While on my daily commute home from work last night, I glanced over at the four or five department store MTBs racked outside the Denny's in my neighborhood. (Believe it or not, there isn't a La Quinta anywhere near.) I'm sure the bikes belong to folks whose only means of travel is a bicycle. Perhaps they belong to cooks, the dishwashers or perhaps neighboring loiters looking for a never-ending cup of coffee and warmth...and a good view of downtown.
My point is that my neighborhood (Old Colorado City) is full of car-free individuals who haven't a clue regarding internet forums, bicycle advocacy or bicycling safety for that matter. Why do I feel like they aren't represented just because I can read all of your posts and therefore feel connected to a car-free community? Perhaps these folks aren't interested trying to avoid complications of technology, commerce and car ownership? Am I assuming a kinship where none should exist?
Has anyone ever been involved in something more "grass roots" regarding local car-free community?
Thoughts? Have you ever wondered? Am I in the wrong forum? Do I ask too many questions?
I know you all have some thoughts...
becnal
11-23-05, 11:08 AM
You're assuming lots of stuff there. How do you know those bikes belonged to car-free people?
Heyduke
11-23-05, 11:46 AM
I ride by the Denny's every day (and other establishments with occupied racks) and even when the weather's really bad, there are bikes racked. On such days, I would assume (here I go again) that the owners would drive their cars if they had them.
timmhaan
11-23-05, 11:54 AM
there are many people who rides bikes only because they can't afford a car. they would much rather be driving. those people, while technically part of the car free community, don't have the same ideals that most of us do. so, yeah, i really do think you're expecting kinship where there isn't a basis.
Roody
11-23-05, 12:31 PM
Why are you asking us? Ask "them".
Thor29
11-23-05, 12:35 PM
there are many people who rides bikes only because they can't afford a car. they would much rather be driving. those people, while technically part of the car free community, don't have the same ideals that most of us do. so, yeah, i really do think you're expecting kinship where there isn't a basis.
My thoughts exactly. We CHOOSE to be car free, while most of the people who you see commuting on department store bikes are doing it only because they are poor. Or they have had their drivers license revoked.
It is every American's duty and birthright to own and cherish the two objects that symbolize the USA more than the flag or bald eagle: the car and the TV. Without them, we are nothing.
cerewa
11-23-05, 06:44 PM
they would much rather be driving. those people, while technically part of the car free community, don't have the same ideals that most of us do.
Most of the world's "car-free community" is too poor to have a car, and that's a fact. It ain't no "technicality" that makes them car free. And while they may not share your politics or your joy in riding a bike, I don't think poor people are as different from you as you think.
Bekologist
11-23-05, 09:10 PM
are there a lot of rich people riding bikes in america? I thought most of us Americans are in debt up to our eyeballs, hardscrabble making the nut, working middle class poor.
There should be a heckuva a lot more solidarity among the collared americans - blue, white, greens, and no collards, we're all in this togther.
humancongereel
11-23-05, 09:20 PM
i agree with timhaan, and i'm poor. poor as **** to be exact about my current status. it's got nothing to do with "us" and "them" or "haves" and "have nots", it's about the choice. sure, a person who'd rather drive but got caught with a dui is carfree, but not by choice. start talking about the ideals a lot of us share, and you'll likely get a blank stare and "as soon as i get my license back, i'm getting a car again" or "as soon as i save up some money, i'm ditching the bike". a car-free friend of mine actually told me "as soon as i can, i'm driving again. i hate riding a bike" (wow, i still call her a friend? ha ha). point is, sure, anyone without a car is car-free. fantastic. is there kinship? not unless it's based on choice.
Marge
11-23-05, 09:24 PM
While on my daily commute home from work last night, I glanced over at the four or five department store MTBs racked outside the Denny's in my neighborhood. (Believe it or not, there isn't a La Quinta anywhere near.) I'm sure the bikes belong to folks whose only means of travel is a bicycle. Perhaps they belong to cooks, the dishwashers or perhaps neighboring loiters looking for a never-ending cup of coffee and warmth...and a good view of downtown.
My point is that my neighborhood (Old Colorado City) is full of car-free individuals who haven't a clue regarding internet forums, bicycle advocacy or bicycling safety for that matter. Why do I feel like they aren't represented just because I can read all of your posts and therefore feel connected to a car-free community? Perhaps these folks aren't interested trying to avoid complications of technology, commerce and car ownership? Am I assuming a kinship where none should exist?
Has anyone ever been involved in something more "grass roots" regarding local car-free community?
Thoughts? Have you ever wondered? Am I in the wrong forum? Do I ask too many questions?
I know you all have some thoughts...
the latest issue of Bicycling magazine (widely available at MOST public libraries) had an excellent article
about the "INVISIBLES" people that ride cheap wal-mart bikes because, that's what they can afford.
I urge that anyone reading this thread would read the article. It will change your mind about biking and
gear.
yangmusa
11-24-05, 01:56 AM
It's strange seeing this from the outside. Here in europe being car free is such a non-issue that people don't make it part of their identity, as it seems y'all do over there. Over here it's more like "I don't have a car, so what?". A couple of years ago, I felt pressured by work to buy a car. I agonized over it for ages, much like you guys are agonizing over getting rid of your cars ;) All the cost, inconvenience etc etc. Suffice to say, I didn't keep that car long; it was a mistake and I'm happy to be back with my bike, busses and trains!
humancongereel
11-24-05, 03:13 AM
yes!
i don't know, i was without a car for a while before i even started biking. i think this is a great way. even in a town like boise that's not in the last planned with car-free living in mind, it's still a great way to live.
and that's part of why it's a bigger deal for us over here. the car has just become a cultural thing for us. there's a fantastic documentary called "taken for a ride" about how car manufacturers bought and ruined the major streetcar lines of the country to increase car usage. it's consciously been made harder for us to go without, or at least to look harder. me, i prefer it, as i said, even in a city like boise that just isn't made with anyone who doesn't drive in mind. spread out, sh!tty public transit, etc...