threefingerjoe
Über Member
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
I live in USA, where, for the most part, the bicycle is considered a child's toy. Most adults who ride, put the bike on a car, like skis or a surfboard, and drive somewhere to play with it. For those of us who use the bike as serious transportation, people look at us as if we had 3 eyes, or something. When I ride to one of my choir practices, (a local civic chorus, and a German men's chorus), people say, "You ride ALL THE WAY UP HERE? At NIGHT???" (It's only 7 miles, and night riding is very pleasant).
I'm really fortunate, that within 6 miles of my house, I can ride to my doctor, dentist, barber, optomotrist, mother's house, in-laws' house, and 2 shopping centers. Whenever I have to go anywhere, my first thought is, "Can I do it on the bike?" I've borrowed tools from work, and ridden with items such as a pipe-threader taped to the rack, and carried such things as hedge-trimmers and tropical fish. My car sometimes sits for 3 weeks. In fact, I rarely buy a full tank of petrol, as I worry about it going stale and clogging the fuel injection system.
The bicycle is a wonderful machine! Go to a parade, or festival, and you can ride right up to the event! Walk it through the crowd, if need be, and when you are ready to go home, you have your transportation right with you! No need to walk 2 miles back to your car. (an added "plus"...no fear of losing a motor vehicle licence if you have imbibed a little too much. I'm not condoning this, mind you! ;-) )
I'm really fortunate, that within 6 miles of my house, I can ride to my doctor, dentist, barber, optomotrist, mother's house, in-laws' house, and 2 shopping centers. Whenever I have to go anywhere, my first thought is, "Can I do it on the bike?" I've borrowed tools from work, and ridden with items such as a pipe-threader taped to the rack, and carried such things as hedge-trimmers and tropical fish. My car sometimes sits for 3 weeks. In fact, I rarely buy a full tank of petrol, as I worry about it going stale and clogging the fuel injection system.
The bicycle is a wonderful machine! Go to a parade, or festival, and you can ride right up to the event! Walk it through the crowd, if need be, and when you are ready to go home, you have your transportation right with you! No need to walk 2 miles back to your car. (an added "plus"...no fear of losing a motor vehicle licence if you have imbibed a little too much. I'm not condoning this, mind you! ;-) )
