Originally Posted by
UniChris
You're right that these are good solutions.
Where you're wrong is in that they're not sufficiently available where they're needed.
Availability is contingent on someone deciding to clean out the basement or garage, then putting it up for sale (or donation) in a path that gets it where it's needed. Just had a look at my regional craigslist, and in terms of what you are talking about, nothing. There are a couple of "steel is real" road bikes that might be almost temping if I were in the market for one though...
No, I'm right.
What you're saying is theoretical and does not match reality. Plenty of good options on the Western Mass Craigslist.
But Craigslist is one option of many. Bike Coops were mentioned - another option in some areas. Like it or not, decent old bicycles are very easy to find if one actually wants to. Key is
want.
You're "solution" to this theoretical problem amounts to creating more garbage in the long run, not fulfilling some "need" that the next sensationalized portion of the population is lacking. It feels good for a month or a year, but eventually means another huge pile of unused machines. We don't need to make more junk to satisfy our conscience. We should want to put the stuff we relegated to the trash pile prematurely to good use. More waste isn't the answer.