Living Car Free - Can't pick up your kids without a car....

http://bcgp.blogspot.com/2008/03/geicos-safe-routes-to-school.html

LOLz

that video has so many truths to it.

Ooooh, I remember that ad campaign. There was another one where a guy doesn't have a car, so he has to ride a BICYCLE to work. He pulls out of the garage on a little girl's pink bike with a basket on the front.

Ooooh, I remember that ad campaign. There was another one where a guy doesn't have a car, so he has to ride a BICYCLE to work. He pulls out of the garage on a little girl's pink bike with a basket on the front.

wow, that's embarrassing. probably either a 40 year old virgin or dwi offender :rolleyes:

Ooooh, I remember that ad campaign. There was another one where a guy doesn't have a car, so he has to ride a BICYCLE to work. He pulls out of the garage on a little girl's pink bike with a basket on the front.

That was Homer Simpson when he lost his license. He took Lisa's bike to work.

That was Homer Simpson when he lost his license. He took Lisa's bike to work.

I think you're right - oops.

The ad I'm thinking of has a guy in a suit on a kid's bike, or scooter or something, going to work and his neighbors are staring at him. I really thought it was Geico, but a youtube search turned up nothing.

I think you're right - oops.

The ad I'm thinking of has a guy in a suit on a kid's bike, or scooter or something, going to work and his neighbors are staring at him. I really thought it was Geico, but a youtube search turned up nothing.

don't worry... you're not crazy. i remember something like that in a commercial... just can't remember which one it was.

Ooooh, I remember that ad campaign. There was another one where a guy doesn't have a car, so he has to ride a BICYCLE to work. He pulls out of the garage on a little girl's pink bike with a basket on the front.

It was for an insurance company, something about how you can't live without your car when it's wrecked and they'll move heaven and earth to get yo back on the road again, mainly to justify their outrageous fees.

Ooooh, I remember that ad campaign. There was another one where a guy doesn't have a car, so he has to ride a BICYCLE to work. He pulls out of the garage on a little girl's pink bike with a basket on the front.
This one? It's a Drink Driving thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbhXoTBbZo

No, it was part of the same Geico ad campaign. Might have been a tricycle? I saw the ad but forgot the details.

Guy in a business suit w/ a brief case riding a little girl's pink bike with training wheels and, if memory serves, a pink helmet too, into the parking garage.

I remember the ad the OP posted a link to. That is a sad commentary on the US frame of mind.

On Facebook there are a number of groups about lowering the gas prices, but anytime someone mentions riding a bike or using a bus, it gets laughed off. Some grudgingly accept that maybe you could use it to go to class or short trips and begin to see the usefulness of alternate methods of transit. Most just disqualify it by one of several arguments: the "I'm only one person, what difference would it make?", the "You can't go across the country on a bike" (focusing on the larger, rather than smaller picture of local transportation options) or just outright ridicule or mockery. Many brag about their truck getting 8-10 MPG.

I think I remember the Simpsons' episode and I believe that was actually a positive message for biking. If it is this one:http://www.tv.com/episode/1360/summary.html it starts out with the stereotypical "DUI forces one from a car to a bike" but Homer gets off the sauce, at least for this episode, and chooses to stay sober and enjoy time with Marge.

i think it's funny. there's a crazed look in that woman's eye, she's wielding an airhorn, and there's a bumper sticker on her ass! i'd be embarrassed, too. that commercial is too silly to take seriously.

I think I remember the Simpsons' episode and I believe that was actually a positive message for biking. If it is this one:http://www.tv.com/episode/1360/summary.html it starts out with the stereotypical "DUI forces one from a car to a bike" but Homer gets off the sauce, at least for this episode, and chooses to stay sober and enjoy time with Marge.

There was another episode when Homer lost his license (think Jane Kazmarek (sp??) did the voice of the judge) and Marge had to drive Lisa & Bart everywhere, and Homer walked down the street and said "wow, I actually walked all the way to Moe's!" and Bart n Lisa are halfway down the block (at the house) saying "way to go dad!".. Just goes to show you most people have no idea of the distances they're capable of _walking_ to, let alone biking to.

