Comments on: Cultural Change

By: Lovely Bicycle!

Lovely Bicycle! — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:30:35 +0000

Yes, I am an “academic who bikes” : )

Hence the “argumentativeness as mode of conversation”.

By: Andy Cline

Andy Cline — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:15:56 +0000

Lovely… A professor? You know what that means? I should move your link to my Academics Who Bike section

Thanks for those picture suggestions.

By: Lovely Bicycle!

Lovely Bicycle! — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:49:44 +0000

The occasional cracks are definitely there! We were visiting my parents earlier this evening and my father surprised me by commenting that he noticed more bikes and fewer cars around - then started asking me about the lighting set-up on my bike, in a tone as normal as if he were talking about car components. He is not a cyclist himself, not at all. Thanks for your offer to use my photos. I actually have surprisingly few good ones that feature both an appropriate bike and an appropriate outfit. Instead, I suggest this beautiful photo of Dottie from Let's Go Ride a Bike - I am certain she will be pleased if you use it, as long as you give her credit. For variety, here is one of me as well. Dottie is a lawyer and I am a university professor, and these are our real bicycles and outfits.

By: Andy Cline

Andy Cline — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:26:29 +0000

Lovely… Agreed. But I do think it is important from time to time to mark the progress by pointing out the occasional cracks in the car culture. There’s a certain persuasive power to being part of a trend if one can spin the cracks positively.

Would you like to suggest a picture to replace this one? Perhaps one of yours — for which you will be receive high praise and frequent links when I use it

By: Lovely Bicycle!

Lovely Bicycle! — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:24:37 +0000

We can’t expect people to not regret losing something to which they have been emotionally and psychologically attached since childhood. In mainstream American culture, cars have been associated with everything from wholesome family time to raunchy post-prom sex. Detachment from these associations must take place gently and, as odd as that may sound, people must be allowed to morn.

This is just one reason why I think that focusing on the negative aspects of cars, or on the decrease of car ownership popularity/feasibility is actually not the way to go; it makes people feel sad. Instead, let the car memories fade away naturally by focusing on the positive aspects of other alternatives. New associations will be formed – associations between commuter trains and romance, between bicycles and fun, etc. – that will become more important than the old car associations.

As for the Velorbis model – Funny that others seem to have negative reactions to this woman, as I never liked her either. I generally like looking at pretty models on bicycles, just not her. Maybe it’s the facial expressions or the fact that her “professional attire” is often a size too tight and exposes her midriff – which makes the whole thing seem awkwardly posed to me.

There are several websites including Let’s Go Ride a Bike, Girls and Bicycles, and Riding Pretty, that have lots of real photos of beautiful young women cycling.