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This machine kills fascists, fat, and bankers

hedgeless_horseman's picture




 

"No single raindrop ever feels like it is responsible for the flood."

 
Speaking of raindrops, one of my favorite movies of all time is Butch Cassidy and The Sundance KidThe bicycle scene with Butch and Etta is unforgettable.  Like many, I grew up riding a bike.  I learned at a young age how to fix a flat and put on the chain.  I loved the freedom of riding around town.  My first stitches, five in the chin, were earned in a bike wreck that was caused by me.  Consequences are such a powerful thing. 

Sadly, kids these days tend to text their friends, or chat virtually inside an x-box game, rather than ride over to each other's home.

The bicycle is an amazing piece of technology that is capable of solving at least a few of our modern day health, financial, and energy problems.  Consider that in many parts of the world where bicycles are the norm there is usually far less obesity, debt, and reliance on imported oil and the offensive war machine that is required to invade nations and murder people so that we may take their oil.

Bicycles are elegant...

Bicycles are efficient...

Bicycles are effective...

 

When widely adopted, bicycles can have a big effect on a population.

While Europe is getting fatter, the Netherlands is getting thinner. It’s the only country in which the World Health Organization (WHO) is predicting a decline in obesity rates.

One reason, possibly the main reason, the Dutch are not getting more obese is bicycles:

In the Netherlands 27% of all trips and 25% of trips to work are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person per day is 2.5 km. Holland and bicycles go together like bread and jam. Despite the recession the cycle-happy Dutch are still spending a lot of money on their bicycles – nearly 1 billion euros’ worth a year. About 1.3 million bicycles were sold in the Netherlands in 2009, at an average price of 713 euros ($1,008) each. Amsterdam (the capital and largest city of the Netherlands) is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world. It has 400 km of bike lanes and nearly 40% of all commutes in Amsterdam are done on bike.

 

 

For comparison:

 

 

In the USA only 0.9% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person is 0.1 km.

Minneapolis, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, and Boston are consistently ranked among the top bicycle cities in the USA.  You will not find one of these five cities among the 25 fattest cities in the USA.  Houston is the fattest city in the USA, is also probably the very worst for bicycles, and was ranked second by county for gasoline consumption, just behind Los Angeles.

 

The economics are obvious: 

How do average people afford a $33,560 car when they make $28,031 in a year?  Debt, of course!

Through early September, Wall Street firms issued nearly $70 billion in securities backed by auto loans, up 9% from the same period a year ago, according to J.P. Morgan. About $21 billion of those were backed by subprime loans to relatively risky borrowers.

 

Subprime car-loan originations have taken off in recent years as lenders have loosened underwriting criteria in this sector, allowing for borrowers with low, and often no, credit scores to get access to financing. During the first half of 2015, lenders gave out $56.4 billion in subprime auto loans, up 13% from the same period a year ago and up 181% from the first half of 2009, when the market for these loans bottomed out, according to credit-reporting firm Equifax Inc.

 

 

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-22/auto-loan-market-reminds-me-wha...

 

In contrast, I recently bought this folding bike for less than $300.  It was made in China, which I now regret, but if you are willing to spend more than $1,000, then you can get one made in the USA.  They easily fold up in about 10 seconds to put it in the back of a car, carry it on a train, throw it in the storage under a bus, or take it up the elevator to an apartment or office.  No gasoline expense.  No insurance expense.  No parking expense. 

So, if you are are sick from being overweight, tired of bombing brown people to steal their oil, and want to know something you can do about it, TODAY , that will also improve your personal financial situation, then ditch the car and ride a bike.  You will feel better, and better about yourself, and remember, no single raindrop ever feels like it is responsible for the flood.

 

Go Dutch!

Be well!

Peace!

 

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Sun, 11/08/2015 - 07:25 | 6763522 Chairman
Chairman's picture

I own several e-bikes and scooters here in China.  They all run on Lithium Ion 18650 cells and the only problem I have had with the batteries is letting them get wet.  I had a 48V 20AH pack go into a Fukushima meltdown because of corrosion caused by moisture.  This article has inspired me to get a new bicycle.  I have no excuse, it is an easy short ride with no hills and I have a shower at work.  I rode my girlfriends folding bicycle to work 1 day and got hit on by an english speaking Chinese chick.  I need to spend more time riding a bicycle and less time on ZH.

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 07:25 | 6763521 Chairman
Chairman's picture

I own several e-bikes and scooters here in China.  They all run on Lithium Ion 18650 cells and the only problem I have had with the batteries is letting them get wet.  I had a 48V 20AH pack go into a Fukushima meltdown because of corrosion caused by moisture.  This article has inspired me to get a new bicycle.  I have no excuse, it is an easy short ride with no hills and I have a shower at work.  I rode my girlfriends folding bicycle to work 1 day and got hit on by an english speaking Chinese chick.  I need to spend more time riding a bicycle and less time on ZH.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 05:17 | 6761055 roddy6667
roddy6667's picture

You should visit China if you like e-bikes. All the fast food delivery is done on them. Electric scooters are more popular, tho. You can can carry passengers and packages more easily. Hilly cities like the one I live in don't have as many electric vehicles. When I visit my relatives in Linyi, which is as flat as a parking lot, there are armies of EV's going up and down the streets.

