We hydrate. We need bathrooms. But our Bromptons stay by our sides, and we are (quite reasonably) loathe to leave them out of sight.
No problem. “Disability stalls” are good for diverse people: someone who is temporarily in a walking cast; anyone who uses a wheelchair; parents with a horde of small children; people wearing enormous coats; anyone using a stroller; and Brompton cyclists.
Basil fits anywhere a full-sized stroller can. Some public bathrooms are so commodious (heh, heh) that it’s possible to take a picture of a Brompton without even showing the fixtures:
Over-sized stalls. Architecture for the common good, and the uncommon cyclist.
4 replies on “Bromptons and Bathrooms”
Haha, I like this post. It’s true, sometimes you just gotta go when you’re out with your Brompton. Here in Belgium, large bathrooms for the disabled are rare, and I’ve had to manipulate my Brompton into some fairly tight spaces, and often up or down stairs, and I always feel a little strange in doing so! But if the choice is leaving my bike unattended, I’ll take it with me, strange looking or not!
Actually, I’m surprisingly glad to read this, Will B! I’m hoping to do at least one long “event” (an all day affair) which will feature “port-a-potties” (portable structures for construction sites, etc,. where there is no real plumbing). As they are quite compact, I’m expecting a challenge. Inspired by your comment, I think I’ll start practicing hauling Basil into small stalls! (Hmmm, this may call for another post . . . )
Like you, I keep my B right by my side, odd or not. Somehow riding a B feels more like “companion biking” than mere cycling, anyway!
Interesting that there are few bathrooms for the disabled in Belgium. We have gone a bit mad for these things here, though, as I noted in the post, the benefits extend well beyond the original intention. Also, we’ve got a lot more “new” construction (you know, newer than 200 years ago) here. and the mindset (good and bad) that comes along with that. Makes a difference — for better and worse.
Very humorous! And daring. I don’t believe I’ve seen a toilet in any blogs before. I’ve been using a lot of accessible stalls lately since I’ve been on crutches but hadn’t considered bringing my Brompton in one before but it’s a thing to consider now that I see how nicely they fit. It was a difficult decision to allow myself to leave mine locked up outside on campus but I use a very good lock, plus a second just to slow down and irritate any would thief. Perhaps I’m foolish though and should follow your lead.
Yeah, I guesss toilets aren’t the usual topic du jour, but on the other hand, where would we be without them?
I hope your B will be just fine with your locks (sounds as if it’s going well so far, for sure!), but one reason I wanted a Brompton was so that they wouldn’t be an issue. I’m on trains a lot, and really didn’t relish the idea of carrying around pounds and pounds of locks along with my bike!