Comments toddjanderson has made

  • Bikeways

    Don't forget that almost all cyclists are a subset of auto drivers. That said, I/we are already contributing extensively to the tax and use fees necessary to build infrastructure. I think the debate needs to tend away from recreational bike paths and towards cyclist friendly structure. For example, it's difficult and dangerous to commute to most downtown areas of many cities in the country. I would like to see the attitude of what is acceptable alternative transport to evolve into something that is useful to the subset of auto drivers knows as cyclists.On Eco-conscious gizmos for the enviro to lust after posted 1 year, 7 months ago 14 Responses

  • Bike Friday

    Bike Friday is truly a remarkable thing and I applaud your inclusion of it in your 10 Green Gadgets. I am troubled by some details that may at first seem trivial, but reflect an obstacle to the overall goal of green transportation.

    According to wikipedia, a "gadget" is defined as a small technological object (such as a device or an appliance) that has a particular function, but is often thought of as a novelty.

    The idea that Bike Friday, or any other cycle that is used for travel, is merely a "gadget" and often thought of as a novelty touches on a much deeper and systemic challenge. As long as our society relates to products such as this as something novel rather than a legitimate movement toward effective sustainable and enviro friendly travel, we will be inadvertently branding these attempts as fringe.

    The real core issues at stake reside in reframing the entire discussion about eco friendly transport so that policy makers see a legitimate and substantial link between the infrastructure that we build (e.g. roads, airport terminals, traffic safety systems) and the vehicles we use to get around on it.

    Let's not even for a moment slip into thinking that Bike Friday is anything less than a movement. I believe that Bike Friday is a reflection of the deep commitment that the founders and their followers share in creating a new possibility in travel and transportation. Let's be careful not to dumb down our collective efforts by calling this a gadget. Words can be very powerful. I believe that unless and until we can upgrade the conversation from what is "kick ass" and "cool" into what is "inspiring" and "transformational", we as green thought leaders run the risk of being made irrelevant.
    On Eco-conscious gizmos for the enviro to lust after posted 1 year, 7 months ago 14 Responses