Advocacy & Safety - Why do you ride?

Hey all,

(I'm doing research for a grad thesis project; looking for common themes in the experiences of the expert user. If you have a second to give some thought to, and answer the following question, it would be much appreciated!)

We generally don’t think much about something we do every day. Yet if we stop and analyze the experience, there are complex and remarkable things going on that we don’t even notice anymore. I’m asking you to think critically about something you consider routine, to evaluate the experience as if it were the first time.

So, the next time you’re on a bike, examine the experience of going for a ride. Think of what motivates you, the common themes across the different disciplines of riding and racing; and how your experience as a cyclist has affected the rest of your life. If you want, focus on one aspect of the ride; break down the process of cornering; how do you handle traffic, etc.

In short, why do you ride?

i ride because walking is slow and there is no sidewalk. also cars are evil money stealing bastards of financial death... at least the used ones are.

Following is not a ranking

1. Fitness
2. Cost. (I commute to work on my bike) By not buying a 2nd car, gas, insurance, parking spot at work, repairs we save about $5000 a year. This is like a $8000 rais before tax.
3. Environment
4. Fun (i enjoy my commute)
5. Environment
6. To impart to my children through example the joys of biking and all the benefits listed above.

I ride because I enjoy it. The bicycle is the most efficient means of transport in terms of payload moved at the greatest speed for the least input of energy. It is a beautiful machine because it is possible to understand how it works just by looking at, except for how it balances - that can only be understood by doing it.

Civilization reached its peak in the period between 1880 and 1900, which saw the invention of the safety bicycle, the pneumatic tires, tangential spoked wheels, freewheel, rim brakes. Things have become more complicated since then but not necessarily better.

I ride because I freaking love it. Twirl your legs and you're there!

Freedom from bus schedules, freedom to roam anywhere you want with the versatility only matched by being on foot. I want to emphasize the travel whenever you want policy.

I hate waiting for transit, I hate cramming onto them only to find that I would've made it faster if I had just ridden my bike. Lastly I save the 8 bucks a day and I get healthier AND I get there faster.

Not saying I follow all the laws of the road (especially downtown), but i'll be damned if you can beat me from point A to point B anywhere downtown.

I ride for the excercise, to help lose wieght, build up lung capacity, save on gas and it's fun. I also ride for the stangest reason anyone one does anything, I enjoy it! It is Fun. I like it! And I can do it. It gives me freedom. It gives a calm mediatating feeling. (Unless some b.... tries to run me over.) It is good for my health. (Unless some C.S.B. tries to run me over.) It also helps getting rid of anger and frustation.
I also have RLS/PLMDS and riding at night is sometimes the only relief.

Please dont cross post: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69230