JULY 11, 2008

The Bicycle Of The Future

I am always in a hurry when I am driving to get somewhere.  But while I want to travel fast, at the same time I also would like to help the environment, save on gas, and get my exercise.  What better solution than the bicycle?  If we stop to think for a moment, isn’t that the obvious solution to high gas prices, global warming, and obesity?

The obstacles are obvious, however.  You can’t take your kids to soccer practice on your bike.  The postal service may not be impeded by ”snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night”, but I am.  And unless I only have to travel a short distance, I won’t even consider it.

Something needs to happen to make the bike more user-friendly.  First, why not make it electric? Next, make it semi-recumbent with a roof.   Finally, add a passenger attachment for my child.  As it appears, all these things are currently possible.  It won’t be long before someone thinks to put them all together.

If the design is perfect, and I have the will to do it, what will make me take the leap from car to bike?  Peer pressure.  If I look around, and I see that using a bike for everyday transportation is becoming trend-setting, cutting edge, statement-making behavior,  it won’t seem so formidable.  It doesn’t hurt if your favorite celebs are seen setting the stage for the transformation.  Look at Barack Obama - one of the first things he did after clinching the Democratic nomination was to go ride a bike.   

Right now it seems unlikely that I will ever make this transition to a new mode of transportation.  Yet, I hope some day we can emulate the Chinese and make room for both cars and bikes in our lives.  Who knows, maybe someday my electric bike will be parked in my driveway next to my electric car.