Foo - Cyclist Grammar

So I was considering ordering a bicycle bumper sticker. I would like it to convey that my bicycle equals one fewer car on the roads. But what is the correct grammar for such a statement? The ever popular "one less car"? "One car fewer"? "One car the less"? Another combination?

Where do you plan on displaying this bumper sticker?

^^ Priceless! But USA Zorro does raise a good question! ha ha How about "I'm not part of the energy problem!"

Una bicicleta menos.

just get a "zero emissions vehicle" tag from a honda or something.

car--

just get a "zero emissions vehicle" tag from a honda or something.

Hmmm... I'm not buying the zero emmissions!! :eek:

Here's a serious answer gleaned from a look at my ancient copy of The Careful Writer (1977) by NY Times editor Theodore Bernstein: "One Fewer Car." But that sounds more than quaint. Only a few old grammar farts like me would even get it. Nowadays something like "Cars Suck" might get someone's attention. Maybe.

Hmmm... I'm not buying the zero emmissions!! :eek:

That's not the bike spewing forth emissions...it's the rider! :p

I agree. But I'm one of those curmudgeon that yells at the checker at Safeway because the sign should say "10 Items Or Fewer."

Nowadays something like "Cars Suck" might get someone's attention. Maybe.

Yeah, it might get your self-righteous ass run over. :eek:

The correct usage is fewer. Fewer refers to things that can be counted while less refers to quantities.

ex/ When I returned from the bathroom I suspected my friend had been stealing my food because I had fewer french-fries and less beer.

GrammarNazi++

Where do you plan on displaying this bumper sticker?
omg zorro, you are so clever!

I have failed to see the humor in that statement.

Hmmm... I'm not buying the zero emmissions!! :eek:

Hey, just avoid "burrito night" at the local Tex-Mex and you can certainly cut down on the emissions.

What about the speeding through red lights? and the bashing in old lady's windows with their cleats?
What about the angry cussing at drivers and nobody in particular?

As I see it, you are grammar fiend already. Run with it. A "One Fewer Car" sticker is correct, and might in certain circumstances even spark conversations with like-minded (grammar-minded) cyclists. Others will do one of the following:

1. Not care.
2. Will think you are pedantic and pompous.
3. Will think about the sticker longer than a "One Less Car" sticker.

To each of those, a short response:
1 - If they're not going to care, you might as well be correct
2 - Who cares? Do you really want to have anything to do with anybody whose entire negative opinion of you is formed by your correct use of the English language?
3 - I would consider this a small victory.

Hmmm...

I have failed to see the humor in that statement.
are youjoking TG? he said he wants toput a "bumper" sticker on his bike to show that he has one less car on the road...but then again.. where do you find a bumper for that bumper stiker but on a car.
OK.. why am I explaning this.. am I the only one who made that relation and zorro is also wondering why I am calling him clever?:p

ummm, are you putting this on the bumper of your bike, or your car? cuz "1 less car" on your car seems kind of counter productive...

[edit: ahh... must read full thread before posting....]

The sticker in question will go on either the top tube or down tube.

I think I like "Zero Emissions Vehicle" better, though. Thanks.

The sticker in question will go on either the top tube or down tube.

I think I like "Zero Emissions Vehicle" better, though. Thanks.

Sounds good. Just don't use either of them tubes as a bumper though. :D

The sticker in question will go on either the top tube or down tube.

I think I like "Zero Emissions Vehicle" better, though. Thanks.


Not trying to start an argument - but depending on how you define "zero emissions" a bike might not really fit - there's plenty of good ole oil and coal and military trickle down technology in bikes... (and tires, and clothing, and energy gel, and the food we eat...etc) ...and why pigeon hole the bike as an any "emissions" vehicle -"zero emissions" seems negative to me - like abstaining from something... and its also a response from transportation and car companies to greenwash driving... ...and I personally find "zero emissions" to be inappropriate on the bike - it so tied to cars and pollution... and bikes generally are not... (and, off topic, don't even "zero" emission vehicles emit something, somewhere? even if it is at the powerplant in the next county over?)



why not come up with something that celebrates cycling, and human power, and the independence that can be gained with such a simple machine? something that doesn't remind people that they are doing something "wrong" - but inspires them to ride, or to try, or remember how free they felt as a kid pedalling down the block?

just my opinion...

We like to shop from the local farmers' markets. I've always thought a good bike slogan might be "Powered by California Produce." Feel free to steal that idea and modify for your locality.