tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post7422307857524478359..comments2023-10-07T07:28:55.729-04:00Comments on Dave Moulton's Bike Blog: Please don’t make the bicycle a political issueDave Moultonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07556183205157714280noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-60667407062612774042008-07-16T22:50:00.000-04:002008-07-16T22:50:00.000-04:00Hi David,Thanks for illustrating your post with th...Hi David,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for illustrating your post with the biggest example of political ignorance I've seen as demonstrated by US Rep. Patrick McHenry. It makes me wonder if someone like him really believes on what he is saying or he's just a party puppet wasting citizen's time and money. Has anyone contacted him or replied to his speech?<BR/><BR/>Sure, the issues of carbon emissions, fuel dependency and cost are great and complex. But all the benefits linked to cycling should bring more light to the folks making decisions on behalf of their constituents.<BR/><BR/>Seeing countries like China, which has a great cycling history, have their bike productions decreased and car manufacturing and sales increased shows that we, as a society, are still going in the wrong direction.<BR/><BR/>In Australia, bike sales are increasing but where I live, Brisbane, the council and state government are still putting great efforts on building more roads (and a huge tunnel now!) to resolve traffic issues and "encourage" people to commute to the city, and their jobs, by car.<BR/><BR/>I don't get it!!!! <BR/><BR/>In regards to driving for fun, sure it is fun. For some, it is also fun to go to fox hunting or “better not go there” type of activity, but they are things that we just have to look at with a contemporary view and tell ourselves that we must choose a different form of entertainment now.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps, it is time for people like us, who mainly uses a bike as a way to stay healthy, achieve personal goals, as a social vehicle and occasional way of transportation, to become a little more political and involved with bike advocacy groups.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/><BR/>AMRAMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06395959850816510923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-48136470333436076812008-07-15T23:26:00.000-04:002008-07-15T23:26:00.000-04:00Man, I wish more people in positions of power coul...Man, I wish more people in positions of power could be this level-headed. Extremely left/right politics have never helped anyone, it DOES just drive people further and further away from each other's cause.<BR/><BR/>Could you run for president?TeamSeagalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05768204327920133994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-72251081393524956162008-07-15T22:00:00.000-04:002008-07-15T22:00:00.000-04:00The civilization we live in right now has been bui...The civilization we live in right now has been building life around the automobile for an entire century. This is not something that is going to change over the course of one summer when gas prices are higher. In almost any North American city, the places people need to get to are just too spread out to make bicycling a practical alternative for most people. Then there's the winter. Anybody who thinks most of the current summer commuters will still be at it over the winter is just dreaming in technicolour. <BR/><BR/>At the same time as some people cut back or try to cut back on car use, cities everywhere are cutting back on transit costs for the same reason - fuel costs. It's counterintuative, but that's the reality. So I wouldn't expect significant change for at least a generation or two. Let's keep in mind that while it's getting more expensive, in terms of liquids we buy in our lives, gasoline is still cheaper than most.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-39639174766393462102008-07-15T18:38:00.000-04:002008-07-15T18:38:00.000-04:00My apologies for omitting a word in my last post.....My apologies for omitting a word in my last post...<BR/>"in order to KEEP his dependency on motor vehicles affordable."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-31843338201369874072008-07-15T18:35:00.000-04:002008-07-15T18:35:00.000-04:00I watched the video of the Representative and didn...I watched the video of the Representative and didn't see an anti-bike rant. What I saw was someone who was afraid to change the way they live and an opportunist that was trying to capitalize on the fear of lifestyle change. If he had any cleverness about him at all - he'd jump onboard and encourage the growth of a cycling population in order to his dependency on motor vehicles affordable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-46011719735115670752008-07-15T14:06:00.000-04:002008-07-15T14:06:00.000-04:00"If we think, everyone in the US is going to dump ..."If we think, everyone in the US is going to dump their cars overnight and start riding a bike, either to save the planet or save America, think again. It is not going to happen."