http://www.radio86.co.uk/explore-learn/culture/4592/a-short-history-of-bicycles-in-china
Perhaps we live under the same perception here. Case in point, my
girlfriend gives a ride to this Mexican lady who's trying to survive
by doing hair. My girlfriend goes, "She's been waiting for the bus for
two hours to make it to the client." I go, "Why doesn't she ride the
bike I gave her?" "Oh, I wouldn't want to be sweaty before a client!"
she replies. (Long argument ensues) ;)
So ladies and gentlemen don't sweat... Are they aware that we are
animals? That we need to "burn the calories"? That it's important to
be POOR but HEALTHY? Maybe we will need to retrain the sheep so they
don't feel the need to buy another "little Toyota."
Enter the revolution... (no, I don't like Mao, just the bike culture
as an option)
"The founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 was a turning
point for the bicycle industry. The Party decided to promote the
bicycle as the people's vehicle and started a massive production
drive. Bicycles were taken into account in city planning and those who
used bicycles to travel to and from work were given benefits. The lack
of a public transport system was solved! China's first Five-Year Plan
included the growth of the bicycle industry by 60 percent, and by
1958, China was producing more than a million bicycles annually."
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THE WISE TIBETAN MONKEY SAYS
"Ride a bike, not a little Toyota!"
On Jun 10, 3:16 pm, "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, Creator of the
Movement of Tantra-Hammock" <comandante.ban...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> This is an interesting short story of the bicycle in China, and it
> states that "A gentleman doesn't sweat" was a popular perception
> before the acceptance of the bike.
>
> http://www.radio86.co.uk/explore-learn/culture/4592/a-short-history-o...
Back in my ballet company days the phrase was, "Men perspire, ladies glow,
horses and dancers sweat." And we did.
I see, they only liberate the animal when they have sex, I mean
procreate... ;)
> "Ride a bike, not a little Toyota!"
I do both! :-) Not at the same time though of course.
--
www.slowbicyclemovement.org - enjoy the ride
The Toyota makes sense after so many miles, but please "BIKE LOCALLY,
BUY LOCALLY."
I bought the Toyota locally, but I think actually it's made in the Czech
Republic!
I'm surprised they make Toyotas in the land of Skoda. Isn't that
unpatriotic? ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmR9q1RsUU
I liked these words: "Cars divide, bicycles unite."
I say A CITY WITHOUT RESPECT FOR BIKES IS A JUNGLE. I live in one.
I cycled in to work in the snow last winter. It was arguably safer than
taking the car - certainly no risk of having to abandon the vehicle, as
if the going gets tough it's always possible to dismount and walk.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmR9q1RsUU
>
> I liked these words: "Cars divide, bicycles unite."
>
> I say A CITY WITHOUT RESPECT FOR BIKES IS A JUNGLE. I live in one.
For the first time afaiaa, there was a piece about peak oil on one of
our main news programmes 'Newsnight' here. The message seemed to be
we're likely to start running out of it in about 5 years and there's
only enough for another 46 years, but that forecast is based on figures
from various oil-producing countries which we believe to be exaggerated.
I've noticed the younger petrol-heads at work are beginning to recognise
that the days of fast sports cars might be few for them.
But they are clinging to the profits to the last man. I think the
drive for profits will wipe out the human species by sheer GREED &
STUPIDITY.