Bart and Lisa go all over the place on their bikes, and of course Bart also has his skateboard.

It's easy to get into that kind of mentality. I know when I had a car, I really couldn't gage distances or figure out what I can handle physically. I don't think many people do. When I was trying to find a house in this city, I was considering a place maybe 8 to 10km away from my place of work. I didn't have a car or a bike back then, so I had to consider options like public transit. My dad put it in perspective for me. That distance is possibly a few big city blocks... and I would walk that distance all the time when I lived downtown. It just seems further away because there's nothing interesting to look at when you commute that way through suburbs.

I finally settled on a house that was about a 1/2 hour walk away, 10 minutes by bike. Some car-bound people still think that's too far. People literally cry if they have to walk more than 10 minutes anywhere. People think that taking 1/2 an hour to go up the block because of traffic and finding parking is acceptable, but walking there? Oh no, don't be a plebe! It's all a matter of perspective.

It's easy to get into that kind of mentality. I know when I had a car, I really couldn't gage distances or figure out what I can handle physically. I don't think many people do. When I was trying to find a house in this city, I was considering a place maybe 8 to 10km away from my place of work. I didn't have a car or a bike back then, so I had to consider options like public transit. My dad put it in perspective for me. That distance is possibly a few big city blocks... and I would walk that distance all the time when I lived downtown. It just seems further away because there's nothing interesting to look at when you commute that way through suburbs.

I finally settled on a house that was about a 1/2 hour walk away, 10 minutes by bike. Some car-bound people still think that's too far. People literally cry if they have to walk more than 10 minutes anywhere. People think that taking 1/2 an hour to go up the block because of traffic and finding parking is acceptable, but walking there? Oh no, don't be a plebe! It's all a matter of perspective.

when i was a kid i remember having a range of almost 20 miles in the town i grew up in. this was just my friends and i on our BMX bikes riding to each other's houses and wherever.

then, when i turned 16, those distances somehow only became managable with a car. i had crossed over into the car mentality and couldn't imagine riding 20 miles anywhere (i'm different now of course).

same town, same person, the only difference was a car... and it changed everything. my world actually got smaller after i got a car.

http://bcgp.blogspot.com/2008/03/geicos-safe-routes-to-school.html

LOLz

As motorists have told me... "You're not a car!" LOL

But it does point out how car-addicted this society is. I guess she didn't notice a little thing in the ad called a sidewalk. ;)

As motorists have told me... "You're not a car!" LOL

But it does point out how car-addicted this society is. I guess she didn't notice a little thing in the ad called a sidewalk. ;)

To which I usually reply "Yeah, aint it great?" as I pedal away to leave them stuck in traffic.

Some in my neighborhood drive their kids one or two blocks and then park and wait for the school bus. I also see some drive up to their curbside mail box to pickup the mail when coming home, before driving 40 feet up the driveway. The funniest ones can't line up the monster SUV correctly and have to take two or three back and forth stabs at it! :lol: Much easier than walking 80 feet I suppose.

Twice I saw a parent driving along the curb at 7 mph while their little pumpkin cycled down the sidewalk! :eek:

Some in my neighborhood drive their kids one or two blocks and then park and wait for the school bus. I also see some drive up to their curbside mail box to pickup the mail when coming home, before driving 40 feet up the driveway. The funniest ones can't line up the monster SUV correctly and have to take two or three back and forth stabs at it! :lol: Much easier than walking 80 feet I suppose.

Twice I saw a parent driving along the curb at 7 mph while their little pumpkin cycled down the sidewalk! :eek:

Some people are very dedicated and work hard at being overweight.

Some people are very dedicated and work hard at being overweight.

http://www.fitnessfriends.com.au/user_files/Image/escalator%20to%20fitness.jpg

I also see some drive up to their curbside mail box to pickup the mail when coming home, before driving 40 feet up the driveway. The funniest ones can't line up the monster SUV correctly and have to take two or three back and forth stabs at it! :lol: Much easier than walking 80 feet I suppose.

