Americans Love Their Cars Half as Much as They did a Decade Ago
08-03-06, 09:37 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: St. Louis MO
Posts: 273
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They are starting to wake up from their car induced coma! Some of them are even riding bikes now!
Viva la velo!
Keep Cycling!
Viva la velo!
Keep Cycling!
08-04-06, 05:53 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Posts: 2,023
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
6 Posts
Not that surprising though. Still, I think there's a large segment out there who would rather die of some nasty disease then give up their SUV's.
08-04-06, 07:47 AM
#4
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Speaking of disease and SUVs... The wheels are falling off of H2s.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/node/10515
Don't bump a curb with your H2... it might just die on the spot... LOL
https://www.scrippsnews.com/node/10515
Engineers at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration are studying how a part called a steering knuckle fractured or failed in the incidents, causing H2 suspensions to collapse or their wheels to separate.
General Motors denies there is a safety problem with the metal part, which holds the steering arms in place near the front tires. It says that knuckle-related collapses and wheel-separation incidents are a consequence _ not a cause _ of H2 crashes and collisions.
General Motors denies there is a safety problem with the metal part, which holds the steering arms in place near the front tires. It says that knuckle-related collapses and wheel-separation incidents are a consequence _ not a cause _ of H2 crashes and collisions.
08-04-06, 08:18 AM
#5
Dominatrikes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Still in Santa Barbara
Posts: 4,920
Bikes: Catrike Pocket, Lightning Thunderbold recumbent, Trek 3000 MTB.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe Serge should take a look at this chart and then tell us there are no bad drivers and that nothing could be done to make people drive better.
08-04-06, 08:58 AM
#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Thanks for the thread, Randya. As traffic congestion worsens and the cost of motoring continues to rise, more people evidently see the fallacy of equating private automobile travel with freedom. I have no near-term plans to give up driving, but I have long felt that it is my bicycle that gives me true freedom of mobility.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-04-06, 08:59 AM
#8
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Jerseysbest
THat 6% who fell asleep is pretty scary... And reading a book?? C'mon...
08-04-06, 09:03 AM
#9
Senior Member
Originally Posted by John E
Thanks for the thread, Randya. As traffic congestion worsens and the cost of motoring continues to rise, more people evidently see the fallacy of equating private automobile travel with freedom. I have no near-term plans to give up driving, but I have long felt that it is my bicycle that gives me true freedom of mobility.
Co-workers commutes have become longer and there are more late arrivals because of trafic problems, yet I'm never late and always feel good once I get in.
08-04-06, 09:52 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jerseysbest
THat 6% who fell asleep is pretty scary... And reading a book?? C'mon...
08-04-06, 10:04 AM
#11
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
They make like their cars 1/2 has much, but I better they are driving twice as much. There certainly aren't twice as many people riding that is for sure.
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
08-04-06, 10:09 AM
#12
Senior Member
this link based it's information on a Pew Research Center telephone survey whereas the AAA study was based on a month of observation by cameras in test subjects cars.
I'd think the 6% of drivers admitting to sleep, 6% admitting to read or the 16% admitting to groom themselves is low. The AAA study is probably more accurate.
6% reading? More like, 40% read books or newspapers and/or write things down while driving
I'd think the 6% of drivers admitting to sleep, 6% admitting to read or the 16% admitting to groom themselves is low. The AAA study is probably more accurate.
6% reading? More like, 40% read books or newspapers and/or write things down while driving
Last edited by closetbiker; 08-04-06 at 11:25 AM.
08-04-06, 10:19 AM
#13
Senior Member
Because of suburban sprawl and housing patterns, Americans can never give up their cars. There is not alternative. Even if they have to get a loan to pay for their gasoline .
08-04-06, 10:36 AM
#14
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by sbhikes
Maybe Serge should take a look at this chart and then tell us there are no bad drivers and that nothing could be done to make people drive better.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-04-06, 10:40 AM
#15
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by chipcom
WTF is wrong with singing out loud in the car? It keeps the coyotes away!
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
08-04-06, 10:43 AM
#16
Senior Member
Originally Posted by chipcom
WTF is wrong with singing out loud in the car? It keeps the coyotes away!
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
08-04-06, 10:52 AM
#17
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
It can also help with the sleep thing too. I sing on my bike sometimes. Does this make me a menence on two wheels?
08-04-06, 10:53 AM
#18
Ha Ha! Boss.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: pdx, or
Posts: 879
Bikes: Univega custom 14sp mixte + Sears 3sp groceryhoggg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jerseysbest
THat 6% who fell asleep is pretty scary... And reading a book?? C'mon...
we went to my friend's birthday party once, and she wrote out her entire card on the f'n steering wheel. Of course, I was there to watch out for "traffic".
No, she didn't want me to drive.wow... she was such a weirdo! ahahahah
08-04-06, 11:14 AM
#19
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
It can also help with the sleep thing too. I sing on my bike sometimes. Does this make me a menence on two wheels?
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
08-04-06, 11:44 AM
#20
Senior Member
The other day I had an odd though triggered by singing on my bike. I can sing in public like this because the streets are totally deserted of real people! There are only cars, and me. Even though there is no metal or glass surrounding me, I still feel caged...
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
08-04-06, 12:07 PM
#21
No-Pants Island
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South Bay of SF
Posts: 425
Bikes: 2007 Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD & 2001 Specialized Crossroads
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Among the still sizable majority who say they like to drive, the biggest reasons offered were the relaxation (21%), the scenery (19%), the freedom (14%) and the ability to get around (12%).
I wonder how much of that relaxation isn't from the actual driving, but from other things about the car -- your sweet cocoon of music, solitude, climate control, escape from work/family/jerks/etc, anticipating the destination, etc. If so, that would be a good thing -- you don't need a car to have all that. Just a nice man-cave or something.
08-04-06, 01:14 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 4,063
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I dunno while they're bashing singing either. If the only other thing drivers did while driving was sing, the world would be a surreal utopia.
08-04-06, 01:30 PM
#23
Portland Fred
Originally Posted by closetbiker
Over the 21 years of commuting to work on my bike, I've always felt that driving in will only get worse while riding a bike will stay the same. It has.
Even if that weren't the case, how many cyclists don't have their spirits lifted when riding by a traffic jam?
08-04-06, 03:37 PM
#24
Ultra-clydesdale
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572
Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
I do it too... I don't think singing is a menace to cycling in any form...
Windows up is fine, as long as I xcan't hear it.
08-04-06, 03:49 PM
#25
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by nm+
Bull. Windows down. For some, thats a crime against humanity.
Windows up is fine, as long as I xcan't hear it.
Windows up is fine, as long as I xcan't hear it.