tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4803373792643404887.post5747505864968252742..comments2023-08-16T23:02:54.163-05:00Comments on FIX MEMPHIS: Bicycle Film Festival, MemphisCorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09499913005777065209noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4803373792643404887.post-39223734900296337842009-06-11T09:25:45.234-05:002009-06-11T09:25:45.234-05:00I think Kermit is right about this. The critical ...I think Kermit is right about this. The critical factor for increasing ridership is not a lack of affordable bicycle materials. <br /><br />I do think, however, well-tuned bicycles are more of a precious commodity than the Walmart junkers. As a result, a well-tuned bicycle does usually cost more than an un-tuned, ill-fitting, two-wheeled nightmare. <br /><br />That being said, many people everyday (especially here in our fair city) ride such bikes. <br /><br />The biggest inhibition, in my opinion (seconded by Jeff Mapes in his interview with Carol Colletta [anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com]), is a perceived and often very real lack of safety in the roadways. <br /><br />But as Kevin Costner demonstrated in the 1989 runaway hit, "Field of Dreams," if you build it, they will come. <br /><br />Cyclists need better protection in the roadways from motor vehicles before a significant increase in mode share will occur. Again, as with affodable bicycles, infrastructure is not the sole factor involved but I would contend that in our present situation, it is the most important factor. <br /><br />Bicycle availability and affordability is thus less of a factor in increasing miles traveled by bicycle in America than a perceived lack of safety resulting from insignificant bicycle infrastructure. <br /><br />There is a causal effect--not a correlative effect--between Copenhagen's construction of dozens and dozens of seperated bicycle tracks each year and its 36% mode share for bicycles.Anthony C. Siracusahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4803373792643404887.post-72040100398825480222009-06-10T11:35:36.448-05:002009-06-10T11:35:36.448-05:00This is not really related, but I was thinking abo...This is not really related, but I was thinking about the conversation that was had around the ever burning toilet paper roll... <br /><br />Making bicycles cheaper won't make more people ride bikes, America has the most bikes per capita but that doesn't mean we ride the most. I think the cost of bicycles is not the main factor. People drop thousands of dollars to buy a hybrid to "save the planet" they overlook the bicycle all together because it's not marketed at the same rate as cars are. <br /><br />Those were some random thoughts bouncing around in my head on the ride to work this morning...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com