Bike Forums - The utility cycling 'image'

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Utility Cycling (https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-cycling/)

- - The utility cycling 'image' (https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-cycling/364530-utility-cycling-image.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightshade (Post 5689270)

"Utility" cycling and "Utility" cyclist in North America for the last 100 yrs
have been largely the poor and the odd balls due to the vast number of
cars on the roads. In Europe and the rest of the world these same cyclist
are viewed as "ordinary folk's" traveling in a "normal" manner.

The car culture in North America will take a long time to kill but die it must
as the cost to support the infrastructure and fuel issues will make the car
to expensive for the masses. These same masses will need mass transport
in the form of rail and busses with the road infrastructure modified to accomodate
more cyclist than ever before.

There will be pain in this change over but it's North America's fault so grin and
bear it. For now it will be tough to be on the leading edge of this painful change
but it's always that way for folk's on the leading edge of any change.

I hate to break this to you but there will never be an end to autos until autos are replaced by some other technology like anti gravity surfboards. Bicycles cannot, never could, never will be able to do all the things people use automobiles for and for the reasons they need those things done. Bicycles can help reduce dependency, can simplyfy life, can do many good things but one of them is not replacing automobiles for EVERYBODY, not ever going to happen ever.

LC

Quote:

Originally Posted by qmsdc15 (Post 12336873)

I spotted this guy today who looked a little down on his luck, but maybe he's just dressing down.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC09380.jpg

Maybe he's moving his stuff.

Is that the tail of a seal sticking out there? Looks like he's boosting sea critters to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 12343678)

However! These are the bearded and tattooed dudes on Harleys, lowridres, touring motorcycles, etc. I'm talking about, not the kids on sportsbikes. These, like SUV drivers, would buzz you whenever they can. And it seems there is a schism between these two groups too.

Makes Roadies and Hipsters look like besties.

In these parts, I have notice that it does not so much matter what I am wearing or what I am riding but WHERE I am riding. In the city center, if I am riding in the city center, the people in the expensive cars and SUVs buzz by me. "One of those poor people in my way" and the "poor folks" in the crummy cars give me enough room. Out in the countryside, the bondo-painted, windows down-because-we-cant afford-to-fix-the AC, whooptie crowd tries to run me off the road (stupid rich guy on his bicycle). BMWs wait in line behind me to try to pass safely (sine I am one of them, I guess).

It was a car seat, though why he hauled it around is a mystery.

I captured a couple of images of utility bikers recently, but failed to get their machines fully in the frame. Sorry.

A few days ago.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC03718.jpg

Today, preparing for the hurricane. Are there more sandbags below that shelf? Sangbags are heavy!
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/r.../DSC037471.jpg

I don't usually post on threads like this, but feel I can contribute on this one.

I have noticed a slow trend here in my little town of 12,000. When I first got back on a bike here, I appeared to be the only one, at least for the first year or so. Now, 5 years later, I can't go anywhere without meeting or seeing another cyclist. Maybe I started a trend? The majority of them are adults, with only a few school aged youngsters.

For the most part, these other cyclists appear to be trim and fit, with the occasional "clydesdale" like me. The point being, that because they are seeing me out there every day, it is becoming more accepted to be seen on a bike.

While I cannot be sure, the slow increase in cyclists here appears to have brought some action from the city council. An ordinance has been passed requiring cagers to give at least 3' clearance when passing a bicycle.
It could have come about due to the high incidences of motorists passing me and other cyclists with only inches to spare, and being seen doing this by members of our council. So far, there doesn't seem to have been any reports of cyclists having gotten hit by anyone, but that may only be a matter of time.

I am primarily a utility rider, using the bike on my daily paper deliveries (see post in "what utility rides" thread). I prefer to use the bike for my trips to the hardware store etc. over using the car or truck. Gets me there and back in the same amount of time as it would using powered vehicles.

Is riding across the country for cancer "utility riding"? He has a trailer...

Rode here from California.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC03824.jpg

Donate!

I think we should test ride a utility cycle (or any cycle) with a blindfold (if that were possible). Function is always what matters (to me). I'm sick to death of retailers who think that bikes are a fashion accessory. Having said that I don't want to look like a circus act .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_R (Post 13140681)

I have noticed a slow trend here in my little town of 12,000. When I first got back on a bike here, I appeared to be the only one, at least for the first year or so. Now, 5 years later, I can't go anywhere without meeting or seeing another cyclist. Maybe I started a trend? The majority of them are adults, with only a few school aged youngsters.

Or maybe gasoline just got expensive.