No wonder no one rides bicycles!

From the Indianapolis Star, 1980:

"Not only are bicycles dangerous, they are as antiquated a form of transportation as the rickshaw. In no advanced city on earth will you find civilized people cycling to work. The urban cyclist is generally a crank, either profoundly antisocial or hopelessly narcissistic and following the strenuous life in hopes of achieving immortality or a legendary sex life. When you encounter him give him a wide berth and never turn your back on him."

Check out the whole article here.

The Downside of Riding

Parents & Kids (Take II)

Last year, I posted several photographs of parents and their children on bicycles. Their numbers seem to have doubled. Here are some parents, showing how to do it in style:

Some parents prefer the rear-style Cargo bike

which can be used as a stroller...


A very Euro front bike-seat.


The ultimate goal being, of course, to get them on their own bikes. That's how you propagate a bike culture.

But, if I ever have a kid, I'm getting one of these:

(photo from Christiania)

A Bike Culture

People in normal clothes, doing normal things... on their bikes.

Hauling oranges

Heading to yoga class


Going to work (or racing cars?)


Going out on a Saturday Night.

Why Bloominghagen?

What right-minded town wouldn't want to emulate Copenhagen? Here is a wonderful video to demonstrate why:




As part of my role as a commissioner on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission, I have advocated for segregated bike lanes and identifiable paths (including colored lanes) that run through intersections. These measures would drastically increase the safety of bicyclists because they would be separated from traffic and more visible when crossing intersections.

Wouldn't it be nice if Bloominghagen looked like this?


(Thanks to Mikael at Copenhagenize for his images, videos, and, well, leading the advocacy for this cause)

Props for Bloomington

Let there be no doubt: much can be done to improve Bloomington's bike-ability. But, in my criticism, it may seem as if I believe that Bloomington has done nothing to promote a bicycling and pedestrian friendly city. To the contrary, for a small town in Indiana, Bloomington has done much. To wit, the amazing B-Line trail.


This trail, which will eventually link to a Rails-to-Trail south of the city, is on what used to be part of the Monon rail line. After phase 1, the paved trail goes from 2nd street to 11th Street, which is straight through downtown Bloomington. The highlight of the trail is right outside City Hall, where, every weekend, people converge on the Farmer's Market.

I'll just say it: I love the B-Line. It is beautiful. It is easy. It is fast. And since it opened late last Spring, I have seen tons of people use it to walk to shops, the farmer's market, and restaurants. I can easily hop on from my neighborhood, and in about 5 minutes be at my office. From my office, I can quickly walk on the B-Line to Bloomingfoods for lunch or dinner provisions. With the B-line, my commute is fast and safe, not to mention scenic.

Here are some photographs of the trail.

Artwork on the B-Line.

My other half (on the bike) stopping for breakfast at Le Petit Cafe's walk-up window.

The Farmer's Market, on Saturday (above and below).