Comments on: Cyclists Are Rich, Bicycling Is Dangerous

By: Brian Hubert

Brian Hubert — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:27:54 +0000

Well done. It really captured much of what I see here in New England. Cities with folks who intentionally scar their bikes for various reasons. Using their bikes as a natural extension of their human experience. The ‘Burbs full of the city’s commuters who furiously ride their bikes in circles on ancient railways. Many of the burb bikes are worth more than 6 month’s rent for a modest city apartment. Not to mention the cost of those fancy sole-less shoes.

It is funny how folks here in the burbs will use a bike for ‘exercise’ but would never consider using the bike to go 1 mile into town to get a hair cut. Better jump into the Suburban for that. Need to rush to and fro so we can save an hour so we can ride for 55 minutes on the bike path before jumping back into the Suburban to go to soccer practice 2 miles from the house. Strange creatures.

Again, well done.

By: z

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:25:38 +0000

I’m planning to study in Houston or Dallas. Are they safe (murder, death etc)?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:45:08 +0000

Wow, another great article, Alexander. I’m really surprised people are so averse to bicycling. Here in Tokyo, bikes are almost a necessity for getting around. Between bikes and the excellent train system, there is no need to drive here.

Also, when i lived in Seattle, I knew people who biked to work, and it was generally respected. I think people on the west coast (maybe east coast as well…?), and in some other countries are ahead of the curve here.

I think eventually people might change their minds, but it will obviously take some people longer than others.

Very interesting.

By: Andy Cline

Andy Cline — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:42:27 +0000

Duncan… Yes, it’s a bit more civilized.

By: Duncan Watson

Duncan Watson — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:34:14 +0000

I am a cycle commuter in the Seattle area and one of things I notice is how much interaction I have with the neighborhoods I ride through.

I talk to the guy jogging with his dog, I wave to the commuters leaving for work, I wave with the retiree who walks every day. I also talk to the veteran who holds signs over the overpass as I come by. I talk to people at bus stops, I wave a people in their yard.

It is much more human. I see the same people day after day and feel much more connected to areas I ride through. This is a different experience from using transit where I only socialize on the bus, or at stops, and very different from driving where I don’t socialize at all.