Tretakoff Musings
Monday, May 12, 2008
Trike To Work Day
What fascinates me about this trike that was on this morning's ferry is the clearance between the ground and the chain: maybe 1"? One good SF pothole will do a number on that. Still, he rides in comfort!
What fascinates me about this trike that was on this morning's ferry is the clearance between the ground and the chain: maybe 1"? One good SF pothole will do a number on that. Still, he rides in comfort!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Snippets from the Marin
Trick or treat! My normal high speed ferry in to work this morning had mechanical issues, so it was replaced by the Marin. The Marin, one of the older (and slower) Spaulding ferries, but the Marin is special: it underwent a multimillion dollar renovation to take this 1970's relic to a state of the art ship. 
Primarily, it was renovated to accommodate the tourist traffic on the San Francisco to Sausalito run, but, on occasion, it is pressed into service for Larkspur.
Impressions:
- The staff is completely bewildered. Although the Marin was specifically renovated to handle over 70 bikes (as are common in the Sausalito run) with dedicated bike racks belowdecks, the staff directed commuters with bikes to the aft, outside (with no racks) "to spare you from having to carry the bike downstairs."
- The seating configurations are fascinating. The bow seats, both belowdecks and on the main deck, have La-Z-Boy seats with combination armrests and trays. Nice touch!
- One of the more charming parts of the Spauldings are the seating configurations in the main aft deck. They have preserved this club-like feel with two L shaped couches, facing each other, which invariably inspires conversation and merriment within.
- The majority of seats are odd: 3's instead of 2's. This mimics the Del Norte with its uncomfortable benches and booths, but looks odd with the Mendocino's Italian seats instead.
- Upper deck is vastly improved, with the Spaulding's classic mix of covered and uncovered seating, finally complimented by the mesh seats of the Mendocino. Heaters seem to have been sacrificed, however; on a chilly foggy am, that's no fun. And more of those 3's again!
- A Disney-esque travel warning and welcome message, pumped through Bose speakers placed every 20 feet.
- Special attention is paid to lighting. From the colored halogen fixtures at the bar, to rope lighting and pinpoint spots on the upper deck, the entire ship feels more dramatic.
Yes, it's still slower. Yes, it has no business on the Larkspur run (less seats, poor staff, ill equipped). But as a Halloween surprise, it was a fun one!
Trick or treat! My normal high speed ferry in to work this morning had mechanical issues, so it was replaced by the Marin. The Marin, one of the older (and slower) Spaulding ferries, but the Marin is special: it underwent a multimillion dollar renovation to take this 1970's relic to a state of the art ship. 
Primarily, it was renovated to accommodate the tourist traffic on the San Francisco to Sausalito run, but, on occasion, it is pressed into service for Larkspur.Impressions:
- The staff is completely bewildered. Although the Marin was specifically renovated to handle over 70 bikes (as are common in the Sausalito run) with dedicated bike racks belowdecks, the staff directed commuters with bikes to the aft, outside (with no racks) "to spare you from having to carry the bike downstairs."- The seating configurations are fascinating. The bow seats, both belowdecks and on the main deck, have La-Z-Boy seats with combination armrests and trays. Nice touch!
- One of the more charming parts of the Spauldings are the seating configurations in the main aft deck. They have preserved this club-like feel with two L shaped couches, facing each other, which invariably inspires conversation and merriment within.
- The majority of seats are odd: 3's instead of 2's. This mimics the Del Norte with its uncomfortable benches and booths, but looks odd with the Mendocino's Italian seats instead.
- Upper deck is vastly improved, with the Spaulding's classic mix of covered and uncovered seating, finally complimented by the mesh seats of the Mendocino. Heaters seem to have been sacrificed, however; on a chilly foggy am, that's no fun. And more of those 3's again!
- A Disney-esque travel warning and welcome message, pumped through Bose speakers placed every 20 feet. 
- Special attention is paid to lighting. From the colored halogen fixtures at the bar, to rope lighting and pinpoint spots on the upper deck, the entire ship feels more dramatic.
Yes, it's still slower. Yes, it has no business on the Larkspur run (less seats, poor staff, ill equipped). But as a Halloween surprise, it was a fun one!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Tale Of Two Ferries
As I avail myself of ferry transportation every day, I am always fascinated with the genre and it's twists and turns. For instance, on the ferry I take, I continue to be frustrated by their lack of vision. Two key runs sell out in the morning, and all others continue to be a dramatic money loser; rather than cut service in those dead times and offer a third run in the peak times, the Golden Gate Ferry continues to plod along without changes. Heck, contract the onboard beverage service to Peet's or Starbucks, and take a piece of the revenue!
