And then, I got one!

The “low step-over” is more important than you say, here. It is essential to having an enjoyable bike ride, for me.

I like being able to put both feet down, step off, walk alongside the bike (the folding pedal doesn’t hit me).

I like that pace of things. I like to actually see the beautiful view, and not zoom past it at speed.

I like to participate in the scenery. I see geese landed ahead. I want to walk up, sit down, and be with them for awhile.

The main deterrent for actually using any bicycle I have owned, is worry about theft. I like the coffee shops. I like outdoor cafes. I just hate worrying about theft of my beautiful, and expensive, bicycle.

However, that problem is removed.

The folding bicycle is so rather “odd” and so many thieves are just not interested, and, if I feel the least bit insecure about being away from my bicycle, it folds and I bring it inside.

I can even put it in it’s bag, so there is no objection whatsoever about dirty tires on the floor.

The Bike Friday website has shown me people actually tour on their folding bicycles.

I might even do that.

By the way, your website is very motivational. I look at your experiences and I say, I could do that.

The kids in our area relate to Bike Fridays too because of the small wheels, I think. They see adults on BMX-sized bikes and can see that cycles have potential for transport. So we hope we’re doing our little bit to divert ambition from car ownership to bike ownership.

Older people stop and talk to us when we’re in town shopping, describing the folders (often still called ‘shoppers’ after the first Moulton) they use because the low step-through is no problem for their arthritic hips.

Folders are already the cars of today – here’s to a cycling future!

I’ve ridden it in 15 countries, and rode it across the US (4000 miles) the summer of 2008. It’s the motor, not the bike that matters. I turn 60 in a few days. With nearly 15 years of riding, here are the negatives:
1. I does drop into small holes in the pavement more easily than a larger wheel.
2. It weighs a little more than the newest carbon fiber wonders, but most people could lose 2 # of body weight and make up the difference.
3. Tires wear out faster; 2/3 the size, 1/3 less life.

Here are the positives:
1. Quick fold and toss it in the car in 20 seconds.
2. Never worry about it being stolen off the roof rack or collecting bugs, grit, dirt, rain on the roof, plus dropping your gas mileage on a trip.
3. Take it by air in the normal case with no special cost or provisions, just like standard luggage.
4. As Lynette noted, stand-over matters; it’s a plus.
5. It’s a conversation starter when touring; anywhere — any country.
6. My trailer converts to be a utility trailer; but I can do the same with a conventional bike.
7. If you fit it correctly, the touch-points are identical to any other bike.
8. Less spinning mass means it accelerates faster and slows a little faster (like that maters to most of us.)
9. The convenience of bringing your own bike eliminates finding a bike at the other end of a trip, suffering poor fit, and the time hassle of picking it up and taking it back.
10. Ideal for touring and road riding; perhaps a bit worse that a big tire bike for off-road riding.

I seem to have a lot more positives than negatives. In the end, all manners of convenience means that you are likely to ride, be healthier, be happier, and perhaps save some money. What’s not to like about that.