more and more bikes out there.....

[mimitabby]

our invisible cyclists are a fast growing population for sure! every time i see a new one I smile or say hi.
I want them to know that THEY are US.

[GLC1968]

I had to run a quick errand from work by bike today (middle of the morning). A woman called to me as I was riding and she was walking on the sidewalk. She wanted to know what kind of bike I was riding and how much I paid for it. She said it looked so cute and that I made it look easy to ride. I said it was easy! Unfortunately, I had to explain that my bike is an old Schwinn mixte from the 70's that I bought off craigslist. She asked if I did my own work on it and I said yes but that any bike shop could also have done it. She wanted to know about the maker, the gearing and the comfort of the bike, so I got the idea she had already been shopping around. She said she was going to check out craigslist this afternoon.

No one has ever asked me about my road or touring bike. Just the cute little upright, basket on the front, mixte gets questions. The new cyclists out there are doing it for purpose...and I think that's a GREAT thing.

Unfortunately, it was about 2 hours later when it dawned on me that I'm planing on selling this bike in a month and I should have gotten her name! Duh!

[Susan126]

Same here south of Seattle . . . I see a lot more bikes lately! I saw a bunch yesterday! It's great!

[7rider]

Same here south of Seattle . . . I see a lot more bikes lately! I saw a bunch yesterday! It's great!

I saw bike traffic jams in Seattle!!! A line of about a half dozen cyclists heading up a hill, stacked up and unable to pass the slowest one in front because of the line of cars on their left.

But I've seen an increase of cyclists along my route in, too. All sorts - roadies, invisibles, men, women, mtb's, fixies. I used to do my entire route without seeing another bike commuter...now I always see at least some.

[Grog]

More people on bikes also means that when these people will be driving their cars (because they just won't stop driving totally), they will have a lot more understanding and respect for the cyclists.

That is invaluable.

[Fredwina]

I've noticed that the bike slots on the train are usually full.
and it's good for the bike biz, too, The local paper ran an article about how Bike shops are experiencing good sales w/ utility and electric bicycles.

[Crankin]

I have noticed it, too. My area always has a lot of recreational cyclists and some very serious roadies train around here, too. Not only are there more of them (this has been increasing over the last couple of years), but a lot more people doing local errands on bikes. My husband said in the past 2 weeks he has seen a huge increase in commuters on his way to work. We have also had a couple of articles on cycling to save on gas in the Boston Globe. Yesterday there was an article on a school for adults who were learning to ride for the first time.
I just hope these new riders follow the rules of the road. Our neighboring town now has signs up warning riders to follow the rules and ride single file (which is the law here).