My Dangerous Brompton Commute to Amazon.

I’m this video I am making the dangerous commute to Amazon on my Brompton. I also talk about some of the dangers while hoping I can bring my Brompton inside.
Twitter: / anxious_vegan
Instagram: / brian_s_downey
Music: ES_Inspiration
www.epidemicso...

[@devinturner6382]

You're totally right; we're far too lenient with people who drive dangerously all because people see having their license revoked as a death sentence- that says a lot about our ability to provide good alternatives to driving.

[@ibikeunfolded]

Many people- pedestrians/drivers/cyclist die on American roadways every year because of dangerous or negligent drivers. I think the government should do more to combat this. If people lost their licenses for doing dangerous or negligent things behind the wheel- more people would think twice before driving recklessly. I think. 🤔

[@fender1000100]

@@ibikeunfolded Money is god in America. They will do whatever they can to keep as many drivers on the street paying taxes etc as possible. The cyclist has the cheapest form of assisted transport. And the powers that be don't like that. They really don't. I know people who commute to work by bike. And save over £2000 a year here in London doing so. There's no real money to be made from cyclists. If even 30% of people took to cycling. The automobile industry would mess up their pants. And all industries who benefit from it.

[@Danokh]

@@fender1000100 Exactly, the only thing that benefits is the car industry, and to be clear the government would have more money with less cars because the cost of maintaining roads costs more than they get from taxing car owners

[@princessleiathemaltese5571]

Love how you share your everyday life on your bike. I like seeing people do things with their bike rather than just use it as a sport.

[@johnnymac8680]

Brian, I appreciate the problems you have with winter cycling. I travelled to and from work for 38 years without any major incidents. Thankfully we get almost no snow here in Ireland.

[@jakeroadtonowhere4070]

Respect for travelling that far on the bike to get to work 👊🏻 Great video, thank you

[@thevoid6818]

Been using my Schwalbe studded ice tyres. Superb to use on Ice and shallow snow. Unbelievably difficult to put on. Probably worse to take off! Keeping me riding on days when it's "too icy to ride". No problems yet. Had to tape a plastic protector to bottom of frame as studs meet paint when folded.

[@andythousand345]

I like your commuting videos the most Brian.

[@mcsequoia5107]

I'm really impressed that your company allows you go to other job sites by bike w. your tools. Every job that I looked at where I could get to other locations by bike or bike+public transit they allows want someone to have a DL & car.

[@ibikeunfolded]

I have a drivers license, that’s required. They did tell me I needed a car… however when I brought to their attention the fact we are a green energy company and the optics of denying one of their employees from his environmentally friendly form of transportation, they thought differently about the matter.

[@dbarker79]

​@ibikeunfolded sorry to be nosey. What do u do for work...a living. Just started watching ur vids and ordered an urbano, mainly cause of ur vids. I'm a traveling field service tech with a company work/personal van. Would be awesome to have a bike rideable job.

[@zigzag8111]

Hi Brian, I watched a few of your videos and decided to subscribe...thank you love your content 👍 I cycle commute all year round too, where I live in the UK there is no cycling infrastructure at all. If you want to stay safe you basically have to glow in the dark and use pavements/side walks when it gets too dangerous. Being female I also have to be invisible too if you understand what I mean but i could never give up cycling....I can't live without bikes.

[@506dayday]

Please be safe! I’m glad you’re uber vigilante and keeping your eyes out for dangerous drivers.

[@robertsmall1003]

Your rant about goon's driving habit's on America's streets is, Spot On. The most often committed crime is having their car on the cross walk lane at intersections as seen in your video. When people renew their driver license they should make them watch your video on how scary it is out there for bicycles. Love your videos.

[@swagmanandy]

If my folder doesn't go anywhere, NEITHER do I !!!

[@alansturk4756]

Great filming allied to a lively, interesting commentary. Fun to watch and listen.

[@kristidubois8400]

I think the pandemic did something to people's brains. Everyone out there seems way more rude and impatient than they used to be, not that drivers were ever all that polite around bicyclists. People just seem to be mean. I had a lot of close calls when I was bicycling to work, and I only had to go 6 miles each way, though on a busy street. Combat bicycling is what I called it. The bicycle lanes were worthless in winter here as well. Stay safe, and thanks for finding the time to do all these great videos. I have no idea how you manage it all. Hope they don't send you out to Amazon too much.

