This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Friday, June 24, 2011

A glimmer of common sense in NYC

Everybody knows that New York city is the focal point for civilized life on the planet Earth.  Ask any New Yorker, he will explain it.  If you doubt the authority of the source, tune in to Letterman, he will corroborate the information.   Coming from the midwest, I have always resented the smug attitude that New Yorkers have about their city.  Well, someplace has to be the center of culture and civilization so there's no reason that New York can't claim the title (although Paris is nice and Zurich so civilized I could hardly relate).  It's that self righteous claim to civilized enlightenment that makes the bike wars of NYC so fascinating to me.
A few weeks ago the political satirist P.J. O'Rourke wrote a piece about bicycling in NYC which was the worst piece of misinformed conceited self ingratiating journalism I have ever seen.  It created a storm of criticism and an equally stupid rant from the Bike Snob NYC.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I, being a humble uncultured midwesterner, was intimidated and shocked to see these two erudite professionals act in such an unseemly way; but between those two and the police crackdown, I thought the city was going quickly insane.
There is a glimmer of hope.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal provides a saner and more intelligent look at the situation in the capital of civilization and culture.  Unlike the other two articles it makes for good reading and provides really pertinent information I highly recommend it.  The comments which follow on the other hand reduce the image of New Yorkers to that of crude stupid mudslingers in 3 piece suits.  The comments are fun to read.  The arguments between the "entitled" drivers and miscreant cyclists just go on and on.  The fight over the streets is entertaining but I think the bikes may be winning and making ground.  Not only did WSJ see the need to produce a better article, but the installation of complete streets continues and autos may finally be losing ground space.
The arguments will undoubtedly  continue but seriously, what kind of culture can see this
as preferable to this?
Posted by Marc at 8:00 AM
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