NewVA Moves

The Bike I Want

One of the things that has always bothered me about bicycling as a commute option is the perception that you need a lot of gear to pull it off.  A helmet is required, of course, but in Roanoke, at least, it has been the case that you don't see many people riding without the full lycra-costume, including those inappropriately tight pants.  For my brief overseas visits to England and China, it was not uncommon to see someone in a business suit riding down the street on an old Schwinn; that's just not something you see often around here, and its a shame.  The point of a bike, I would think, is the childlike simplicity of being able to hop on and just go.

Some bicycle manufacturers are responding to this by making bicycles that encourage casual, dress-down riding.  I've got a cheapie little coasting bike from Wal-Mart, for example, upon which I would look absolutely silly if I was dressed in full speed-riding regalia.  It's a bike made for shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops.  Expanding on this idea, a company called Shimano has created a family of Coasting bikes that are geared towards the casual, even commute, rider, with nice fat tires, springy seats, fenders, and chain-guards so you don't get your work pants all greast.  My favorite is the Raleigh coasting bike, and not just because its got a six-pack suitable rack on the front with a built-in bottle opener.

This is on my wish list.