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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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 Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: Late Once: One Time Too Many |
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So, I'm tired of taxis and public transit.
Actually, I can't get to my normal job by public transit, and walking takes 30 minutes, which is thirty minutes too long in summer heat or pouring rain. The oddness of my school is that a local bus would only shave ten minutes of walking, and would add twenty minutes of time.
I was late for a special function today at a different location--because of a lack of taxis. Forty-five minutes waiting. I gave myself thirty, and yes I tried call taxis.
Anyway, I don't care about what people think about being late for work or even what they think about public transit and taxis. What I really want to know is, can a father of two drive a motorbike in a major Korean city in good conscience? |
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Bicycle? |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| OnTheOtherSide wrote: |
| Bicycle? |
Just worried about sweating. At least a motorbike would allow a rain suit and I wouldn't die of sweating on the ride up the hill. |
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I ride my bicycle everywhere. A little cologne and deoderant is all you need. And make sure you aren't overdressed while riding. Beating the sweat isn't too hard. It gets you in great shape too. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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You ride a bike in the rain and get the "Butt stripe" up your back.
Why not ask your school to get someone to car pool you in the mornings. There's GOTTA be at least 1 teacher that lives close to you. |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| There's GOTTA be at least 1 teacher that lives close to you. |
I think there is. I just find it stressful to be committed to a pick-up time. Usually if I'm running a little late I still get here on time with a taxi. My own two wheels would put definite stability on my commute.
I'm leaning towards a bicycle, but the sidewalks near my place are so crowded with students. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject: Re: Late Once: One Time Too Many |
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| marlow wrote: |
So, I'm tired of taxis and public transit.
Actually, I can't get to my normal job by public transit, and walking takes 30 minutes, which is thirty minutes too long in summer heat or pouring rain. The oddness of my school is that a local bus would only shave ten minutes of walking, and would add twenty minutes of time.
I was late for a special function today at a different location--because of a lack of taxis. Forty-five minutes waiting. I gave myself thirty, and yes I tried call taxis.
Anyway, I don't care about what people think about being late for work or even what they think about public transit and taxis. What I really want to know is, can a father of two drive a motorbike in a major Korean city in good conscience? |
If you are smart enough to be asking that question, you already know the answer.
What I can't understand is that in a "major city" your school isn't serviced by any bus routes. If your school placed you in that apartment, that's really poor and you should ask to be moved as a 30minute walk is an unreasonable commute. (if public transport isn't an option).
Additionally, I'm really surprised that in a "major city" you had to wait 45mins for a taxi, I've been in small towns and never had to wait more than 10minutes...far shorter in major cities. Is this a regular occurance, or was it a once-off?
Finally, If moving isn't an option, perhaps look at getting a car. You can get a really cheap one second-hand (I've seen some on these forums for as low as 500K won) and that will atleast give you a lot more safety than a motorbike. Not to mention, that with a family of 4, a car can definitly come in useful at times. |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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| In 5 years driving a motorbike in Korea, I've only been run over once. You'll be fine. |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| Pyongshin Sangja wrote: |
| In 5 years driving a motorbike in Korea, I've only been run over once. You'll be fine. |
Run Over Once: One Time Too Many  
Are cars really safer here, or are motorbike deaths skewed because so many idiots are riding without helmets? Actually, I can imagine paralytic neck injuries helmet or no.
I think I'll go bike and sidewalk. I really don't want a car, as the more I spend here the longer I need to stay here. I wouldn't want my kids in the car with me anyway. |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:21 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Are cars really safer here, or are motorbike deaths skewed because so many idiots are riding without helmets? |
Yes and yes. |
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shifty
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:20 am Post subject: |
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You will sweat on a bicycle, but it's the kind that doesn't pong.
Get a bike, maybe get knocked over, maybe not. Kind of thing that keeps you grounded and closer to all things that really matter. |
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tfunk
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| How about electric bike or roller blades? You'd be the cool teacher. |
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dingo_man
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:47 am Post subject: |
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| just buy a scooter...you wont sweat and can ride it on the footpath if you're worried about the danger on the roads. You can pickup a 2nd hand one cheaply. |
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Bryan
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:06 am Post subject: |
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Bicycles have just as many or more fatalities as motorcycles, per km traveled, in North America. I imagine it's close to the same in Korea. So I don't understand why people are saying to use a bike. You can get run over in a bike very easily since they are hard for cars to see and quick traveling. Most drivers don't check for them.
Ask for housing allowance or to move. |
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teachergirltoo
Joined: 28 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Several of the Korean teachers, the other native teacher, and myself all ride bikes to work. Many bring a backpack with their change of clothes inside or throw one of those clear plastic suits over their clothes for the ride. From speaking to everyone we all ride on the sidewalks and just ding our bells excessively when we need people to get out of the way. The same as many other areas in Korea, our alleys, and sidewalks are congested with kids, but they know how to scoot to the side when they hear dinging. |
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