This. What I personally find more offensive is that ridiculous Tom's Shoes "One Day Without Shoes" event. First of all, it is NOT hard without shoes. If I'm not on the bike or at the office, I go without shoes almost exclusively. Have for nearly 3 years now. It's a great way to keep feet and legs strong and to feel more "connected" with where you're stepping and all that other new-age jazz. To equate going without shoes for a day to the extreme poverty of 3rd world countries is just ridiculously short-sighted IMHO. Plus it's REALLY not hard at all.

As for riding my bike? I couldn't give 2 flips what other people think about me. Which is pretty obvious given that I regularly go barefoot in public.