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our late 50's, early 60's.  definitely NOT bike material

Hm. I remember quite a number of old people on the bike roads in Germany.

They only biked slower.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Sat Jul 9th, 2005 at 11:56:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]
not "old"..but the problem with america is the bigger area to traverse, the lack of safe bike lanes and the damned fools on the roads.  in europe, i remember from the last time i visited, there is actually curtesy - not murderous intent.

it is hard enough avoiding the idiots in a metal casing, to ride a bike (even a motorbike) is extremely hazardous here.

in california, between cell phonitis and hostile drivers, one takes one's life in his/her hands each time the vehicle rolls.  

nope, i'd rather fall off my horse - at least, i can crawl back on and he'll take me home - on the roads, i'm just another speed bump.

by edrie on Sat Jul 9th, 2005 at 04:17:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Perhaps the suggestion was that in the long run, bikes are a good approach to local transportation. Obviously if you have to ride on a highway or crowded city street without bike lanes, it's not going to work. But over time as these problems are resolved the situation will get better.

There are tricycles built on bicycle principles that avoid the balance problem--as I'm sure you know.

Another issue is "what about cold in winter and hot in summer?" An obvious solution: Covered bike paths. Lots less expensive than streets...

by asdf on Sat Jul 9th, 2005 at 06:14:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
from nyc, i travelled exclusively by bike - loved it.  did 35 miles the first day out - and my legs were total jelly when i got home - couldn't wait to go back out.

the roads were snowy, the weather crisp (translate: friggin' cold) and it was incredible!  in my healthier days (pre two episodes broken back and one car wreck with permanent c6/t1 nerve damage, i loved biking.  if i were physically capable now, i would still love to bike path it - actually went to get my bike back on road several years ago, but someone rearended the rv and bent the wheel - looking back, probably a VERY good thing...

for the young, for the fit - it is incredible.  for those with safe places to ride, awesome - for those confined to areas where roads aren't friendly to cyclists, it is a damned shame.

i would love to bike around europe - my sister did it and had a ball - but for biking around california - i prefer having a bradley - it is a wee bit safer!

by edrie on Sun Jul 10th, 2005 at 03:54:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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