JohnBrooking

Here's a little thought I posted on my blog a few months ago. I'd be interested in hearing reaction to it here.

In many respects, bicycles are the ideal mode of transportation for the age of terrorism. They of course lessen our dependence on petroleum, thus lessening the leverage that terrorists have over us when they sabotage the petroleum infrastructure. But because people can ride their bikes wherever and whenever they want, they avoid the problem of mass transit that requires centralized routes and large numbers of people gathering together, which makes it vulnerable to terrorist attacks (as well as being less convenient). In short, bicycles combine energy independence with the security and convenience of decentralization.

The central fact preventing widespread use of bikes for transportation, of course, is our suburban sprawl. Those who live 20 miles from their job cannot (all) be expected to commute even part of the way on their bike every day. Non-farmers who nonetheless live in the country, miles from the nearest grocery store, will not be using bikes for grocery runs. The sprawl factor is perhaps the biggest obstacle to increased use of bikes for transportation, and is much harder to solve than simply adding more cycling infrastructure.

Obviously, neither cars nor mass transit will ever be completely replaced by bikes, even discounting the sprawl factor. There will always be people whose age or health problems will prevent their use of bikes, and there will always be jobs requiring individuals to cover large distances in relatively short periods of time. For these reasons, there certainly needs to be continued research and investment in alternative fuel sources for personal vehicles, as well as increased investment in mass transit technology and infrastructure. (Increased use of various electronic conferencing tools to replace job travel is another alternative.) But to the extent that the bicycle can be promoted, it is a much cheaper and easier alternative than any of the others, and can only improve our society's ability to provide for the transportation needs of its citizens while minimizing our vulnerability to terrorism or any other kind of supply disruption.

thelung

"The Age of Terrorism?" You have got to be kidding.

Cyclist0094

I'll go along with much of what you said but you missed the obvious role that the bicycle can play with mass transit. I would like to see bicycle friendly routes and paths that feed the rapid transit systems. Many buses already have bicycle racks, many rapid transit trains allow bicycles. Washington DC and NY have this to some extent except that on some systems bicycles are not allowed on trains during peak commute hours.

Brad M

You forgot the part about bike lanes as a tool of the terrorists. By forcing unsafe lane positions on us they are effectively securing petroleum-powered vehicles as the preferred method of personal transport. It's obvious that LAB has been taken over by osama, what with all their anti-american bike lane promotion and all that...

Big Tommy C

So by eliminating mass transit, we remove a target for terrorists.

And then by making everyone move from the suburbs to the cities, we create an even more dense area of living spaces for terrorists to blow up.

timmhaan

the future of bicycling is more geared toward fitness than utility. i will venture to say that as cycling for fitness and recreation increase the suburbs will offer better riding opportunities than the city.

skanking biker

I disagree. DOnt' you know all those stock bike saddles are made in in afganistan?---Osama has been working on this plot for years---"We shall get the infidels by making their rears too sore to fight"

cyclezealot

I now live on two sides of the Atlantic. Mostly on its Eastern shore for now at least. Comparing life on both sides. Cycling in Europe is very much utility oriented along with fitness concerns.
But, just rubbing shoulders with people on the street. This obsession with terrorism. Seems an American thing. Seems biking about Europe. All seem more at peace with oneself and less concern over who are enemies are. When on the bike I think of environmental concerns but can't say Osama bin Laden has crossed my mind.

galen_52657

Exactly.

There is no safety. Terrorism is by definition random acts of violence perpetrated by the oppressed against the oppressor. Either the government catches terrorists or it doesn't. Either Western civilisation responds to the root causes of terrorism or it doesn't.

When all you do all day is think about terrorism and ways to avoid being a victim, the terrorists have accomplished a large part of their mission.

