How does it work?

Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions/Qomments about getting started with Bikepooling:

Q. What does it cost, and what do I have to do?

a. Nothing, and very little. Sign up for a free account, fill out your profile, and search for rides that seem appealing, whether they're along your route to work, near your grocery store, or just seem entertaining. In the future, Bikepooling with have super-user accounts available for a small fee, offering additional features for hosted rides, local bike shop (LBS) workshops and excursions.

Q. I need to carry a laptop, paperwork, textbooks and a change of clothes. There's no way I can do that on a bike.

a. Completely untrue! By using panniers, baskets and racks, and the right bags, you can carry a surprising amount. More accurately, thanks to the laws of Physics (explained here), your bike can carry a surprising amount, and you can use minimal work to push it along. Anecdotally, I'm a professional IT nerd and a full-time student, and I've carried several classes worth of textbooks, a laptop (plus PDA and acoutrements), lunch, extra clothes, and my travel French Press (fully loaded), almost daily.
Just don't shove it all into one bag, or you'll have a hard time breathing and will exhaust yourself!

Q. I'm severely out of shape. Is the logo and lycra crowd going to make fun of me?

a. Probably not, and even then, only if you joined their ride. When searching, find rides that have a low stamina rating to get the slower, less hilly and completely un-intimidating rides. Even those of us in good shape like a calm commute in the morning, so don't expect some Tour de France group is going to leave you in the dust -- more likely, you'll get in shape while sticking right alongside them.