Originally Posted by
Jaywalk3r
I've heard people using the limitations inherent to the bikes widely available on the US market as (often valid) reasons why they don't ride. They can't ride in their work clothes, they can't carry enough, the bikes look uncomfortable, bikes need too much maintenance, etc. They're valid concerns.
Or, looked at from a slightly different perspective: Do you actually believe that the bicycle modal share would be as high in Amsterdam and Copenhagen if they only had access to the recreational bikes that are readily available to the US market? Not a chance.
...acknowledging that I'm probably going to regret getting involved in this...
I "have access" to a very wide variety of bikes. Living near Portland, my access is probably greater than that of most people in the U.S. I could run out tonight and buy a bakfiets if I wanted to, for instance.
The primary reason I don't do that is that I live 10 miles from work and near the top of a really steep hill. If I bought a bike that's designed to carry a lot of stuff and get me to work without fouling my work clothes, it would take me around two hours to get there, and I find that unacceptable. I could probably get there quicker, but not without breaking a mighty sweat.
The situation is different for a lot of people living in Portland near their place of employment, and a few of them use Dutch style bikes. Even more use old beat up bike boom era bikes. The utility bikes are pretty expensive and most people can't seem to get over the idea that bikes should cost about $100 even if they're willing to pay $3000 for an unreliable car. But what I'm saying is that these bikes are available and people don't buy them, which is why the availability doesn't grow (or at least is growing slowly).
I haven't followed the whole discussion here, and I'm not even sure what type of bike you are advocating for, but I think for most people a 1970's Schwinn with a milk crate strapped on a rear rack provides all the utility and comfort they need. The reason that the American bike market is dominated by other sorts of bikes is that corporations can't make money selling 1970's Schwinns, so they need to differentiate and persuade people that the differentiation has value.