Commute to Duke on Old-Timey Bicycle
Sustainable Duke office offering more alternative commuting methods
Move over, carpoolers and bus riders – the high-wheel bicycle is coming to Duke campus.The penny-farthing, the transit choice in the 1880s, is making a comeback among employees, according to Sustainable Duke officials. Twenty models have been added to West Campus’ bicycle fleet, which can be borrowed by the hour by paying in silver dollars. Duke research technician Abe Haberdashery said he rides his high-wheel bicycle from north Raleigh to the Duke Medicine campus every day, sharing the right-hand lane on I-40 with car commuters.“Why choose to ride alone in a car when you can simultaneously enjoy the spring breeze while dodging cars going 80 miles per hour in traffic?” Haberdashery said. “It’s redefined how I ride a bicycle, which is basically pedaling while twirling my impressive mustache.”The university’s penny-farthing initiative will continue to help Duke achieve its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2024.“My bicycle can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century,” said Casey Roe, Duke’s assistant sustainability director, as she climbed a small ladder to get to her bicycle seat. “It turns heads on campus, especially when I’m wearing my top-hat helmet.”--April Fool’s!
The penny-farthing isn’t actually making a debut on Duke campus, but find other hip alternative commuting methods online and ways to join Duke’s sustainability efforts.