The Bicycle Alternative

[saint tim]

Back in my partying days I never did cocaine cause it was just too expensive of a drug.
I quit smoking when the prices skyrocketed.
And now our addiction to driving is seriously being messed with.
I told my wife after returning from a trip to Ft. Collins CO that I want to bike more. I've witnessed a community that can survive without cars, so why can't we.

So I half heartily cleaned off the bike. Now prices of gas have started to shoot up, they're not creeping, it seems like a dime every 3 days. It's insane!!!!

So now I'm selling my motorcycle in order to upgrade everyone's bike. They will all be outfitted with baskets and set ups for bags. We've already done a couple of grocery runs with back packs. It works! Luckily we live just shy of a mile from the store. We live within 2 miles of everything we could possibly need. There is no need to drive when you live that close. It's a waste of gas.

Children need to learn that they do not have to depend on cars. Growing up in the Twin Cities i never had nor needed a car. I didn't even get my drivers license until I was 21 and living in KC. Only after I found a job not within walking or biking distance.

Living out in the burbs this sadly make us the minority. It is not the popular mindset to breathe fresh air and sweat in order to get something done, it's all tractor mowers and SUVs.

Oh and guess what, I'm not putting weed killer on my lawn either (but thats another gripe)

[starshard0]

I walk everywhere I go, but if I ever needed to go farther than I do, I'd definitely consider using my bike. When I lived in South Dakota bike riding was easy because it was so flat, but there are a lot of hills where I live now.

[Rebecca]

Unfortunately my bicycle seat was stolen off of my bike when I had it chained up outside one day. Buying a new seat isn't in the budget right now, so I busted out my old roller skates. I can't begin to imagine how ridiculous I look.

[starshard0]

Roller skating? As long as you aren't all decked out in spandex it shouldn't look too ridiculous. I haven't skated in quite a while. But I might have to give it a try one day, it sure beats gas prices.

[saint tim]

I think I'm the only 37 year old who takes his dog for skateboard walks... at least in my neighborhood.

[starshard0]

Skateboard walks? You mean you stand on the board and your dog pulls you?

[saint tim]

yup.
Oh here is a great story about a family who live car free.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...arless28e.html

[kav122]

YAY, Minneapolis (again)

We bought our house next to the light rail station, so my husband rides that to work and we don't use the car unless we absolutely have to.


couple of questions about bikes though:

We have a little one...I have thought about the trailer but I have heard only one thing: "you HAVE to get a Burley--all of the other ones are heavy and cumbersome!!!" Normally I wouldn't pay attention to this kind of talk. But I haven't heard a single person that I have asked this question answer differently. What is anyone else's experience with like a First Step trailer or any other brand? (For those of you that don't know--Burley trailers are SUPER EXPENSIVE--even on craigslist they are $150 and up and that is way more than I want to pay!!)

Where do you get those baskets to hold groceries and stuff for cheap? Do they have a specific name that they go by? How much did they cost for you?