However I complain about my ferry, it is still a magnificent way to commute. Folks in Sydney seem to feel the same, as they have started to experience not just great ferry service, but eco-friendly ferry service. With a combination of flexible solar panels and wind harnessing, they commute with half of the emissions of a traditional high-speed ferry. Nice work, down under.
On the flipside, there are my friends at Hawaii Superferry. A massive service, with accommodations for passengers and hundreds of vehicles, they aim to address a major issue with the multiple islands of Hawaii: inter island travel. The ship is more luxury liner than commuter ferry, and the service is modeled around an airline, as opposed to the traditional public transportation approach. Unfortunately, the residents of the islands it was to service protested the potential ecological impact of such a large ship, and blocked the service, just days before it was set to start, causing the layoffs of hundreds of workers. The ship itself is stunning, with all of the modern conveniences and a first class area that has to be seen to be believed. Disclaimer: my company provides the frequent traveler program for HSF.
Here's to hoping the world of aquatic transport continues to grow and innovate, as it's the most stress and traffic free transportation system the Coasts and Islands can imagine.
However I complain about my ferry, it is still a magnificent way to commute. Folks in Sydney seem to feel the same, as they have started to experience not just great ferry service, but eco-friendly ferry service. With a combination of flexible solar panels and wind harnessing, they commute with half of the emissions of a traditional high-speed ferry. Nice work, down under.On the flipside, there are my friends at Hawaii Superferry. A massive service, with accommodations for passengers and hundreds of vehicles, they aim to address a major issue with the multiple islands of Hawaii: inter island travel. The ship is more luxury liner than commuter ferry, and the service is modeled around an airline, as opposed to the traditional public transportation approach. Unfortunately, the residents of the islands it was to service protested the potential ecological impact of such a large ship, and blocked the service, just days before it was set to start, causing the layoffs of hundreds of workers. The ship itself is stunning, with all of the modern conveniences and a first class area that has to be seen to be believed. Disclaimer: my company provides the frequent traveler program for HSF. Here's to hoping the world of aquatic transport continues to grow and innovate, as it's the most stress and traffic free transportation system the Coasts and Islands can imagine.
Labels: commuting, Eco-friendly, transit
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Make a Traffic Light Think Your Bike Is A Car
Ever wonder what makes a traffic light turn green? Some people think it's timing; others are sure there are weight sensors in the road. Still others claim it's some sort of camera system. But actually, it's magnetic field detectors: coils in the road detect large metallic masses over a plate by the stop line, and the traffic light begins its cycle. No cross traffic, no need for a light change. Slick, eh?
Except if you ride a bike.
See, those carbon and aluminum frames are great for speed and lightweight...but not for telling magnetic sensors you are there. Result? Every morning, I face the ethical dilemma of either waiting for a car to pull up to a certain light so I can turn left...or run the light. Guess what wins most days?
However, my lawbreaking may be at an end. The Green Light Trigger pumps out a strong enough field to fool those sensors into believing my Fuji Robauix is a Ford F-150. No, it doesn't override lights like emergency vehicles, but mounted to the base of the frame, it promises to let me keep up with the other four wheeled traffic on the road, with my two wheels. For $25 and two extra grams of weight, worth a shot, no? The folks at Lifehacker seem doubtful, but the comments there give me hope.
Thoughts?
Except if you ride a bike.
See, those carbon and aluminum frames are great for speed and lightweight...but not for telling magnetic sensors you are there. Result? Every morning, I face the ethical dilemma of either waiting for a car to pull up to a certain light so I can turn left...or run the light. Guess what wins most days?
However, my lawbreaking may be at an end. The Green Light Trigger pumps out a strong enough field to fool those sensors into believing my Fuji Robauix is a Ford F-150. No, it doesn't override lights like emergency vehicles, but mounted to the base of the frame, it promises to let me keep up with the other four wheeled traffic on the road, with my two wheels. For $25 and two extra grams of weight, worth a shot, no? The folks at Lifehacker seem doubtful, but the comments there give me hope.Thoughts?
Friday, August 31, 2007
My Two Wheeled Partner
Courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle, a good look at my typical morning commute, as well as Charles, my co-founder of Loyalty Lab and the inspiration for my two wheeled commuting. (Psst...he's the one in the spandex in the photo.)
Courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle, a good look at my typical morning commute, as well as Charles, my co-founder of Loyalty Lab and the inspiration for my two wheeled commuting. (Psst...he's the one in the spandex in the photo.)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Flip Side of Corporate: NeoBedouins
If the Google corporate culture is one end of the spectrum, the ever-improving SFGate.com has a perspective on the other end: the "neo-nomad," or "Bedouins:" those that prefer to work out of a coffee shop. Seems unlikely? Add in WiFi (nearly a requirement for San Francisco), an atmosphere designed for small groups to be able to be together, some funky music, and power, and you've got an incubator for small companies and innovators.