<BR/><BR/>It is already happening. The Washington Post reports that cycling in New York City has increased 75% since the year 2000, and the local authority wants to triple cycling by 2020. Chicago and Portland are also working to increase cycling.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/24/AR2008052401457.html" REL="nofollow">NY Hopes to Ensure Smooth Pedaling for Bike Commuters</A><BR/><BR/>According to bicycle manuafcturer Trek, 40% of all car journeys in the USA are shorter than 2 miles, which takes about 10-13 minutes by bike. So there's a huge potential.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080511/work_bikes.html" REL="nofollow">Gas prices knock bicycle sales, repairs into higher gear</A>Erik Sandblomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411108063216855210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-17415933356464222162008-07-15T12:53:00.000-04:002008-07-15T12:53:00.000-04:00As a bike commuting conservative, I agree wholehea...As a bike commuting conservative, I agree wholeheartedly with the anonymous poster above me. There are a host of reasons why Republicans or socio-economic conservative-leaning-folks should absolutely LOVE bicycles.Noahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15271155305943176738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-54884271269280273562008-07-15T09:55:00.000-04:002008-07-15T09:55:00.000-04:00Bikes represent the best of conservatism... self-r...Bikes represent the best of conservatism... self-reliance, individually fun, financial & physical independence.<BR/><BR/>Of course the liberal interpretation is it is green, can be done in large groups, and symbolizes a counter culture in the USA.<BR/><BR/>Everything becomes political especially when collective societies are stressed by rising costs. I despise the extremes also but the bike will become a symbol for change... let's hope both sides see it the same way. Cycle for positive change!<BR/>JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-8617129353417462632008-07-14T18:41:00.000-04:002008-07-14T18:41:00.000-04:00I was just being tongue-in-cheek. By all means, ev...I was just being tongue-in-cheek. By all means, everyone who can should buy the road bike of their dreams. I rode crappy entry-level bikes for decades. When I was 44, I finally decided to get a good one. I took a lot of flack about wasting sparse family money and all that, but let me tell you, now it's 11 years later, I'm still riding it, and nothing I've ever owned in my life has ever given me as much pleasure as my custom-made lugged Columbus steel and Campagnolo-equipped road bike.<BR/><BR/>On the subject of politics, one thing I'm sure of...<BR/><BR/>No matter party is in power anywhere, cycling is going to take a beating if, given the current mini-bike boom, we don't find a way to teach or compell bozos on bikes to ride properly vehicular style, keep off sidewalks, and obey the laws of the road. It's going to get so bad that eventually, laws will be passed that will restrict not only the goofs, but the experienced roadies as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-8376853267096131332008-07-14T12:14:00.000-04:002008-07-14T12:14:00.000-04:00In the UK, cycling is becoming a bit more 'cool' o...In the UK, cycling is becoming a bit more 'cool' on both sides of the political spectrum. Though it still is occassional cool to rant about irresponsible cyclists. I guess the Green party are most pro-cyling, but it tends to transcend political issuesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-85424537093551634222008-07-14T11:59:00.000-04:002008-07-14T11:59:00.000-04:00I don't think the bike will become a polarized pol...I don't think the bike will become a polarized political issue, but I completely agree with Dave that, where a particular politician is "anti-bike", we shouldn't ascribe his/her bias to a particular party.<BR/><BR/>In New York City, the current Republican/Independent Bloomberg administration is at the forefront of making the City a much more bike-friendly place, with greenways and bike lanes.<BR/><BR/>This is truly a bipartisan issue - someone who believes in drilling in the Arctic nature preserves can still believe in biking as a sometimes alternative to motoring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-68876795133344380632008-07-14T11:57:00.000-04:002008-07-14T11:57:00.000-04:00As my son says "I don't ride my bike because I'm a...As my son says "I don't ride my bike because I'm a damn hippie like you Dad, I ride my bike because I'm a fiscal conservative." I've got riding pals on all ends of the political spectrum. I'm not shy about letting people know my politcs and the reasoning behind my choices but bikes can go left, right and center!