Okay, a happy post...

[Geonz]

... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...e=caple/060724

ESPN says, "what do you mean, you can't ride to the store? Floyd could ride up the *(& Alps on a dead hip! Get out there!"

Yea, I didn't care for his parting comment either... on his idea of who should wear lycra... but maybe it sends the message that "I'm talking to you folks who don't think you look good enough, too." Yea, that's it...

[Bikingmomof3]

Great article, thank you for sharing it.

[Cassandra_Cain]

HMmmm....just read the original article.

I'm sure it will take a while for the many hecklers to stop yelling 'go lance go' on the road.

I really don't know that american success in bike racing has translated into anything whatsoever for everyday, commuting cyclists. I see many, many club riders zoom by on weekends and then drive off in their SUV's with 3 bikes in tow. Is that progress?

Maybe it is just the idea the cycling is a legimitate form of transportation, and not just a sport or leisure activity. That's the big thing I see missing, which probably is one of the things at the root of all the problems we face.

And hey, I'm with you - wear Lycra! Who cares if you need to lose a few pounds, if you are riding, then chances are you will, and being in lycra is a hell of a lot cooler and healthier than sitting in a car~

[Geonz]

If enough of the media starts planting the idea, though.... I know a *lot* of people are in that "sort of thinking about it" stage. The more times it comes to "the top of the mind," the more likely it is to spawn a change in the momentum directions.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Sue - that could be the case, I mean I'm reading (here and there) about more people trying public transit, etc because of gas prices. If more funding is put for that sort of thing (and promoting bicycling) it may well happen. Which would be a great thing indeed.

[Grog]

That was a fun read, thanks Geonz.

My dear partner and I are currently visiting my home town (Montreal - we currently live in Vancouver and it's his first time in Montreal) and I got us a pair of beater bikes to commute to work/school (6 km trip one way) and get bagels (or ice cream) in the evenings. They're in not-so-good shape but they take us places. At first he was not convinced but this morning we used it on our commute for the first time and he had a great time, and admitted it was way nicer than the subway or, of course, the car (which we had to use before for a midnight bagel). I also had a great time, despite the broken spokes and the occasional heel kick I have to give to the stand so it stays out of the way of the pedal.

We both have racy road bikes that we ride nearly every day. But the Road King (his) and the Galaxy (mine) are just as exciting, in their own way.

So yes, commuting on a bike is fun and uplifting. Even if people don't do it every day, a few times a week is great, and has so many benefits.

[KSH]

Thanks for sharing the article!

Maybe it is just the idea the cycling is a legimitate form of transportation, and not just a sport or leisure activity. That's the big thing I see missing, which probably is one of the things at the root of all the problems we face

Well, it is a problem... because cities do not make it so people can ride their bikes to various locations. I would ride my bike more places if I felt I could get there without risking my life on a busy road.

So, I drive to group rides and we ride back roads. I did think about riding to a group ride last Sunday.... but had I done that... I would have gone about 50-60 miles that day...and I wasn't up for that kind of mileage. Whimp. I know.

Now as far as riding my bike to run errands.... that's a whole host of other problems. Where do I put the bike? Do I want to run my errands in my cycling shoes (can't change pedals)? What do I wear when I get there and how do I carry my other clothes (i.e. having to dress for work)? How do I keep my bike from not being picked apart if I lock it up outside.

Yea, it's great to ride a bike and lock it up outside... if it's a cheap bike that you don't mind being stolen, etc.

I could go on and on... but you get the point. And my comments are directed towards the author of the article, not you ladies.

[pooks]

KSH, I understand your concerns about locking up your bike and leaving it outside. And that's IF there's a bike rack or post. The shopping center near me has neither.

I'm working up my nerve to ride my bike to Tom Thumb and rolling it through like a shopping basket, though! (I have a basket on the back of it.)

But -- I do ride to Starbucks and sit outside with my bike.

I do ride to the post office, push it inside with me. I prop it against the wall where I can keep my eye on it while I check the p.o. box and/or stand in line. They have never said a word to me about it -- pro or con -- which is interesting since I'm standing there in helmet, jersey and shorts!

I did try to take my bike into Subway (a large new one) where I hoped to prop it against the wall while I bought something, but the manager very courteously told me that no bikes were allowed inside because they create trip hazards and are dangerous. I was annoyed but I did understand his point and suggested he get a bike rack. He said he'd put in a request to his landlord because he had other cyclists who had to leave their bikes outside in front, as well.

I don't know how much difference any of this makes in the big picture, but for me it means a lot. And so I love the ESPN article!

[Geonz]

Our town's supposedly required to have bicycle parking in the biz district (but not next door in Champaign). I also bring my bike conspicuously into places where there isn't a good place to stick it (a bank that every once in a blue moon I have to go to - but then, last time I did that, one of our local racers came out from the back and gave me friendly grief about just how much that bike wasn't worth ;-)).
I will go the extra mile for a place where I can park - too bad I don't spend enough for that to change biz practices, but the more of us who are out there...

[pooks]

Have you ever had anyone tell you the bike had to stay outside?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Next time I go to my bank I'm going to ask the manager to get a bike rack outside the door- there's plenty of space for one. After that....the supermarket. One step at a time.

[MomOnBike]

You know, most of the time I use the handy-dandy bike-up window at the bank. I stay parked on my bike (in the shade) & haven't had a bit of problem. My bike & I haven't been able to trip the switch at fast food places though. We're too light, I guess. It's the only time I'm too light for something, and I don't apprecite it. Some people are never satisfied.

I guess I'm lucky. Lincoln has a pretty good network of useable trails, and some very bikeable roads. Generally aware drivers, too, though there are some idiots out there. Our bikes have remained unmolested when we go to movies downtown, too.

Therefore DH & I get out and ride places where others drive. And ask for bike racks at those businesses that don't have them. My conceit is that I am helping make transportational cycling more "normal" and mainstream.

Baby steps....

[spokewench]

Tell them, that there are plenty of cyclist who are their clients. That they have every ability to buy and install a decent bike rack which they most probably only have to ask their landlord if they can install it. The landlord usually will not care if the store owner foots the bill!

So, don't let them fob you off and keep up trying to get bike racks. We are trying to the get the City of Flagstaff to put some meat in their ordinances, planning and development so that when new businesses go in, they have to put in a certain percentage of bike parking, with caveats that this parking is in plain site near the front of the building and not hidden in the back where bikes get stolen!