjoy the parade
that is your Move by Bike!
Common move by bike
tools include a trailer, used bike innertubes, panniers, backpacks, bungee
cords, duct tape, string, tarp, and small padding equipment.
My friend, Aaron Tarfman, moved one week ago with a record
number of trailers and new people.
Nineteen people, five of them brand new moveXbikers, hauled the entire
contents of his apartment on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.
Of course, the best way to learn how moving by bike works is
to help someone move by bike. Check out
Shift's "MoveXBike" webpage for the next move.
You'll be hooked immediately, I swear.
And just think how much cheaper coffee is than gas.
I leave you with a video of Aaron moving his chest of
drawers by bike, taken by Matt Picio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIj4QgZrw6w
If that's not enough, here's a longer bike move video with more explanation from StreetFilms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq3oSyvXLiY
See you in the bike lane.
Next week: all-weather
cycling More...