skanking biker
I posted this in commuting yesterday, but today this became an advocacy issue for me.
Couple of state senators rode their bikes from their district into the state capitol today to promote bike to work week. Local talk radio host spend 5 minutes telling the audience how ridiculous and impractical commuting by bicycle was, according to him. His "reasons" why cycling to work was not practical was:
1. Too long---He lived 15 miles from work and would have to wake up too early
2. There are no shower facilities and he would stink. He went on for 2 minutes about having to sit next to stinky people at work.
3. Doesn't want to wear "tights" to work.
___________
More from the put-upon talk show host who thinks commuting by bike is "silly"
TUESDAY, May 15, 2007, 8 a.m.
THE SILLY SEASON BEGINS EARLY
sykes@620wtmj.com
State Senator Jim Sullivan rides his bike to work: 80 miles.
It takes eight hours.
He doesn't get to the office until 2 p.m.
He gets a ride home.
But he's urging the rest of us to emulate him and ride our bikes to work.
Brian Fraley thinks it's just plain silly. (Make sure to catch the indignant comments from the Sullivan defenders, who seem to think that this sort of symbolic nagging should be immune from criticism.)
____________________
HEre is a blog from the person referenced in the above post
Quote:Bike 80 Miles to Work?
Tosa Senator Sullivan is Nuts
May 14th, 2007
This is just plain silly.
Today, State Senator Jim Sullivan, Executive Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Jack Hirt, former State Representative Peter Bock, West Allis Alderman Marty Weigel, and others from the 5th Senate district are biking from Wauwatosa to the State Capitol for national Bike to Work Week. The group departed this morning, May 14th at 6:00 a.m. and the group will be arriving at the northwest steps of the Capitol at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Sullivan goes on to say:
“Biking is not only healthy and fun activity, but every mile that a bicyclist travels is a mile not ridden in a car, reducing traffic congestion and auto emissions. I encourage everyone around the state to ride their bike to work this week.”
We should all bike to work?
It is supposed to be 87 degrees today.
Where are we? China?
This just in. If you bike more than a mile to work, I have news for you. You STINK. As in you smell. Real bad. Your sweat-soaked clothes reek like a high school locker room. Your slicked back hair isn’t fooling anyone. We know it’s not gel keeping your locks swept back, it’s just sweat.
Oh, and you stink.
Most of you who bike to work are damn menaces on busy city streets, too. You demand rights and access to the roadways, but you zigzag through traffic and ignore signs, signals and the basic rules of the road.
Senator Sullivan, just how much work are you going to get done once you reach Madison after an 80 hour voyage? Perhaps you’ll hold a press conference? But will you do anything constructive today, like try to stop your party from raising taxes on my house, my car, my hunting licenses, the fuel for my car? My Ipod?
You should have driven to work instead, and used that extra time to thwart your party’s attempts to make this tax hell even hotter.
Now, go take a shower.
Why are people so ignorant?
__________________________________________
My e-mail to the radio host:
I've been an avid listener of show for almost 10 years. I have not always agreed with you but always found your opinions to be reasonable and insightful. However, yesterday I was appalled over your comments about bicycling to work.
To begin with, there are a lot of professionals who cycle to work on a daily basis. I am an attorney and ride my bike 6-7 miles in to work when I don't need to go to court or drive to meetings.
Second, people who commute by bike do not "stink." If one wears appropriate wicking clothing and brings a small towel, deodorant, and change of clothes, one does not stink. I am able to fit a pair of dress shoes, change of clothes, and daily toiletries in my bag that I carry. I have never once had co-workers complain that I stink.
Given the soaring gas prices, cycling to work is a great way to save money. A conservative like you should appreciate that. It is also good for the environment. I am by no means anti-car, but do people really need to be driving that Hummer all by themselves 6 miles to work? Cycling to work also reduces stress and is a great way to get in shape. I, for one, have lost 20 pounds and quit smoking since I decided to start commuting to work via bike.
Charlie, you usually have informed opinions that are based on facts. Here, you are entirely off-base. Why don't you try and educate yourself a little about commuting by bicycle before trashing the concept on air with juvenile comments the equivalent of "you stink stupid."
