cplager

Here's an article I came across today that tells us what we pretty much already knew. There are some dangers in cycling, but they are much smaller than the danger of sitting around and doing nothing.

Gojohnnygo.

Nice read thanks

genec

I think if they really want "walking and cycling to become the norm for short trips as a way to combat the increasingly desperate extent of health problems connected to inactivity and obesity," then we as a country need to follow through: "there's no magic behind getting people on their feet or on their bikes, it just takes sufficient political will. If the Dutch and Danish did so in the 1960s and 70s, so can we now."

Right now we have a society that encourages driving around in big, fat, polluting, noisey machines that have seating which roughtly resembles the home couch.

B. Carfree

Here's a news flash from Cincinnati circa 1818 discussing the merits of the velocipede:


From Bicycle, The History by David V. Herlihy

I guess the notion that sitting on a couch is rather deadly compared to riding a bike, or a velocipede in the case of the news article quoted above (early incarnation of a bicycle minus the pedals), isn't exactly news.

delcrossv

True, but getting hard stats as to just how bad it is, is news.

I-Like-To-Bike

[h=2]Which is more dangerous: Bicycling or sitting on your couch? [/h]
Are those my only choices?

cplager

Yes.

I-Like-To-Bike

I find it very dangerous to watch TV while bicycling. I also find it dangerous to fall asleep while bicycling, but quite safe on my couch.

Looigi

I'm fortunate to find time for both riding and sitting on the couch.

jfmckenna

And with entertainment systems too.

howsteepisit

With the lack of quantitative data, its mostly blowing smoke. I wold expect these experts to be able to cite some death rates, injury rates and the like for the respective activities, of course controlled for related activities such as tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

delcrossv

You have a recumbent? That is riding while sitting on your couch- or at least a chaise.

(I personally have been asked "where's the TV" while out riding.)

cplager

I was riding with a car GPS mounted on my handlebars and I once overheard: "Look honey, he's watching TV while sitting in his lawn chair"

caloso

Reminds me that I meant to ask Santa for this t-shirt this Xmas.



Just to add: generally well thought out, lucid arguments in the comments section. Clearly, this was not from the Yahoo front page.

Looigi

Seriously. A recumbent is the worst because combines that hazards of sitting on a couch with those riding on the road...if you don't die of embarrassment first.

I-Like-To-Bike

Someone who voluntarily rides a recumbent is immune from being embarrassed.