I live in an apartment complex where all the mailboxes are under one little kiosk. I regularly see people coming home from work stop by the mailbox, get out and retrieve their mail, then got back in the car and drive to their apartments. It wouldn't be a big deal for those who live on the opposite end, but...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/DSCN0187.jpg

Yes, I've seen quite a few drive from that kiosk to the apartments you see right behind it. I didn't truly understand lazy until I saw this in action.

http://www.fitnessfriends.com.au/user_files/Image/escalator%20to%20fitness.jpg

:roflmao: Classic!

http://www.fitnessfriends.com.au/user_files/Image/escalator%20to%20fitness.jpg

They should turn off the escalators and make fun of the customers who complain.

Hook the escalators up to a rheostat and run them in the opposite direction at the same speed they're climbing, then they'll get their exercise.

You know now that you mention it...

I went to the gym across from my work yesterday to see if they could rent me a locker and a shower when I start going to work on the bike and the only way to the gym was the escalators.

I don't disagree with most of what is said in this post. But to be fair, it is possible a gym might have patrons who's legs don't work so good (accident etc) but come to exercise the best they can. They probably prefer the escalator.

-D

What a load. Some of my earliest memories are of my father picking me up from school on his bike.

The only thing that kept me from riding my bike to elementary school was that we lived by the highway and my folks were afraid some damn fool would hit me and then dad would have to hunt him down and kill him.

Middle and high school were just too far away to make riding a viable option, wish I could have ridden then.

I live in an apartment complex where all the mailboxes are under one little kiosk. I regularly see people coming home from work stop by the mailbox, get out and retrieve their mail, then got back in the car and drive to their apartments. It wouldn't be a big deal for those who live on the opposite end, but...

Yes, I've seen quite a few drive from that kiosk to the apartments you see right behind it. I didn't truly understand lazy until I saw this in action.

Same thing here. I've seen people stop at the mailboxes, let the vehicle idle while they get the mail and then continue driving to their parking stall. Even the farthest unit out is just a few dozen steps from the mailboxes.

I don't disagree with most of what is said in this post. But to be fair, it is possible a gym might have patrons who's legs don't work so good (accident etc) but come to exercise the best they can. They probably prefer the escalator.

-D

That I don't mind, ADA exists for a reason. But how many times do you see an elevator or an escalator used by someone who is perfectly healthy?

You know now that you mention it...

I went to the gym across from my work yesterday to see if they could rent me a locker and a shower when I start going to work on the bike and the only way to the gym was the escalators.

Did you have any luck with the shower/locker thing? I was thinking about that.

I remember one thread ( on BF?) about a really lazy postwoman who would bumper
push the wheelie bin from the house up the driveway so she didn't have to get out
of the van to put the mail in the box.

That I don't mind, ADA exists for a reason. But how many times do you see an elevator or an escalator used by someone who is perfectly healthy?

I know what you mean. Sometimes I ride 10 miles to get somewhere, then I'll stand there waiting for an elevator to go up one flight! :o :D

Not to hijack the thread at all, but:

Nope, which is quite sad. The best they could do was a membership at 45-46 a month. Columbus, at least our mayor, is really embracing bicycling and other alternatives. Lifetime sits right in the heart of down town columbus with a number of law firms, businesses, government offices and so forth. They could probably do some good business if they catered to bike commuters.

I'll probably go the Y. It sits a little ways north of my work, which would work in the fall when I would be commuting from campus. A membership for me would be 20 something a month plus a 7 dollar locker rental a month. I figure that's the tank of gas I'm not paying, so why not? The Y also has a yoga studio, something I have been wanting to do for a while to help strengthen my knee. So it works on a couple levels. Depending on the route (one way streets) from there to work, it would be half a mile or less. I would probably just walk the bike and give myself a chance to cool off.

I know what you mean. Sometimes I ride 10 miles to get somewhere, then I'll stand there waiting for an elevator to go up one flight! :o :D

And I won't fault you there either. I am referring to the vast majority who park their cars as close as possible to the entrance, then take the elevators or escalators, all the while sipping on the last of the biggie sized diet coke they ordered with the big mac and large fries for lunch.