<BR/><BR/>Kent PetersonKent Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607372827627527450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-38766764136172136302008-07-14T11:31:00.000-04:002008-07-14T11:31:00.000-04:00Hey now wait a darn minute! I just bought myself a...Hey now wait a darn minute! I just bought myself a second road bike and yes indeed I spent big bucks on it. Of course it was a Parlee, not one of the more well known brands. This was a rare indulgence for me. I am however on the complete opposite side of the political spectrum from Rep. McHenry. I think it is important to note that this man represents the worst of right wing demagoguery. The problem with the GOP is that they have pretty much culled any of their moderate members over the course of the last 25 years or so. <BR/>Dave - thanks for this terrific blog. When Phil did the piece on Jacques Anquitel last night I knew of whom he was speaking because of my readings from your blog. Wonderful wonderful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-91046093397597565542008-07-14T09:06:00.000-04:002008-07-14T09:06:00.000-04:00I would hazard a guess that Republicans on average...I would hazard a guess that Republicans on average probably ride with cyclocomputers more than Democrats do, and they are probably more into the latest Madones, Tarmacs and Cervelos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-92224074131679857682008-07-14T08:45:00.000-04:002008-07-14T08:45:00.000-04:00Sadly, Patrick McHenry, in many ways, DOES represe...Sadly, Patrick McHenry, in many ways, DOES represent America as it really is. Of course it is simple and elegant to use a bicycle if one is able, but this man could not recognize this, he appears before the Union in a suit that was not cut for him. His diction is only slightly better than that of our President. These people only know power and greed. Sadly, they have a barely literate and poorly informed voting base to stir up with this ridiculous position. Ignore them and their rhetoric.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-68313948907040620772008-07-14T08:08:00.000-04:002008-07-14T08:08:00.000-04:00Well put. I'm a Vegetarian and a cycist but I woul...Well put. I'm a Vegetarian and a cycist but I would hardly see myself left wing or environmentalist. Thanks, Dave, for making me feel less guilty. <BR/><BR/>P.S. I put a link to your blog in my blogroll.Grooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05746451980347654639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-63024764720975892732008-07-14T07:52:00.000-04:002008-07-14T07:52:00.000-04:00Great post. It's strange that some people see a cy...Great post. It's strange that some people see a cyclist and think "high and mighty environmentalist", "crazy leftie", etc. It amazes me when cycling and/or cyclists are treated as a controversial issue (the UK media is quite good at this). It's just riding a bicycle for goodness' sake, it's fun, it's convenient and it's healthy and it does cycling no favours to overcomplicate things by bringing politics into the equation.Helhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03299418875040197838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-15112119330820003442008-07-14T07:49:00.000-04:002008-07-14T07:49:00.000-04:00Ken,What I should have said is, “When is commuting...Ken,<BR/>What I should have said is, “When is commuting by car fun?” <BR/><BR/>Many of you may not catch that Nick who commented above is from the Netherlands, where I am sure cycling is non-political. <BR/><BR/>Makes one realize how ludicrous it is to make it a party issue.<BR/>DaveDave Moultonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07556183205157714280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-68828592187980462552008-07-14T07:40:00.000-04:002008-07-14T07:40:00.000-04:00Well I'd agree there are (at least) 2 aspects to c...Well I'd agree there are (at least) 2 aspects to cycling.<BR/><BR/>1. The environmental advantages.<BR/>2. The social advantages - or how the car destroys our community by encouraging out of town shopping centres etc and the associated sprawl.<BR/><BR/>And then there are the sports&social aspects to cycling. But that could be seen as simialr to the sports&social side of motor vehicles unless you include the environment side of things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18899086.post-90117114669258264772008-07-14T07:32:00.000-04:002008-07-14T07:32:00.000-04:00The bicycle, left wing? Oh come now! If so, that m...The bicycle, left wing? Oh come now! If so, that makes me some kind of communist. (It could only happen in America!)Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112462990202280587noreply@blogger.com