The hidden potential of bicycles. “Bicycles have been used for so long as children’s toys and exercise equipment that we forget what useful technology they represent. They multiply our bodies’ speed and efficiency many times over.”
Advertise here with Carbon Ads
This site is made possible by member support. ❤️
Big thanks to Arcustech for hosting the site and offering amazing tech support.
When you buy through links on kottke.org, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting the site!
kottke.org. home of fine hypertext products since 1998.
Discussion 8 comments
Is it bad that I judge the spandex crowd for this reason? Any time I see a cyclist in full Lance Armstrong regalia, including multi-thousand dollar road bike, I just think this cements bikes more as some sort of fancy hobby and not a viable mode of transportation, which it totally is.
I understand Dutch has two completely different words for these and they're understood to be distinct activities more or less. "Fietsen" refers to the practical or recreational everyday activity and "wielrennen" is what they spandex crowd is doing.
There are two different words in German as well: "Fahrrad" for a normal, everyday bike, and "Rennrad" for a racing bike. Everyone has got a Fahrrad, only a few people additionally own a Rennrad.
That's why I don't refer to myself as a cyclist, but a normie bicycler. A button down shirt is my go-to bicycle shirt.
Cycling is a many headed beast, judging any part of it based on your versions seem fraught with danger - I span multiple depending if I’m commuting, riding for fun or for fitness. Better that we all get excited that maybe the automobilization of our cities has reached its apex and the future looks like it will have more pedals. And there is always Portlandia -
Darn, my link:
https://youtu.be/V3nMnr8ZirI?si=P0tGYSLAyWx7rmNQ
I realized with the mention of Low-tech magazine in this article that it's never been linked here, and I think that they're coming at sustainability from a pretty unique angle that readers here would appreciate.
Great article! Bicycles are one of my favorite parts of being human. I love hearing about how they are the most efficient multiplier of human energy output while at the same time being FUN AS HELL!!!! Confused even with being a toy. So this means that a form of “play” is a key to a healthier future—for both Earth and our own individual bodies. What’s not to love?
Judging the whole endeavor on the basis of a specific style of dress, bike, or riding behavior is disturbingly short-sighted. But oh well. Making superficial, petty, and self-defeating judgements is another of our special human talents.
Hello! In order to leave a comment, you need to be a current kottke.org member. If you'd like to sign up for a membership to support the site and join the conversation, you can explore your options here.
Existing members can sign in here. If you're a former member, you can renew your membership.
Note: If you are a member and tried to log in, it didn't work, and now you're stuck in a neverending login loop of death, try disabling any ad blockers or extensions that you have installed on your browser...sometimes they can interfere with the Memberful links. Still having trouble? Email me!
In order to leave a comment, you need to be a current kottke.org member. Check out your options for renewal.
This is the name that'll be displayed next to comments you make on kottke.org; your email will not be displayed publicly. I'd encourage you to use your real name (or at least your first name and last initial) but you can also pick something that you go by when you participate in communities online. Choose something durable and reasonably unique (not "Me" or "anon"). Please don't change this often. No impersonation..
Note: I'm letting folks change their display names because the membership service that kottke.org uses collects full names and I thought some people might not want their names displayed publicly here. If it gets abused, I might disable this feature.
If you feel like this comment goes against the grain of the community guidelines or is otherwise inappropriate, please let me know and I will take a look at it.
Hello! In order to leave a comment, you need to be a current kottke.org member. If you'd like to sign up for a membership to support the site and join the conversation, you can explore your options here.
Existing members can sign in here. If you're a former member, you can renew your membership.
Note: If you are a member and tried to log in, it didn't work, and now you're stuck in a neverending login loop of death, try disabling any ad blockers or extensions that you have installed on your browser...sometimes they can interfere with the Memberful links. Still having trouble? Email me!