While I definitely prefer the comfort and focus of an office, I tend to make use of these while I am on the road. My favorite is Caribou Coffee: free WiFi that you need to renew every hour; makes you buy more coffee. Lodge-like atmosphere. BIG chairs, friendly staff. However, the idea of doing my work at one of these places is...bizarre. Now add in San Francisco's funky culture and passionate commitment to loud music. How the heck can you work?
Suffice it to say, it's not for everyone, but it's a very interesting insight into a world unlike my own. Bonus: check out this GREAT Slideshow with voiceover from the article. This combination of newspaper with NPR-like immersion is exactly what I wanted to see after reading the article. Gives you a sense of the actual people and atmosphere in the article. Kudos to SFGate for this feature.
If the Google corporate culture is one end of the spectrum, the ever-improving SFGate.com has a perspective on the other end: the "neo-nomad," or "Bedouins:" those that prefer to work out of a coffee shop. Seems unlikely? Add in WiFi (nearly a requirement for San Francisco), an atmosphere designed for small groups to be able to be together, some funky music, and power, and you've got an incubator for small companies and innovators.While I definitely prefer the comfort and focus of an office, I tend to make use of these while I am on the road. My favorite is Caribou Coffee: free WiFi that you need to renew every hour; makes you buy more coffee. Lodge-like atmosphere. BIG chairs, friendly staff. However, the idea of doing my work at one of these places is...bizarre. Now add in San Francisco's funky culture and passionate commitment to loud music. How the heck can you work?
Suffice it to say, it's not for everyone, but it's a very interesting insight into a world unlike my own. Bonus: check out this GREAT Slideshow with voiceover from the article. This combination of newspaper with NPR-like immersion is exactly what I wanted to see after reading the article. Gives you a sense of the actual people and atmosphere in the article. Kudos to SFGate for this feature.
Transit, by Google
What do you do when you need employees in a competitive environment, and stock options and salary are really not enough to distinguish you? Well, after you add free gourmet meals, onsite oil changes and car washes, and other lifestyle perks, you look at what the pain points for the Silicon Valley worker are: commuting. And then? If you're Google, you start a luxury bus line.
Yes, the Goog is now one of the largest transit system operators in the Bay Area. This New York Times article describes what transit is like, Google style:
WiFi, pets, bikes and comfort? Zero environmental impact? FREE? This is living. The article goes on, later, to describe that similar efforts are done by Cisco and Yahoo. In San Francisco, I see the Williams Sonoma luxury coaches delivering workers to BART or the Ferry, from their HQ by Ghirardelli Square every day.
Now, why not take this one step further? Let companies bid on the right to operate public transit? Essentially, privatize it: companies would get the benefit of always having their employees have easy access to work, while being required to still serve areas that are lower income and no direct benefit to them. How to convince them of the latter? Let them install ads, and realize income. Hell, with WiFi on the buses, you could even have touchscreens, and do pay per click ads. I think Google and Yahoo know something about this!
Of course, San Francisco has another approach: make transit free. A bold social experiment, if you combined it with privatized lines like Google's, you just might have a winner.
What do you do when you need employees in a competitive environment, and stock options and salary are really not enough to distinguish you? Well, after you add free gourmet meals, onsite oil changes and car washes, and other lifestyle perks, you look at what the pain points for the Silicon Valley worker are: commuting. And then? If you're Google, you start a luxury bus line.Yes, the Goog is now one of the largest transit system operators in the Bay Area. This New York Times article describes what transit is like, Google style:
"The company now ferries about 1,200 employees to and from Google daily — nearly one-fourth of its local work force — aboard 32 shuttle buses equipped with comfortable leather seats and wireless Internet access. Bicycles are allowed on exterior racks, and dogs on forward seats, or on their owners’ laps if the buses run full.
Riders can sign up to receive alerts on their computers and cellphones when buses run late. They also get to burnish their green credentials, not just for ditching their cars, but because all Google shuttles run on biodiesel. Oh, and the shuttles are free."
WiFi, pets, bikes and comfort? Zero environmental impact? FREE? This is living. The article goes on, later, to describe that similar efforts are done by Cisco and Yahoo. In San Francisco, I see the Williams Sonoma luxury coaches delivering workers to BART or the Ferry, from their HQ by Ghirardelli Square every day.
Now, why not take this one step further? Let companies bid on the right to operate public transit? Essentially, privatize it: companies would get the benefit of always having their employees have easy access to work, while being required to still serve areas that are lower income and no direct benefit to them. How to convince them of the latter? Let them install ads, and realize income. Hell, with WiFi on the buses, you could even have touchscreens, and do pay per click ads. I think Google and Yahoo know something about this!
Of course, San Francisco has another approach: make transit free. A bold social experiment, if you combined it with privatized lines like Google's, you just might have a winner.
