Home > Fit City > Archives > 2012 > February > 07 > Entry
Time for a Dreamslide
If bikes roll, Dreamslides sashay.
I jumped aboard one of the two-wheeled contraptions, imported from France, yesterday when Miguel Ferguson dropped by the newspaper offices, proud as a papa to show it off.
Ferguson, a 46-year-old professor of public policy in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas, ordered a pair of the ‘Slides last year. Now he zips around town on the scooter-like vehicle, garnering admiring glances — and looks of confusion — from onlookers.
Ferguson bought his Dreamslides because he was tired of pumping gas into a car. “I realized I was part of the problem,” he says.
He considered getting a bike and riding it to work, but says his knees bother him when he pedals. Not so with the Dreamslide, he says, which generates power not by a circular pedal stroke but through short, no-impact running steps.
“I think they’re great. A real alternative to a car,” he says.
He showed me how the neck and handlebars fold down into a compact size, so he can roll or even carry his Dreamslide onto a bus. “It’s Cap Metro friendly,” he says.
Three days a week, he rides from his South Austin home to the UT campus about 7 miles away. He stands, doesn’t sit, as he cruises along. Besides saving him gas money, it’s helped get him in better shape.
I had to try it, so I climbed aboard, placing my feet on the shoe-shaped plates, stepping down and engaging the independent cranks and variable lever arms.
It seemed awkward at first. I kept wanting to sit down, but the Dreamslide has no seat. It felt a little unstable at first, too. That feeling passed as I figured out how to sway with the Dreamslide, shifting my body weight as I slid along.
There are no gears, although Ferguson jokes that it’s got two — the left leg and the right leg. And Ferguson says he avoids big hills when he’s on his Dreamslide.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me, so I can’t see this as a daily commuter. Another issue? No place to install a rack, so I could haul all the stuff I need to shuttle back and forth from home to work to pool every day. You’d have to wear a backpack. That’s uncomfortable in the summer heat.
Still, I like the ingenuity of the thing, and I like the commitment to taking another car off the streets.
Ferguson is so enthusiastic about his Dreamslide that he helped persuade Bill Kasson Yamaha on South Congress to start carrying them. They sell for about $1,600.
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By Melissa
February 7, 2012 1:14 PM | Link to this
Although I agree that the no gears thing can be a downside for people with long commutes the design of the bike is more for short ones. I have tried Dr. Ferguson’s bike and thought that it would be great for the professional who has a commute that is too far to walk but seems excessive to drive. Also the design of the bike is perfect for individuals who want to wear a dress or a skirt but also don’t want to flash passing cars and pedestrians. So, no, this bike isn’t for everyone but it should definitely be a bike type that should be considered for people looking into buying something. I would also suggest this for college students to get around UT’s large campus, however, the price is a little high for a student’s budget.
By Janice Friesen
February 7, 2012 1:28 PM | Link to this
I think this is an amazing bike. Thanks for writing about it. It’s Really great for fitting into a car if you need to take it with you somewhere.
By Tiffany
February 7, 2012 3:07 PM | Link to this
I haven’t yet tried the dreamslide, but am always jealous when I have to trek 15-20 minutes across campus in the heat, and Dr. Ferguson shows up in about 5. It seems so convenient as he can just fold it up and bring it into a building or classroom. My husband tried it once and thought it was a fun way to get around- not a substitute for a road bike, but definitely for commuters.
By Lee Lever
February 7, 2012 10:12 PM | Link to this
Cool bike! I did a couple of laps around a parking lot with it and wanted to take it home with me. The full foot pedal feels a little different than a conventional bike.
By Little Guy
February 8, 2012 1:42 PM | Link to this
I tried the Dreamslide when I was in Austin. A friend of mine has one and loves it. I wish I could buy one where I live. Many people have called me “Little Guy” all my life, but on the Dreamslide I feel big and strong. Try it and you’ll buy it :-)