[@bromptinowner763]

I agree since the pandemic more and more folks do seem more rude or trying to create an argument and zero patience some people.

[@bobwilliamson5574]

Nice video Brian, keep ' em coming.

[@jenniewilliams1668]

You are amazing! I can VERY much relate to this trip in the cold and dark to work under non-bike-friendly conditions. More power to you man! Warm regards Jennie

[@ibikeunfolded]

Thank you, I appreciate it😁👍

[@maxtonoliver1550]

Hi Brian, Please let us know what your plans are for the Channel. You owe it to your loyal subscribers to inform us of your intentions. Circumstances change in all our lives. Therefore, if you have no room for ibikeunfolded in your life anymore, please let us know. Your channel has been an inspiration to many tentative or lapsed cyclists to "Get On Their Bikes" (me included: I rebuilt my late wife's 50 year old Hawk folder and now use it regularly) Whatever you decide, please enjoy a satisfying and fulfilling life, but please don't leave your followers dangling! All the best for the future!

[@macmayhem8514]

Always enjoy your footage of rides to and from work on the Brompton! I think you’re right, people just don’t have time for commuting cyclist. There’s good people in Denver, obviously you’re there.

[@ph5915]

Sheesh, I saw a video a while back from Norway or one of the Nordic countries, this smaller town, many, many people bike commute, in the winter, and it's dark even longer parts of the day. They have completely separate bike paths, not just the painted ones on the side of the road like here, and the city has a mandate they are plowed at 1" of snow. Saw all kinds of people, little kids going to school, all ages, in the dark, minus 400 degrees (LOL) it was just a normal thing, much safer being separate and cared for though.

[@ibikeunfolded]

I’ve seen that video you are talking about and I was so jealous of that town.😮.

[@vmahonen]

I think you're talking about this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5nbXmVsfMt2eLc

[@normawingo5116]

Here in the USA, we could completely revamp cycle routes and safe paths. I was in a coma for 3 weeks from being hit by a drunk driver with all the lights etc and following all the rules. We deserve better, and many more people would cycle if we’re safer.

[@ph5915]

@@normawingo5116 OMG!!!

[@blazz573]

The city was Oulu in Finland.

[@TroubleshootGamingMeds]

Wow did you say 19 miles? How long was the ride?

[@DavidTothill]

Great choice of music throughout, lovely dawn shots, looking forward to the new season videos (please confirm you dont actually sleep in your hat 😂)

[@elliotoliver8679]

welcome back to Brian, looks mighty cold there!

[@b.griffin317]

Brian: I see you using the low "T" handlebars. Most people prefer the mid-height "M"s. What are the reasons for either? Why did you choose what you did? Thanks.

[@TR4zest]

That is a badass commute. Props to you.

[@jonathanleach3914]

Very good film Brian. If it helps, I’ve taken mine into many government buildings here in the UK, including our Houses of Parliament. It had to be screened in the same way as an airport through an x ray machine, but no problem getting it in. Thanks.

[@82ogo]

Riding a motorcycle or bicycle on the road is dangerous enough to risk our lives. If you have to go, you have to take a safe road even if it's a little detour rather than a big road. Be especially careful of vehicles turning right and don't stay in the truck's blind spot.

[@ibikeunfolded]

Oh, I know all too well.😁

[@tafent8651]

Brian, really happy to discover your channel. Also a bike commuter, 20+ years now, but nowhere near the level of difficulty you’re tackling. Just got a Chinese copy of the Brompton, will see how it holds up long term. Just a quick question, are you using a front/rear camera (just in case of a mishap), if you are can you recommend a model?

[@whodunit5621]

Hey Brian nice video. 2 questions. What glasses are you using and why don't they fog up? Sad about the truck backing out, human nature i guess. I was out on winter bike aka extracycle. And guy was backing out of laneway on a curved road. I could see over snow bank. And waved the car to stop or notice the car. They did...;-)

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Move to Denmark, my friend! When winter comes they will send out cars/vans with salt, in advance, so that it is more effective if rain or snow then falls. As a now 75 year old man I don't need to, any longer, but anyway I will take my bike out tomorrow for the first ride this year, to get some miles under the wheels. And in Denmark we have separate passes for bikes along most major roads, so it is during crossings that we have to take care. Finn. Denmark

[@GlobalAdventurer]

I would hate riding in the cold/snow/ice 🥶🥶🥶 Power to ya!

