I will believe the Saudis don't see any upcoming problems with Ghawar when they cancel one of their projects due to low oil prices. If they continue to be full steam ahead with increasing their capacity then I think they are aware that Ghawar may not be as robust in 5 years time as they would like us to believe.
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject: Bicycle civilization
I'm seeing way more people on bicycles in NYC nowadays. And not just the usual groups of yuppies and delivery boys. It appears that way more normal people are riding to work now. And there also seemed to have developed a group of people who ride to transport goods around Manhattan. _________________ http://backtowilderness.blogspot.com http://grown-up-permaculture.com
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
I'm seeing an increase in ridership too, but it's nothing I wouldn't attribute to the usual fair weather riders who come out in the Spring and Summer... _________________ In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule. – Nietzsche
Time makes more converts than reason. – Thomas Paine
History is a set of lies agreed upon. – Napoleon Bonaparte
Joined: Sep 29, 2005 Posts: 456 Location: I heard we are not the real America..Eugene, Oregon.
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
For sure, the sunny weather folks are out in force, and as one of my co-workers put it...I would expect to see more people on the bike path into town in the morning with 4 buck gas.....I still see the regular faces on my way into work every day, not many new. Maybe when it hits 6-7 bucks? Props to those who do commute year round and even those who try and stick to it a few times a week!
My dream is to catch a peloton of 10 or more riders into work every day!
Catbox _________________ Punk is not really a style of music. It was more like a state of mind.
-Mike Watt
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 873 Location: Tustin, CA
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Here in Orange County California I definitely see more people (mostly men) riding their bicycle to work each morning than I did 5 years ago when I started.
About 2003 the only others I saw riding to work on bicycles in the morning besides myself were a few older illegal alien men whose only other choice was walking or riding the bus.
In really just the last year I’ve noticed a number of Anglo men riding each day down the same busy street I use. Not a vast number yet, but noticeably more then there were. Problem for most people working here is they live too damn far to ride a bike. More than half my co-workers live over 25 miles from work-and they pay an increasing price for it now in dollars and not just time. _________________ Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan
Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 804 Location: Alif Lam Mim
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Since I've started commuting on a bike (only three days so far), I've thought about the need for more bicycle lanes, etc. I realize that gas taxes are what pays for the roads and since I use the road (barely) but pay no taxes for it, I'm getting a free ride. I'd have no problem paying the tax, which would be just a few bucks a year. But it got me thinking, shouldn't we start a national and state groups of bikers so that we can more effectively petition government for more bike lanes, bike rakes (for security), and so forth?
The great thing about bikes is the independence from nearly everyone. But we've "become" independent of each other as well which dampens voices.
I think that if people got together and demanded more bike paths, lanes and whatnot, then it would provide an easier way for people to commute since they wouldn't have to share the road so much with SUV's and trucks. This would help transition people towards an oil-less life.
But if there is one, lemme know. I'd like to join. _________________ Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 873 Location: Tustin, CA
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
3aidlillahi wrote:
Since I've started commuting on a bike (only three days so far), I've thought about the need for more bicycle lanes, etc. I realize that gas taxes are what pays for the roads and since I use the road (barely) but pay no taxes for it, I'm getting a free ride. I'd have no problem paying the tax, which would be just a few bucks a year. But it got me thinking, shouldn't we start a national and state groups of bikers so that we can more effectively petition government for more bike lanes, bike rakes (for security), and so forth?
The great thing about bikes is the independence from nearly everyone. But we've "become" independent of each other as well which dampens voices.
I think that if people got together and demanded more bike paths, lanes and whatnot, then it would provide an easier way for people to commute since they wouldn't have to share the road so much with SUV's and trucks. This would help transition people towards an oil-less life.
But if there is one, lemme know. I'd like to join.
Your in luck 3aidlillahi. There already is such an organization and it's been around for over 100 years. It's the League of American Bicyclists . In its incarnation the League of American Wheelmen, it was a driving force in getting streets and highways around cities paved from it's founding in the 1880's before automobiles!
I've added a link below to their home page.
League of American Bicyclists _________________ Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
In Barcelona, there has been a huge increase of bicycle riding. The city has provided a new service, bikes on rent, that you can pick and park in different places around the city for a small annual fee.
A lot of people ride on those now. There must be a reduction in car and motorbike circulation, though honestly I do not notice it. Too many people here!
BTW, I always ride my own bike to go to work.
Joined: Sep 29, 2004 Posts: 2330 Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
The only problem is that you get off your bicycle at the supermarket, walk inside and find empty shelves. The human machine requires food and unfortunately that is not delivered via bike to the stores. _________________ "That's the problem with mercy, kid... It just ain't professional" - Fast Eddie, The Color of Money
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Bicycles have always been popular in most European Cities. Here is my local City, Cambridge, UK.
However more and more i see these bicycle trailers for goods and kids! Wasn't like that when i was a kid, I would sit on a child seat strapped to the back and my brother would sit in the front basket. Then my Mother would have to balance us while riding! Not like these yuppie Mothers with 'child on tow'. In the future i expect we will see bicycle lorrys, 4 riders carrying a trailer of goods. You already get bicycle stalls. Seen here. Old picture, but i see them today still. _________________ April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 873 Location: Tustin, CA
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:51 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Kingcoal wrote:
The only problem is that you get off your bicycle at the supermarket, walk inside and find empty shelves. The human machine requires food and unfortunately that is not delivered via bike to the stores.
Huh? _________________ Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan
Joined: Sep 17, 2005 Posts: 176 Location: The Netherlands
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Bicycle sales are also up here in the Netherlands. I also heard about a run on some electric bicycle which helps you drive a little faster while still pedalling yourself.
I will definitely buy a good bike myself as it is one of the most efficient transportation there is. _________________ The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 420 Location: East edge of the Milky Way
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:48 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
Bicycle civilization sounds good to me! I chucked my vehicle 2 years ago, and have never looked back. I own 5 bikes, 4 of which I found in dumpsters(another favorite pastime of mine). I fixed them all up and now the whole family has a bike, with one spare one in case of a breakdown. I feel good that I saved these bikes from going into the landfill...seems such a shame.
I am fortunate to live off of a major bike path in my city, but at he same time we certainly need more paths.
I used to commute to work by bike into the city next door to mine(20 km one way)for eleven years, including the snowy winters here(had a snow rigged winter beater for that harebrainned operation)
Now work is across the street, but I bike everywhere, Shopping(food, clothes you name it, but nothing larger than a t.v.), visiting, entertainment, recreation...
On my day off I bicycle to a nearby park/community garden, near a major thoroughfare and sit on the grass and watch all the motorists tear by hurrying to destinations unknown. Feels good to get off that hamster wheel!(and on to a bicycle wheel)
Cheers
Alex
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle civilization
I'm all for more bicycle ridership. I just wish we had more bike trails in our city, ones that would truly allow people to commute to their places of work. We have tons of trails in the river valley, but these link to a relatively small number of destinations. I think a couple of lanes restricted to bicycle use, on the larger thoroughfares, with a physical barrier between cyclists and the motor traffic would do wonders to encourage bike riders, myself included.
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