Couple of state senators rode their bikes from their district into the state capitol today to promote bike to work week. Local talk radio host spend 5 minutes telling the audience how ridiculous and impractical commuting by bicycle was, according to him. His "reasons" why cycling to work was not practical was:
1. Too long---He lived 15 miles from work and would have to wake up too early
2. There are no shower facilities and he would stink. He went on for 2 minutes about having to sit next to stinky people at work.
3. Doesn't want to wear "tights" to work.
___________
More from the put-upon talk show host who thinks commuting by bike is "silly"
TUESDAY, May 15, 2007, 8 a.m.
THE SILLY SEASON BEGINS EARLY
sykes@620wtmj.com
State Senator Jim Sullivan rides his bike to work: 80 miles.
It takes eight hours.
He doesn't get to the office until 2 p.m.
He gets a ride home.
But he's urging the rest of us to emulate him and ride our bikes to work.
Brian Fraley thinks it's just plain silly. (Make sure to catch the indignant comments from the Sullivan defenders, who seem to think that this sort of symbolic nagging should be immune from criticism.)
____________________
HEre is a blog from the person referenced in the above post
Quote:Bike 80 Miles to Work?
Tosa Senator Sullivan is Nuts
May 14th, 2007
This is just plain silly.
Today, State Senator Jim Sullivan, Executive Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Jack Hirt, former State Representative Peter Bock, West Allis Alderman Marty Weigel, and others from the 5th Senate district are biking from Wauwatosa to the State Capitol for national Bike to Work Week. The group departed this morning, May 14th at 6:00 a.m. and the group will be arriving at the northwest steps of the Capitol at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Sullivan goes on to say:
“Biking is not only healthy and fun activity, but every mile that a bicyclist travels is a mile not ridden in a car, reducing traffic congestion and auto emissions. I encourage everyone around the state to ride their bike to work this week.”
We should all bike to work?
It is supposed to be 87 degrees today.
Where are we? China?
This just in. If you bike more than a mile to work, I have news for you. You STINK. As in you smell. Real bad. Your sweat-soaked clothes reek like a high school locker room. Your slicked back hair isn’t fooling anyone. We know it’s not gel keeping your locks swept back, it’s just sweat.
Oh, and you stink.
Most of you who bike to work are damn menaces on busy city streets, too. You demand rights and access to the roadways, but you zigzag through traffic and ignore signs, signals and the basic rules of the road.
Senator Sullivan, just how much work are you going to get done once you reach Madison after an 80 hour voyage? Perhaps you’ll hold a press conference? But will you do anything constructive today, like try to stop your party from raising taxes on my house, my car, my hunting licenses, the fuel for my car? My Ipod?
You should have driven to work instead, and used that extra time to thwart your party’s attempts to make this tax hell even hotter.
Now, go take a shower.
Why are people so ignorant?
__________________________________________
My e-mail to the radio host:
I've been an avid listener of show for almost 10 years. I have not always agreed with you but always found your opinions to be reasonable and insightful. However, yesterday I was appalled over your comments about bicycling to work.
To begin with, there are a lot of professionals who cycle to work on a daily basis. I am an attorney and ride my bike 6-7 miles in to work when I don't need to go to court or drive to meetings.
Second, people who commute by bike do not "stink." If one wears appropriate wicking clothing and brings a small towel, deodorant, and change of clothes, one does not stink. I am able to fit a pair of dress shoes, change of clothes, and daily toiletries in my bag that I carry. I have never once had co-workers complain that I stink.
Given the soaring gas prices, cycling to work is a great way to save money. A conservative like you should appreciate that. It is also good for the environment. I am by no means anti-car, but do people really need to be driving that Hummer all by themselves 6 miles to work? Cycling to work also reduces stress and is a great way to get in shape. I, for one, have lost 20 pounds and quit smoking since I decided to start commuting to work via bike.
Charlie, you usually have informed opinions that are based on facts. Here, you are entirely off-base. Why don't you try and educate yourself a little about commuting by bicycle before trashing the concept on air with juvenile comments the equivalent of "you stink stupid."