[@mannyforvid]

Ice + Bike = no bueno Brian lol.

[@acspectator8636]

When is that Zizzo forte 2023 video coming out?

[@elliotoliver8679]

I am here Checking for updates from my main man Brian!

[@brummelino5524]

Glad to see you, Brian! What´s about Beans? Everything fine with her?

[@thorleg]

I think you can get studded tires for the Brompton. I used to ride studded tires on a 700c bike in winter, and they were really good, heavier but not annoying. That would be easier (for you at least), than to make the city clear the bike paths, and a lot safer.

[@bergolli1]

Hi Brian, those flat ice sheets seem to be horrible. In Germany there is no such hard winter. Tomorrow i had to scrap some ice from the windows of the car and could then go on to work. The main roads where prepared with salt. Temperature about Minus 3 Degrees of Celsius. Cheers from Germany an go on

[@Zen_Not_Zen]

Brian , that was a looooong day, plus you did a days work ! how many miles round trip ?

[@ibikeunfolded]

About 40 miles round trip.😁

[@Zen_Not_Zen]

@@ibikeunfolded oooof!

[@Zen_Not_Zen]

@@ibikeunfolded A very long day at work, then make a video AND be happy with the content. Looks like you've changed jobs, Amazon is miles away, were you closer to Kings? You said you might be touring Europe this year, let's hope that comes to fruition. Roll on, spring and summer!

[@ziggarillo]

Close passes by cars are illegal in the UK.

[@tim2015]

Lots of people in Bedfordshire don’t know that.

[@ziggarillo]

​@@tim2015 I'm sure that's true.

[@drivestorage1779]

Good to know bout the Brompton. We are bike commuters too. Question for you, do you wash your bike everytime after a winter ride? We in fact avoid cycling when it rains because we dread the washing, drying, etc. We are just lazy that way.

[@TroubleshootGamingMeds]

Heal up and come back to yt pls Brian!

[@antcullimore3550]

Just watched Sylvia who rides "Myrtle the Turtle", a recumbent trike. She is planning another US tour and made the comment that drivers seem to have got a lot more hostile in the US over the past 10 years. She is planning a very careful route to try and keep out their way. What's going on? I have ridden places that were difficult - London before cycling infrastructure - and Sydney (Australia) when it seemed like some drivers were just out to kill you. Melbourne is quite different - lots of great shared paths and cycleways. These days I live and cycle in Tasmania. The country lanes are a delight! We get the odd idiot but haven't seen driving like the guys getting around the bloke trying to get out of home while living here. Your comments re cycling infrastructure do hold up in nearby Launceston though. There was a huge outcry when cycle lanes went in - now cars are allowed to park in them during "non rush hour" which defeats the purpose but quietens the drivers down. Stay safe. PS: I love my Brompton too.

[@BlackyBrownDestruction9337]

I would've just said that is my handicap walking stick with wheels

[@prieten49]

Oh, I would just hang that 20 inch tire around my neck... I rode my bike to the schools where I taught English. I would strap my briefcase with my class materials to the rear bike rack. But I was always paranoid and would keep looking back to see if my briefcase was still there. Sure enough, one day while I was looking back and adjusting the briefcase back to the center of the rack, I didn't notice that I was drifting into a bus stop bay, and when I turned back around to the front, it was too late, I ran into the curb at an angle, and rolled onto the sidewalk. My headlight shattered, my knee was bloodied right through my pantleg. My shoulder hurt like hell. This was in the morning and I still had four classes of 3rd and 4th graders to teach in the gym where they were eager for "physical immersion in the English language." That entailed lots of "Heads, shoulders, knees, and toes," "Simon says," "Red light, green light", "Left and right. forward and back," "Mr. Wolf," and other very painful exercises, all to very energetic music on CDs. The school nurse was so kind as to stop the bleeding and bandage me up, but when they saw me limping into the gym, the kids were less than sympathetic. Did you know that 3rd and 4th graders are damn fast and hard to catch? Well, I do now. After that day, I bought a proper basket to put my briefcase into.

[@danielm6381]

New to your channel and have been binge watching to catch up with your journeys. Subscribed, really enjoying your thoughts and content on folding bikes. I mess around with mountain biking in dolby forest UK and a bit of road riding around North Yorkshire. In london I tend to switch between my old charge single speed or a dahon. Wondering if you have any thoughts on the brompton 2 speed? My dahon is old and tired and not worth spending more money on so im temped to replace it with a brompton. I live a mile from the factory :). Not sure to go with the 2 speed for simplicity and if the derailleur dies i can switch it to a single speed to get me going. The idea of a sturmey Archer breaking on me in the middle of nowhere fills me with dread.

