folder fanatic
05-19-08, 08:39 PM
Here is some observations that I have made during the last week's Bike-To-Work Day. It was definitely not as I expected:
More Bikes Out On The Road For the past few months, I have noticed a large spike in the number of bikes (all types) sighted. While this has appeared to be correlated with the price hike of fuel, I think it is a coping strategy for all around social ills like unemployment, underemployment, constant threat of job loss, fear of loss of housing, moving back home (ages 20s to even the 50s), loss of marital partner (divorce, death, or just disappearing off the radar).
More Specific Interest In My Folding Bike While I have people always asking me questions about my folders, I have noticed that more people are stopping me and appear to have more interest in purchasing a folder for themselves. I get more specific questions like: "where did you get that bike?," rather than a more general question like "what type of bike is that?" I was specifically asked what bike shop sold me the bike.
More Crowded Conditions On Southern California Public Transit Buses & Trains I can feel the crowds when I took the 7:15 bus from the El Monte Busway Station to Central Downtown Los Angeles. While these buses during the rush hours of 6-9 am and 3-7 pm were always crowded, now people are being left behind. and there were no seats available when I boarded. Last year there were seats available and I do not remember anyone left behind.
Asked For My Name & Address Something else was different this year. Each year that I participated in the Bike-To-Work Day and Week, I was never specifically asked for my identification. This year I was asked at all the tables set up for the freebie giveaways. While I do not have anything to hide, I may not choose to participate next year because I don't like to be tracked. Who knows what your name, address, phone number, and even e-mail address will be used for?
More Bikes Out On The Road For the past few months, I have noticed a large spike in the number of bikes (all types) sighted. While this has appeared to be correlated with the price hike of fuel, I think it is a coping strategy for all around social ills like unemployment, underemployment, constant threat of job loss, fear of loss of housing, moving back home (ages 20s to even the 50s), loss of marital partner (divorce, death, or just disappearing off the radar).
More Specific Interest In My Folding Bike While I have people always asking me questions about my folders, I have noticed that more people are stopping me and appear to have more interest in purchasing a folder for themselves. I get more specific questions like: "where did you get that bike?," rather than a more general question like "what type of bike is that?" I was specifically asked what bike shop sold me the bike.
More Crowded Conditions On Southern California Public Transit Buses & Trains I can feel the crowds when I took the 7:15 bus from the El Monte Busway Station to Central Downtown Los Angeles. While these buses during the rush hours of 6-9 am and 3-7 pm were always crowded, now people are being left behind. and there were no seats available when I boarded. Last year there were seats available and I do not remember anyone left behind.
Asked For My Name & Address Something else was different this year. Each year that I participated in the Bike-To-Work Day and Week, I was never specifically asked for my identification. This year I was asked at all the tables set up for the freebie giveaways. While I do not have anything to hide, I may not choose to participate next year because I don't like to be tracked. Who knows what your name, address, phone number, and even e-mail address will be used for?