Open Bicycle

That is correct, the Times is changing.  Two or three years ago the New York Times was publishing articles about hybrid vehicles and improved public transportation, now it’s Dutch Bicycles, three-piece suits and wool cycling jerseys.

With all of this fresh press has come fresh criticism – some of which I am a bit a bothered by.  So, my response: Anyone stating that these articles are nothing but an attempt to turn cycling into a fashion show and a promotion to the well-to-do is absolutely close-minded.  Anything that promotes riding a bicycle is good in my book, whether its riding a Traitor in cut-off Dickies and Vans or a Dutch bicycle in tailored trousers and Sidi’s.  To each his own; convert a basement find or call Independent Fabrications – at the end of the day, it all takes self-motivation and two wheels.  I have come to accept the fact that as the popularity of a subject increases, so does the criticism – its an unfortunate habit of pop culture.  However, this isn’t a heavily charged topic, we are talking about bicycles, just bicycles!  It should be considered one of America’s pasttimes, after all, for most, it is a nostalgia of childhood.

If you didn’t catch yesterdays article in the NYT, Riding the IT Factor, I suggest should read it.  The article is focused around the WWII-era Dutch Bicycle, something that we and the rest of Somerville are quite fond of. My only real gripe with the article is a statement that attorney James Vicente made, “I never ride with a helmet either, even when people are telling me I’m an idiot. Riding a bike should be normal, and you shouldn’t have to wear a funny Styrofoam hat.”  I don’t really know what to say about his comment, except that anyone who thinks wearing a helmet alienates you from the cycling norm has probably hit the pavement one too many times.  The ostensibly well-educated attorney was also discredited after the article noted he rides a fixed-conversion, and then quoting him saying, “Juxtapose that (the dutch bicycle) with the most fashionable bikes in New York now, the fixed-gear bikes, which are really impractical.”  I completely disagree with the statement that the fixed-gear bicycle is impractical, but we’ll save that conversation for another time.

If you missed the April 2, 2009 article, In These Clothes, You Can Go Far, it provides a good look into Rapha.  With all of this said, it is great to see publications such as the NYT investing resources and time into cycling, anything that promotes riding a bicycle is good in my book.  Now Go Ride Your Bike!