Commuting by bike is against the Constitution

[KnottedYet]

At first, I laughed.

And then I felt like crying. Cuz this nut is in the lead in the gubernatorial race.

http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15673894

Bicycle infrastructure is anti-American, and in fact is an attempt by the UN to take over the world.

[JennK13]

I love that this comes out today, they day current Gov. Ritter will stand on the steps of our state Capitol with Lance Armstrong to announce Tour of Colorado.

[Trek420]

Yep, it's obviously a slippery slope to the downfall of civilization

If you let people ride safely, legally, well and looking faaaaabulous in their TE gear (check it out, there's FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100) at first yeah, sure they say they love only one lifetime steel lugged bike. They're going to want multiple bikes. And they may want to ride with a Wald basket or Burley dog trailer and then animals are involved.

And think of the children; do you want your children seeing that riding a bike is acceptable? "don't look son, those are cyclists. Quick, get back in the SUV, have a slurpie and some chips. I'll turn on the DVD. What? Your sister doesn't want to watch that movie? She has her own screen on the back of your Mom's seat. It's only 2 blocks, we'll be home soon".

And it's not just your kids. The children of cyclists get teased on the playground because their parents wear those funny pants and are fitter, look younger regardless of their real age and are just plain healthier than the other parents.

[7rider]

What about MY rights and MY personal freedom??
Driving a car isn't the only expression of freedom in this country.
Hallmarks of the conservative side have long been self determination and self sufficiency (it's that whole "nanny state" fear). My determination to ride a bike - and not rely on my motor vehicle (which I own and CHOOSE to leave parked in the driveway) should be applauded by the T-partiers and their ilk. They are just another side of the Man shoving his views down my throat.
This guy goes beyond "kooky" into the realm of dangerous paranoia.

[Tri Girl]

He's serious??? Oh my- that's scary.

"Maes said in a later interview that he once thought the mayor's efforts to promote cycling and other environmental initiatives were harmless and well-meaning. Now he realizes "that's exactly the attitude they want you to have."
"This is bigger than it looks like on the surface, and it could threaten our personal freedoms," Maes said.

"At first, I thought, 'Gosh, public transportation, what's wrong with that, and what's wrong with people parking their cars and riding their bikes? And what's wrong with incentives for green cars?' But if you do your homework and research, you realize ICLEI is part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty," Maes said


I know, right? Just think of the horrid effects on the planet if we commute and work together with other nations to do right by our planet. Think of the anti-consumerism that will abound if we buy bikes and gear related to it... oh the horrors!!!


I still don't get how CO is a red state, BTW.

[PamNY]

Oh my goodness. This is priceless. Scary, but priceless.

[Thorn]

And at the same time the CDC releases the current obesity rates (1% increase in the last 2 years), but, quoting the CDC....

If you go to Denver and outside of Denver, there are bike trails, walking trails, and they're heavily used, suggesting that Colorado has more of a culture of physical activity than other states," the CDC's Dr. William Dietz said

So, again, what is the problem with being a global citizen and getting on the bicycling band wagon?

[[obesity article: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0318532120100803 ]

[Tri Girl]

well my state (OK) could take a lesson from CO, because when the CDC came out with their findings, my state is one of the 9 worst states in the country for obesity. We have 30% obesity, where the other 41 states in the union are only at 15% or less. I'm so proud (not!)

Healthiest is CO and Washington DC. Nicely done, CO.

[uforgot]

I love that this comes out today, they day current Gov. Ritter will stand on the steps of our state Capitol with Lance Armstrong to announce Tour of Colorado.

And OUR governor killed the Tour of Missouri, which Colorado is now jumping on. My vacation will NOT be in Missouri any more if I can help it. I can't wait for the next election. I think Mr. Nixon is going to be surprised at how many Missourians are on bikes. Not just Belgians...(His words, not mine. Thanks for being here today when you could have been out watching Belgians ride bicycles.ha ha ha).

Enjoy the tour. It is something else!

[uforgot]

And think of the children; do you want your children seeing that riding a bike is acceptable? "don't look son, those are cyclists. Quick, get back in the SUV, have a slurpie and some chips. I'll turn on the DVD. What? Your sister doesn't want to watch that movie? She has her own screen on the back of your Mom's seat. It's only 2 blocks, we'll be home soon".

I'm dying here...I needed this laugh.

[indigoiis]

The interesting thing is, there is no one identifiable *thing* that they are against, exactly. What is their argument? Are they arguing that cities would somehow sign themselves out of the country and become part of the UN? Um, it's not exactly that easy.

[ny biker]

I would like someone to ask him exactly what makes the U.N. so evil.

[OakLeaf]

Eh, you blue state peeps are so naïve. We've been hearing this stuff for ten years at least...

I still don't get how CO is a red state, BTW.

Seriously? Most of the economy from mining and ranching? Those foofoo enclaves are a very small part of the state, just like in Idaho.

[PamNY]

Here's an irony: Our greenway/bike path is interrupted by the UN. You have to move onto an actual avenue to get past it.

I'm sure this guy would be thrilled if he knew that.

[denda]

I'm SO excited about the Tour of Colorado. I live close enough to go watch that! Yea!