And the car companies bite back
 

I was perusing facebook in my normal procastinational style a while ago, when an ad popped up in my news feed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/...66c0d860_o.jpg

It's pretty bad, and trying to make cycling look bad is a full 100 steps backwards for the progress the auto industry was making for environmental friendliness.

Just figured I'd let you folks take a look at it and get your responses.

Don't sweat it... trade in the helmet hair for what, a wide waist line, poor cardiovascular system, increased blood pressure and hours and hours whiled away waiting in traffic... :rolleyes:

It's not me I'm worried about, it's all the people who see the ad who bike more casually than I do and take the ad to indicate the failures of biking.

They probably see the car companies as just as desperate as you saw them.

This is great isn't it? Earlier in the week there was a thread about State Farm trying to convince cyclists that car ownership need not be expensive. Now GM. Maybe it's not just BS that cycling for commuting is picking up momentum.

Gee, I though the State Farm commercial was about saving money on your car insurance. This one looks like it's about an affordable car.

My mistake, my "I'm the victim of discrimination" radar must be out of calibration again.

If, indeed, the motorcar industry sees bicycling as a threat, then the bicycle has really arrived.

I don't think it is so much a feeling of being a victim, but when you look at the pop culture of bicycling in the States (think 40 Year Old Virgin) vs. that which is coming out of Europe and the UK, there is a huge difference. And you wonder why there are so many threads here about being cut off, honked at, right hooked, bias within the legal community and so forth?

I'm recently back in the fold. Loved bikes as a kid, did some racing in my teens, haven't touched a bike since. Well, gas prices and a desire to help cut ties to the Mid East have me doing my small part. I cannot commute on a bicycle because I carry tools all over the Denver Metro area. Pretty sick of my trade though, looking for something else.

Anyway, I've started using my recently gifted bike to go to the store. It feels weird to hop in the car to go 3 miles now. It is exciting to see the anti-bike propaganda, it must not be just ME that's coming back to childhood and having fun getting somewhere instead of being trapped in the car.

Of course, West Denver is a great place to ride, most motorists are respectful.

Anyway, this is my solution to helmet head:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7...ippers1ng1.jpg

;)

I would like to say that it looks like this particular ad is from Alberta Pontiac, not from General Motors. This is a good thing because you may be able to get a response from an individual dealership rather than from a huge corporation like GM. Maybe we should e-mail them or call them and explain our opinions.

And the car companies bite back
 

+1.

I'm actually quite pleased to see this car company putting money into promoting cycling in their own strange way.

A quick glance at the ad shows the people on the bike are probably having way more fun than anyone in the car. Is there anyone in the car? Can't see. Don't know. They're faceless.

Not so the people on the bike. Hey, it's a family!

Of course it is kinda funny that the ad says "get rid of more than helmet hair" yet the people riding the bike aren't having to deal with that ;)

Honestly, I think an ad like this will get many people to think "I remember how much fun it was to ride a bike. Hmmm..."

Welcome to Bike Forums! Good to see you here! Come visit us locals over on the Mountain and Plains regional subforum. http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=238

And yes... Denver is a GREAT place to ride! :)

True.

This ad is a far cry from Volvo's add of 20 years ago, in which the company touted the environmental consciousness of its customers. The garage door opens to expose a Volvo, but the owner sets out on his bicycle.

I suppose VW/Audi could regret the fact that I make my cars easily last 15 to 20 years by walking, cycling, or riding transit whenever I can. (No, Cook VW, I am not ready to trade in my 2001 Passat wagon, which is just nicely broken in with 42k miles on the odometer. :) )

Actually that is my solution for balding. But it does wonders for the Helmet head issue as well:D

I second that. It's similar to the fact that Southwest competes with auto travel, not other airlines. This auto dealer obviously sees cycling as something that will eventually affect their sales. If this is truly the case then HOORAY.

That was my initial reaction also, especially in the context of the opening presentation by the CEO of GM at the Detroit motor show recently.

I think it is less a sign of the bicycle's arrival and more a sign of desperation on the part of the automotive industry. Their sales are waaaay down. I had my truck in for service the other day and they actually had salesmen trolling in the service department, offering "test drives" to take people back to work or wherever:rolleyes:...joke was on them, I hauled my bike out of the back of the truck and rode off to come back and retrieve the truck later.:D

Aaron:)