[@terrihunt5471]

Hey Brian, hope you are ok

[@hobocyclist]

Bravo, youre a brave man doing this ride on the regular. Cars make good money for the govt, car accidents also make a lot of money for the companies, sad but most of the world is based on this American transport model.. if we survive the bicycle tribes will inherit the earth.

[@thevoid6818]

Until our knees give out! It's all catching up with me now.

[@Arben1977]

Wow! 3 months? hope you are ok Brian!

[@ibikeunfolded]

Recovering nicely- should be back soon.😁👍

[@714SNF]

Awesome video! Stay safe out there! Do you recommend a C-Line Explore or K3 Plus?

[@samwong5045]

Hi Brian, how's bean doing? Hope she is fine. Ride safe, hope to see more of your video.

[@johnclifford1911]

To me the dangerous part of your commute was dealing with ice. No way I'd ride a bike over ice. I have a Brompton, and have fallen on it... two days in the ICU. No thanks!

[@nickbernstein]

You could contact your local representative or non-emergency line. Also, I noticed you don't seem to do much/any multimodal commuting. It would be great if there was better infrastructure, but if you could cut out a chunk of the ride by taking a bus some of the way, that seems like a win for safety.

[@pfscpublic]

What psi do you cycle your Brompton at in these conditions compared to dry conditions Brian?

[@pungutacu2bani.274]

hi. I like your videos, make me lough a lot when you moan !! :)) .... maybe your next Brompton will be a t line , I have one and I love it , is more expensive but at the end of the day you have just one life and enjoy it, i'm not rich guy, I have a normal job like most of the people !! have a wonderful day and look forward for your next video !!

[@keptkozy]

That's crazy about people saying you can't bring the Brompton into a gov building. I daily mine and brought it into a federal building to do some passport stuff and the guards barely noticed it.

[@mauriciolguin]

I've used my Brompton on ice and snow, but in Switzerland, in Denver and Aurora I wouldn't use it. People are not as respectful at least for what I saw in your video. Another thing is that at least in Geneva, there two or three days of snow per year. Is not as cold as Colorado.

[@stushikesandrides]

Great video, thanks for sharing. We have the same issues here in the U.K., so much so that I now ride with front and rear safety cameras which are constantly recording vehicles. The work safety is a con though as they don’t make the ride any safer but they do registrations of idiot drivers if needed later. Stay safe.

[@markhooper5824]

Well said mate.

[@travisfinucane]

Could you take RTD A-Line out to the 40 Ave station, and bike from there?

[@ibikeunfolded]

I could, but I hate depending on others to get to where i want to go. However, I may have to look at that option during the more extreme weather days.

[@Ghost-sz7uo]

how's beans doing?

[@littlegreen5845]

Love your channel

[@Morningcycles]

You would be surprised how hostile drivers are even in a warm state like Florida....Certain areas are better than others, but for the most part its a hostile driving environment as well.

[@happycamper1687]

pretty groovy cycling glasses. What are they?

[@taniacruz5080]

Be careful out there!

[@colinhoward2200]

Hahaha - that is nothing. I just took by Brompton to India and cycled around Bengaluru. I consider myself lucky to be alive! It was fun and exciting though :D

[@hobocyclist]

did u make a vid?? im desperate to watch it!

[@colinhoward2200]

@@hobocyclist I am in the process of consolidating my footage. I will post you a link when it is done. I am not a normal KZbinr, so the editing takes me a lot of time, and I have a LOT of GoPro footage :D :D

[@hobocyclist]

@@colinhoward2200 I know the feeling, i make all my videos with a phone (editing too) its a mission!

[@Art-What..]

IBU.. nice video, it's winter I can see why low video output,hay, what about the accident video update.. also you fly when riding , even faster at fast video mode,ha..🚴🚴🚴🚴

[@acspectator8636]

I wonder if the Asian Bromnots copies with disc brakes could’ve also been allowed inside.

[@acspectator8636]

Oh yeah I wonder if Bromptons are on the other had allowed in dinghy dinner restaurants?

[@normawingo5116]

Body cam, always!