AndrewP

Americans only woke up to the horror of terrorism when it hit them. This is nothing new - the USA has been sponsoring terrorism in South America and SE Asia for the last 100 years. However I agree with many of the thoughts expressed, bikes just make sense for many transport needs.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yeah, That's the ticket. The actions of the OK City bombers, the Madrid bombers, the abortion clinic bombers, the UnaBomber, the Atlanta Olympics bomber, the London subway bombers, the Tokio subway gassers, the WTC bombers, et al. are all acts of the "oppressed against the oppressor". Thanks for your wisdom, Jack Donkey!

jimmuter

And Canada has been squeaky clean. Just ask Hayti.

The Seldom Kill

Heaven forfend that the oppressed might nominate the oppressor.

aadhils

It's already happenned, in the U.S and elsewhere, and it keeps on happening over and over again...

I-Like-To-Bike

Suggestion to the Jack Donkeys: Take your Screeds to the Political, Religous or Foo Forums.

cyclezealot

All this fear, is it an American thing? Maybe we now are spending time in a uniquely blessed area. Was in Paris for New Years. Ride all over Roussillon.
New friends, cyclists. Even with friends on the Paris subways over New Years. ( guess, being naive might have its benefits?) But, comparing conversations with new European friends and now returing to America. There is a difference. People so far seem far more at peace with the world. Crime. Bring it up. People look bewildered. One clue homeowners insurance is far cheaper in Roussillon than California.
Upon entering the rigors of US Customs. Just feels different as soon as you enter.
But, to some degree sort of forgot about terrorism for the past four months. Now it is back. Is it me or are we just lucky.
My cyclists in Iowa live like cyclists in Roussillon?

timmhaan

all the little things add up to create a sense of fear. all the extra police in the subways for example, the national gaurd at the entrance of major train stations, bomb sniffing dogs walking around. not to mention the signs that say "no photography allowed on bridge", or "if you see anything suspious...report it". we're sort of surrounded by it and thus it's hard not to be affected. i have to use a secruity card to get into work now and anytime i want to get to certain areas of the building. it's a different way of living than it was just 5 years ago that's for sure.

I-Like-To-Bike

This cyclist in Iowa does not fear terrorists in general or in specific; but has unbriddled contempt for dingy Jack Donkey Philosophers who make moronic/thoughtless excuses on BF for the likes of the OK City, abortion clinic, Unabomber, etc. criminals. Bicycling advocates? In a pig's butt.

galen_52657

OK shiznit-for-brains...

Every time a violent act is committed is it 'terrorism'

OK city bombers = anarchists
Madrid bombers = Islamic terrorists
abortion clinic bombers = lunatic right
UnaBomber = plain old lunatic
Olympic bomber = I can't remember
London subway bombers = Islamic terrorists
Tokyo subway gassers = cult
WTC bombers = Islamic terrorists

Does anybody think the Arab (and not all Islamic) population of what is now the Jewish state thought the UN mandate creating a Jewish state where none existed and Israel's ensuing armed struggle taking the land were 'terrorism'?

I-like-to-bike, I am sure you would be more than willing to give up your land if the UN so mandated.

sbhikes

I think maybe the OP hit one one of the aspects of cycling that make it an attractive alternative for people who don't have to go too far: that decentralized thing. It's annoying to plan your day around a bus schedule. A bike is a lot like a car: you just get on it and go.

Personally I'm not worried about terrorism. (I think there's more to worry about in regards to the response to so-called terrorism than any actual terrorism.) I'm much more worried about the environment.

Also, in the age of bird flu it certainly doesn't hurt that cycling keeps you healthy in addition to keeping you away from centralized masses of people. (I am not actually worried about bird flu.)

timmhaan

that's kinda how i feel too. i just don't know what the environment will be like in the future...and that is scary. i fear that in our lifetime everything will be managed by humans for humans. i place a huge value in having areas of untouched nature. i'm not so sure that's a value most people hold important.

I-Like-To-Bike

Is this your idea of bicycling advocacy or safety? Take your political rhetoric and hot "stuff" OT opinions to Foo or Politics, where you can find plenty of dingbats who might care about your take on this issue.

Brad M

I can't wait for bird flu. We need a good culling.

chipcom 

+1

galen_52657

The original post dealt with terrorism, which is by it's very nature political. If you don't want to talk about it don't interject your hay-seed sermons into the discussion.