Bike questions

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of bike questions. I'm putting aside my fear of Boston drivers and want to do more biking, which is a big step because after spending time in Amsterdam where there are dedicated bike lanes with their own traffic signals and a very highly-evolved set of rule that are for the most part obeyed, I'm a little trepiditious. (But all is not paradise- they stupidly allow motorized scooters in the bike lanes as well and there is a lot of conflict between the people-powered and the engine-powered.)

1> I bought a new lock for my bike. It's a Bell that has a Kevlar-coated cable and a U-lock. Is this a decent lock set-up? I'm a little concerned about the U-lock, as the housing is made out of plastic. (I am assuming there is steel underneath) Are any of you screaming in horror or will I be pretty OK with it?

2> Do any of the local shops install the rear wheel locks that are permanently attached to the frame? In the Netherlands, most bikes have them and folks use a combination of them and cable/chain w/ U-locks. Even then, there are still thefts, if you can believe it.

3> I am looking for European-style wide curved handlebars. I currently have the straight mountain bike style and am looking to switch them out for the far more comfy wide bars.

TIA

Comments

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Any motorized cycle with an engine smaller than 50cc is legally termed a "motorized bicycle" and allowed to use bicycle lanes (but not sidepaths!) in Massachusetts. That includes things like scooters and mopeds but not motorcycles. So, yes, Vespas and the like are allowed in bike lanes in Boston and Cambridge, just not on the Davis bike path or the Minuteman or other segregated paths.