[@jered2177]

Red meat for protein, enjoy the videos on folding bikes

[@richardboyd4861]

In your last video (19January2023) ... you mention (~12:40) that you were injured on a Bike Friday Diamond Llama, but you did not mention HOW/WHY/WHAT. I am “toying” with either Bike Friday All-Packa vs Polygon Zeta or Gili Velo. I keep checking to see if you describe problem with your Bike Friday ... but nothing yet. My “guess” would be Brakes or Hinges. But if you were on horizontal at 18 mph and brakes failed ... then I would think you could coast to slow down a bit ... unless you hit a curb/wall/car/etc. What I was MORE CURIOUS about would be if problem was the Hinges. I bought my son a Zizzo Forte for his birthday (largely because I saw your video about your Zizzo!). I later bought a 10 year old Schwinn Loop at a garage sale ($70). The Schwinn looks (to me) like a Girl's bike for a Circus Clown ... BUT ... the Hinges are more secure/solid ... IMHO. Zizzo rides fine ... but Schwinn actually rides better (hard to tell I am not riding a “real” bike). When we first unpacked the Zizzo Forte ... the main Frame Hinge would NOT lock shut. We tried and tried. Called Zizzo. Tried to return in exchange for another. Finally went to local bike shop ... who called Zizzo Support ... and they got the frame Hinge working. Seems OK, but I always “think” that I should wrap some Duct Tape around the closed hinge as “Insurance”. So ... I am wondering if Hinge was your problem with the Bike Friday. Would like to know before I decide on either Bike Friday or the Polygon. I liked the folding bikes because I can load in trunk or backseat. THEN I found that with the shorter wheelbase of the Zizzo/Schwinn plus their 20 inch wheels ... I could actually load them in backseat UNfolded ... just barely. I then experimented with lowering front passenger seat and placing front wheel of Zizzo on that seat ... and rear wheel on passenger side of backseat. I found that I had about 6 to 8 inches to spare. SOOooooo ... I started looking at the Polygon 20 inch bikes which have NON-folding frames (i.e., Full-Size Frame in their Description) ... with a 4 to 5 inch LONGER wheelbase ... which I could still load in my sedan without messing with external bike carrier. SUMMARY: I am waiting for your “2 cents” on your problem with the Bike Friday. Any idea when that video will be ready???

[@ibikeunfolded]

Well, I was going to wait on the bike Friday video, but maybe I can put out a separate video addressing the issues I found. To be fair, the problem I had, most cyclist won’t have to worry about. Only cyclist that ride hard- I.E. performance cyclist. I’ll address the issue soon.👍

[@richardboyd4861]

re: " Only cyclist that ride hard- I.E. PERFORMANCE CYCLIST" .... that AIN'T me!!!!! ... so you, indirectly, pretty much answered my concerns. Thanx. 🚲👌

[@R.-.]

Maybe you should fit adult stabilisers so you don't fall over on the ice?

[@kwhopper1100]

There should be a 1500 dollar minimum fine for speeding and three times you lose it .

[@bistro437]

Also running into an issue with bringing my Zizzo in different places. Any tips for locking it up outside?

[@agfagaevart]

Buy a bag?

[@zigzag8111]

I think it's would be more secure locking it while folded that way you can get a chain or d-lock through the rear triangle and both wheels although you may have to secure your saddle with a separate lock to the bike.... I'm a 2 lock sort of person 👍

[@jawjuh1005]

Anyone know about how fast he is going on the Brompton?

[@stananders474]

I'm shocked u don't wear highviz.

[@fender1000100]

Yeah I was thinking the same. I wear hi vis. Abd have two lights on the rear and two on the front. You have to make it absolutely no excuses for anyone if they ever hit you.

[@sadikicole3444]

What gloves are you wearing?

[@wthompson006]

Wow! 2 months? Is the channel done or has life thrown you the ultimate curve ball? Hope you’re ok and we will see you again.

[@Chcychy]

Hi brian

[@43cleaner]

how's beans

[@rainbowhiker]

You complain too much. We all deal with bad driving, and sometimes it's us, but it gives the video/channel a negative, petty feel.

[@ibikeunfolded]

Complaining is part of my charm😎

[@NerdsWorldNYC]

No bike lanes??? 😳

[@mcsequoia5107]

I almost gave this a big 2 thumbs down for the lack of a Beans The Kitty-Kat cameo! You really expect me to watch a 20 min video with some gratuitous kitty footage? =)