Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland?

u are all going to think i'm as mad as a hatter with this.

i have started to notice bikes, which seem to have one frame on top of another. the rider is then above car roof height.

has anyone else seen these. or is it just someone in wroclaw having fun with a welding kit.

Don't worry, we already thought that.

Like this?:



Or like this?
flickr.com/photos/johnwilliamsphd/3288928346

that's exactly it.

i want one. i think they're great.

If you stop at a red light, how do you maintain balance?
Normally you put one foot on the ground, I don't think that's possible, or is it?

I'll have a guess - does it pivot downwards as speed decreases or do you pull a lever to lower you as you brake?

Since when have cyclists done that....?

So as you peddle you raise off the ground, hmmm maybe, it would make cycling harder as you'd be dealing with two forces.


And jack it up again when taking off, would that not take a long time?

I am sure some clever inventor has solved the problem but just wondering.


:) as I was forming the question, I did change it from "when" to "if" for that reason.

Nice to see Poland building so many new bicycle paths, it's a great means of transport.

And on the topics of bicycles, in Krakow it's become very popular to hire (state owned?) bikes at various bike stations

Can,t see any way this thing pivots...?

If it lowered when you stopped , the chain and all the brake cables would go slack and get tangled up....

maybe when you stop you just fall in a heap....?

if the bike had a fixed wheel it might be easier to control. the bike in the second picture (above) doesn't seem to have one though.

would u guys have a go on one of them ?

I would have a go on it maybe...but looks to far to fall of the dam thing to me...

Its bad enough falling off a big horse...!

It seems its easy to start like on a penny farthing
youtube.com/watch?v=N_izWcyvl2E

Not so easy stopping
youtube.com/watch?v=K5q6v9Dt2KI

Of course! I'd have a go on anything, I am such a slut.


"Easy" like a penny farthing? Those things don't look easy, there is a reason they're redundant.
Good youtube posts, looks like fun until you have to stop.

I suppose you'd just look for lampposts, giraffes and tall people to hold onto when you stop at the lights.
Are there many giraffes in Wroclaw?

Yes of course, starting does looks relatively easy though. I would have a go, only in a field or a large padded cell.

I take it these people ride these bikes just be be a bit different...??

or is there a practical reason for them , other than a fondness for hospital casualty departments....?

Fun?
To make sure there are enough giraffes in Wroclow?
To look down on others?
To give cross eyed people a headache?
To reach the balcony of their mistress'?
To impress the ladies...

That's what I was thinking. I wonder if someone own's a patent on this very trendy bicycle?

You know those safety flags on kids' bikes? Makes them "taller" and easier to see to other traffic. I'd imagine those double-deckers are more visible to others, wouldn't you say? Being a biker I thought you'd sympathize. Don't know how effective this safety aspect is but I want a double-decker truck to hover above everyone else on the road. :)

Yes i agree that a tall bike would be much more visible to other road users , but thats more than cancelled out by the fact you are likely to suffer muliple injuries every time you come to a halt on the dam thing...!

I mean , what happens when you come to a halt in traffic between two cars , do you just rest your foot on the car next to you , or fall off on hs roof...? neither of these things is going to make you very popular....!

I am sure there are better ways to make a cycle more visible....?