I hate the green comments
#126
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That study by professor Ulrich of Wharton was based on the assumption that if a couch potato car commuter switched to cycle commuting they would get healthier and live longer. His analysis suggested they might save a little energy, but only a trivial amount in the big picture. But generally the switch to bike commuting, or going beyond that and living car free, involves more than just that one change, such as eventually moving closer to work, owning one less car and replacing it less often, etc. Furthermore, if the non-cyclist was keeping fit by going to the gym etc. before switching to bike commuting, then the longevity argument fails.
https://opim.wharton.upenn.edu/~ulric...viro-jul06.pdf
https://opim.wharton.upenn.edu/~ulric...viro-jul06.pdf
#127
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Probably the number one reason I commute by bicycle is because I like being self-reliant. Yeah, I like to save a little money. I like to save the miles on my car when I can. It happens that my bike is even faster than the subway, which is prone to delays and congestion as well. I like that I can fix my bike myself if I have to, and pretty cheaply so. It's about common sense and sustainability, which is about being green also. It's the way I prefer to live my life. My Mom always told me, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." Obeying what Nature asks for is in keeping with that, so I am having fun and doing something green--environmentally low-impact and sustainable. Incidentally, Al Gore may not be likable enough to get himself elected president, but he is neither stupid, nor wrong. I encourage folks to watch the film he stars in--"An Inconvenient Truth." Predictive science is rarely 100% reliable--just look at weather reports--but it is also generally correct--just look at weather reports! Many of the facts, like the burst in world population growth are incontrovertible facts with implications for the future. One man suggested that any fuel he saves will be used by another in India or China. Just look at the traffic jam in China in the news recently. Demand will outstrip supply sooner than expected, I think, so the sooner we learn to live with less oil, the better.
#128
Banned
Given they are made of parts shipped around the world several times, and trucked across the continent,
the carbon debt owed just to put one on the Bike store floor is large..
and the engineering keeps making the new/latest Bling at the expense of the good enough..
TdeF has a huge carbon footprint , team cars buses trucks Motorcycles .. the Press coverage is all Motorized,
and all those Fans driving across Europe to park by a particular roadside in July .
the carbon debt owed just to put one on the Bike store floor is large..
and the engineering keeps making the new/latest Bling at the expense of the good enough..
TdeF has a huge carbon footprint , team cars buses trucks Motorcycles .. the Press coverage is all Motorized,
and all those Fans driving across Europe to park by a particular roadside in July .
#130
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How is this different than a car though? Actually I doubt the carbon footprint of a single bike is that large considering that parts are shipped in bulk. Certainly getting a used bike is that much better. I haven't bought a new bike in almost 20 years. Come to think of it, I've never bought a new car.
#132
born again cyclist
i don't mind if people make comments about me being "green" for my bike commuting, but i'll always remind them that the primary reason i ride to work everyday is because it's so much damn fun. all of the other reasons to ride all fall into place after that, and the order is mostly irrelevant because "fun" takes up the first 10 spots on the list
#133
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For me it's fun most of the time. My wife asked me if I ever get tired of it and I don't. However, there are mornings in January and February when I wake up to a howling NW wind and it's still dark outside. I don't want to check the temperature 'cause I know it won't be pleasant. On those days I more motivated by the challenge than by the fun.
It'll likely be in the 90's again today on the way home and I'll still probably add a few extra miles to my commute. I'm not that bothered by it but it's not as bad here as it gets some places.
It'll likely be in the 90's again today on the way home and I'll still probably add a few extra miles to my commute. I'm not that bothered by it but it's not as bad here as it gets some places.
Last edited by tjspiel; 08-30-10 at 12:43 PM.
#134
Bike addict, dreamer
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I visit other forums but BF is one of a very small handful I attempt participation in.
Personally I think saying, "Hey man, we fight much less than other guys so you really shouldn't complain about that" is being part of the problem, not the solution. Its like saying, "I only cheated on my wife once. This other guy I know cheated with 3 different women and even has a secret family, so Im not that bad."*
Personally I think saying, "Hey man, we fight much less than other guys so you really shouldn't complain about that" is being part of the problem, not the solution. Its like saying, "I only cheated on my wife once. This other guy I know cheated with 3 different women and even has a secret family, so Im not that bad."*
#135
Prefers Cicero
I believe he limited his discussion purely to the energy costs of driving vs biking all else being equal, so if cycling is associated with other changes in consumption as well, he didn't address them. So if you want to lower your carbon footprint and the only thing you do is switch to biking to work, you aren't going to have much impact.
#136
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#137
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#138
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The comments that bother me are those like when a man was hit in town here, not killed but injured and the driver left the scene. 3 different people emailed me the story.
I mean, WTF? Do I email everyone that drives a car every time someone gets injured or killed in a car?
I mean, WTF? Do I email everyone that drives a car every time someone gets injured or killed in a car?
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#139
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i don't mind if people make comments about me being "green" for my bike commuting, but i'll always remind them that the primary reason i ride to work everyday is because it's so much damn fun. all of the other reasons to ride all fall into place after that, and the order is mostly irrelevant because "fun" takes up the first 10 spots on the list
The comments that bother me are those like when a man was hit in town here, not killed but injured and the driver left the scene. 3 different people emailed me the story.
I mean, WTF? Do I email everyone that drives a car every time someone gets injured or killed in a car?
I mean, WTF? Do I email everyone that drives a car every time someone gets injured or killed in a car?