I have to walk my bike up 3 flights at my apartment, no elevators. Trust me, I wish there was some days.

Here's one reason for enthusiastically supporting elevators and escalators: they are the only public transit systems in North America that everyone is willing to use. Vertical public transit works. Horizontal, not so much.

If only somebody would invent a sideways elevator. All our transit woes would be solved.

;)

True. Convenience seems to play a huge factor.

I have to walk my bike up 3 flights at my apartment, no elevators. Trust me, I wish there was some days.

I used to do that. Now I have a heated and air conditioned garage for my bike. The bike lives better than I do. I click the door opener as I'm turning into the driveway and roll right in. I just hope the garage door never gets stuck halfway up or I will be beheaded.

:eek:

This is the worst case of decadence yet--I'm even more spoiled than the young kids who get driven one block to school. And my bike is more spoiled than I am!

I used to do that. Now I have a heated and air conditioned garage for my bike. The bike lives better than I do. I click the door opener as I'm turning into the driveway and roll right in. I just hope the garage door never gets stuck halfway up or I will be beheaded.

:eek:

This is the worst case of decadence yet--I'm even more spoiled than the young kids who get driven one block to school. And my bike is more spoiled than I am!

Let's see now... I live in a second floor walk-up and I have one bike in the kitchen, the gf's trike in the front hall, a folder in here kid's room, two more and a frame parked in the back of the van, and the BoB trailer is standing up on end in a corner of the bedroom.

One of these days I'm just going to say the hells with it and ride mine down the damn stairs instead of carrying it, I'd do it with the trailer but it wont make the turn at the landing halfway down the stairs, stairway's not wide enough.

Let's see now... I live in a second floor walk-up and I have one bike in the kitchen, the gf's trike in the front hall, a folder in here kid's room, two more and a frame parked in the back of the van, and the BoB trailer is standing up on end in a corner of the bedroom.

One of these days I'm just going to say the hells with it and ride mine down the damn stairs instead of carrying it, I'd do it with the trailer but it wont make the turn at the landing halfway down the stairs, stairway's not wide enough.
:lol:
If you ride down the stairs I bet I'll be waiting to watch you ride back up them!

You need the garage a lot worse than I do. I only have three bikes in there now. I got my landlord to change the language in my lease. It said "1 garage space for tenant's car". I had him change it to "tenant's vehicles."

:lol:
If you ride down the stairs I bet I'll be waiting to watch you ride back up them!

You need the garage a lot worse than I do. I only have three bikes in there now. I got my landlord to change the language in my lease. It said "1 garage space for tenant's car". I had him change it to "tenant's vehicles."

I'd like to be at the point where I was capable of riding it up the stairs, but that's some ways off at he moment.

If only somebody would invent a sideways elevator. All our transit woes would be solved.

;)

If they invent the vertical car, we're doomed. ;)

If only somebody would invent a sideways elevator. All our transit woes would be solved.

;)

they got those at the airports. i have to admit... i love them!

^ I was on one of those yesterday - it's like walking at warp speed.

they got those at the airports. i have to admit... i love them!
The art museum has one for transit between the east and west galleries. The surface is a little bouncier than the one at the airport. If shopping malls had them, people might not drive their cars from one end of the mall to the other. They could have moving express strips down the centers with hop off points at the major junctions. It would be more acceptable in the US than bike lanes in the malls.

You mean you're not supposed to ride your bike in the mall?

That would explain all the yelling and carrying on...

:roflmao:

I have contemplated the evolution of a "utility cyclist" and have concluded that there are certain levels, like riding to work in the summer, riding in the rain/cold/dark/snow, and so on. The different "levels" or whatever they might be called show the development of one's skill/ability/commitment, or whatever you might want to call that.

The highest level of skill, the greatest accomplishment, an accomplishment that is more political than technical and therefore much more difficult, an accomplishment that is so difficult that perhaps no one has ever achieved it and ever could, the "Grand Master of Utility Cycling" level, would be...

picking up one's teenage daughter from high school on a bicycle.