Those bicycle builders big mistake!

In rec.bicycles.misc Mike Schwab wrote:


: Jim Adney wrote:
:
: On Wed, 17 Dec 2003 02:47:44 +0000 Garrison Hilliard
: wrote:

: This ignores the fact that the bicycle is a major source of pragmatic
: transportation for people and goods for a majority of the people of
: the world. It is only in the 1st world countries where the bicycle is
: seen as only a recreational product.

: Most of the world, and most of Europe, consider a bicycle serious
: transportation. Only the US, Canada, and a few European countries do
: not treat bicycles as serious vehicles.

Not sure how serious the bicycle is in the third world...
consider say Africa. If everything is in walking distance, you
don't need it. It might be just a specialty item for the rich.
The roads might be too bad for cycling. And often the local power
elites are so fond of cars they build the roads for them, not
bicycles.

Traffic planners also seem to assume the bike is something people
ride leisurely for recreation, not something that is supposed to
provide fast transportation.

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/