Bike to the Future
Posted on 25. Jun, 2010 by Dean Maffie in Health
In the world of transportation the automobile has always been king of the road as opposed to its older, unhip relative, the bicycle. However the two wheeled tortoise may be well on its way to becoming a true competitor against the high octane hare. While nostalgically reflecting on bike riding around town as something we did back in your youths, when the days were longer and our legs were stronger; it may soon become the way we roll.
One of the primary benefits of biking is that you are connected with your environment and given the freedom of movement. Unlike the steel box you drive the bike requires that you move in order to move. When you are sitting behind the wheel there’s not much to do with your body except pressing your foot on either the brake or the gas. Being stationary for an extended period of time, as we do when we drive, has caused many a mild mannered citizen to behave in ways that would make Mr. Hyde look like a choir boy. The road rage that affects some drivers is in general nonexistent to the happy- go- lucky biker. Indeed, when the average bicyclist has been provoked into a ragefull moment by the time they peddle up to the offending party they have already worked off their aggression and are much to winded to get into a shouting match. Perhaps the road rage problem could be alleviated if cars were designed with a few stress relieving devices. Possibly a steering wheel that when tightly squeezed would have a large plastic tongue jut out from the hood of your car, or replace the fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror with a punching bag to be sparred with during traffic jams.
Not only does bike riding provide a healthy mind/body balance but it may also get you places quicker than your average automobile. Even though when you go shopping you may actually get there faster by car, the twenty minutes you spend waiting for parking space of some mother attempting to pack up her six kids’ defeats the purpose. Granted you may be limited as to what you can purchase from the local grocery store due to the fact you can only carry so much food in a backpack or basket. On the bright side you may end up cutting down on calories when you have to decide between a bunch of bananas or a bag of Doritos to transport home.
But there is a downside to biking, which are the ridiculous skin tight outfits that some people insist on wearing. Is it really necessary to dress up like a superhero in order to go two wheeling? In fact, unless you have the physique of Batman or Catwoman, keep your form to yourself and dress like a regular person. It would also be nice if someone came up with a bike helmet that didn’t make you like a walnut head. With a few modifications, not only would helmets function as safety gear but also make a bold fashion statement. Simply covering the plastic shell with a long hair wig would look quite stunning flowing in the breeze as you trekked your way around.
Of course there will always be those who may taint the bike riding revolution. There will still be people talking on their cell phones, putting on make up, and eating their lunches while riding. Just as long as no one starts installing 300 watt stereo systems in bike seats, we will all get to where we are going happier and healthier.
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