The bicycle really hasn’t changed all that much over a century: two wheels, pedals, chain, handlebars. For the most part we associate it with leisure and, of late, maybe international racing. But for the most part, we think kids. 
It’s the transportation of children; something that marks a developmental turning point in their ability to balance and steer. They ride to a friend’s house or down to the store for candy. Bikes sprawled on a front yard shows an after school gathering.
In the USA the car culture has, for the most part, limited the bicycle to this image. Sure, there have always been adult road racers and Sunday bike clubs, long distance touring and some commuters. But our great regional distances and the building of suburbia have prevented the bike from moving out of the leisure mold and into bonafide transportation. A mindset change is necessary.
It's not hard to conjure up images of cycling in most other parts of the world. (I'm sure you don't need more photos.) All ages. All types of trips. All types of items carried. All sharing the urban streets with cars and respected as such.Pedal Power = Good Health + Zero Emissions + Zero Fossil Fuel Use
And
Downsizing from the current car culture to a cleaner and healthier alternative transportation will take a change in personal perspective; a change in habits of the mind; an education. Just like cutting back on home electrical power. Just like driving easy for the best mileage. Just like buying locally. Just like boycotting bottled water. Just like bringing high speed rail to Wisconsin.
What more natural way to make this transition than by showing every kid the practical aspects of their two wheels, then setting the expectation (through modeling) that the bike will be their close friend for the rest of their lives.
An increasingly vibrant bike culture needs to make an appearance in this country very soon. How can we add the image of transportation to the image of leisure?
Animation: "Thoughts On My Bike" (!!)
Resources: For starters
The Bike Federation of Wisconsin - statewide voice for all cycling
Share and Beware - road safety skill program (BikeFed)
What more natural way to make this transition than by showing every kid the practical aspects of their two wheels, then setting the expectation (through modeling) that the bike will be their close friend for the rest of their lives.An increasingly vibrant bike culture needs to make an appearance in this country very soon. How can we add the image of transportation to the image of leisure?
Animation: "Thoughts On My Bike" (!!)
Resources: For starters
The Bike Federation of Wisconsin - statewide voice for all cycling
Share and Beware - road safety skill program (BikeFed)
Safe Routes To School - planning and practicing riding to school (BikeFed)
Madison Dept of Public Works - Bicycle Safety Educator Steve Meiers
Wheels for Winners of Madison; helping kids
Madison Dept of Public Works - Bicycle Safety Educator Steve Meiers
Wheels for Winners of Madison; helping kids
History of Trek Bikes in WI - our own two-wheeled manufacturer
Race Across America - the ultimate endurance race
Adventure Cycling - everything long distance since 1976
Bike Parking - community grocery store parking
Bike Rental Article - hot off the press from Middleton, WI
"Will the Post Oil Future Be Bicycle Free?" - provocative article re: auto roadways and bikes
"Extreme Human-Powered Delivery" - wait till you see these pedal-powered resources (photos)
"The Future of Travel" - biking perspective from the Huffington Post
"Extreme Human-Powered Delivery" - wait till you see these pedal-powered resources (photos)
"The Future of Travel" - biking perspective from the Huffington Post
