The Economy

[Trek420]

I The sampling of your poll is somewhat skewed. Cycling can be an expensive sport.
The answers you would get from the general populace are far different than those you'll get here.

*1. I've felt with few exceptions this is a DINK sport (double income, not a lot of kids) and a middle class or higher sport to boot. And I fear as a group (the sport) we don't deal with class issues well.

Most of us here are fairly educated and may have options and access to information others don't. Obviously all here have access to internet. which can save a lot.

I mean look at us here. A quick glance at this board and we're debating which Ti frame to get, which week long training camp to go to, this supplement or that one ... I just got off work where I've been talking to folks who debate whether to get gas for their work, food or medicine.

Yes we all have hard choices to make but most here have it fairly good.

If you think you're hurting consider how this is for others with lower income and or fewer options.

One thing I feel strongly about and not to politicize this thread is we have an opportunity which as a country we'd be fools to miss. I forget the article I read, think it was Will Durst, a comedian I like who talked about this well.

We have the chance to both help people and solve the climate crisis. If we don't take this chance we're fools and deserve whatever flood happens. Do I mean public works programs like the WPA that train people and energy retrofit the homes of those who can least afford to do that themselves? Maybe.

Do I mean entrepreneurs and small businesses take it up, make goo-gobs of money and create green jobs? Maybe.

Do I mean that we donate to charities and non-profits that provide bikes for those who can least afford them? Like here's one:

www.rubarbike.org

Maybe

Do we translate all this info, bike safety tips and tricks to other languages and do outreach to other communities including invisible cyclists? Maybe.

Do I mean we have coalition with the disabled public who need safe transit options and public transportation as much or more than we do to create a huge movement that helps us both? Anyone here can be disabled in a heart beat so we should be working together. Maybe.