One of the things I have noticed about cycling discussions in America, that the forums about the transportation aspect get hijacked by the exercise fans.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:41 | 6760373 logicalman
logicalman's picture

No TV, No car, No debt and.......

No cell phone!

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 19:05 | 6762368 GoinFawr
GoinFawr's picture

50 MILES/day is one freaking helluva ride, for anyone of any age.

You should compete.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 19:15 | 6762398 Seek_Truth
Seek_Truth's picture

50 kilometers is more like it (31 miles).

Which is still quite a ride, especially if you believe the -40 temps, lol.

I've ridden my bike a lot- in 50 degrees and above, 50 + miles, in the Appalachians.

Anyone who exerts themselves below 50 degrees Fahrenheit like that, whether running or bicycling, is asking for bronchitis.

I call BS- pics and details or it didn't happen.

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 14:41 | 6764548 logicalman
logicalman's picture

I don't take a lot of selfies, especially while riding.

Call BS all you like.

I don't usually ride far in those conditions, or often.

It is a bit rough on the lungs.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 19:13 | 6762395 logicalman
logicalman's picture

My record, at 16 was 135 miles.

That was in 1971 though. I've slowed down a bit!

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:43 | 6760382 hedgeless_horseman
hedgeless_horseman's picture

 

 

Does a beeper count?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:13 | 6760160 GoinFawr
Fri, 11/06/2015 - 22:13 | 6760457 SixIsNinE
SixIsNinE's picture

had a friend in Chicago years ago who ran into some bad luck - although it may have been that he was one of those guys who was actually trying to report on the NYC 2004 repub convention and got corraled into the fenced "free speech" areas, and in retrospect, probably got his name down on the "Cognitive Infiltration" list - anyways, a couple years later, biking to work a car just happened to open the door right into him, really Fooking him up... then his basement apartment just happened to have the nearby fire hydrant go off and flood his apartment ... just to name a couple of the "unfortunate" events that happen to us on the special lists... (yes, that's primarily why I gave up driving 7 + years ago) - yes, I stay on top of all the Liberty issues that GW covers here, Whitehead, Krieger, and the others .... I'm what is called an "early adopter" of the gps rfid Mark of the Beast, courtesy of the DEA.  I'm working on my performance show about how I survived that - working title "Music, Medicine & Miracles" - as the DEA thought that there was NO possible way I could live to tell the story - they were wrong.    More to come ...

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 13:19 | 6761665 GoinFawr
GoinFawr's picture

sorry to hear about your friend.

I look forward to your tale of survival.

"Chill be plain with you" Will Shakespeare

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 04:20 | 6761022 Midas
Midas's picture

In the cycling world that is known as a "door prize."

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:05 | 6760144 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

You would have recieved higher rankings if you had a picture of a bike with a gun rack.

 

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:51 | 6760114 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Ummm, I'm not getting up three hours early and riding my bike 40 miles one way to work everyday, ain't gonna fuckin happen. Now if a bunch of freaked out city dwellers want to...knock yourselves out.

If I see you on the side of the road with a bent rim maybe I'll pick you up and chunk your bike in the back of my p-up but it'll cost you...ass-gas or grass, nobody rides for free ;-)

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:25 | 6760185 Weirdly
Weirdly's picture

Nobody rides for free.  

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:13 | 6760162 g speed
g speed's picture

40 miles--why thats nothing---I used ta ride 50 miles to school every day in the snow up hill each way when I was 12 ----you youngsters are just whimpy is all.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 09:12 | 6761227 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

So did I. Except my bicycle had square wheels so I had to carry it.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:53 | 6760397 hedgeless_horseman
hedgeless_horseman's picture

 

 

I used ta ride 50 miles to school every day in the snow up hill each way when I was 12

Luxury! And you try to tell the young people of today that, and they won't believe you.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 23:33 | 6760659 Ctrl_P
Ctrl_P's picture

Regular jailer's pet we are. Only hung me up the right way yesterday.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:47 | 6760390 ebear
ebear's picture

You lucky bastard!

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:42 | 6760096 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

Why, that's nothing but plain, old-fashioned communism.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:37 | 6760077 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

Just wondering if that St. Louis number is correct on gallons used per person. That's double per person than the next highest on the list.

Standard Disclaimer: Paging Tyler's fact checkers...

 

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 23:07 | 6760599 mademesmile
mademesmile's picture

I'm from the area and I'd bet yes. Everyone commutes like an hour. The problem I have with biking is living in a rural area, I have a 8 mile road to the nearest town. And 4 kids. No bike lanes. Basically, while vehicles are using the road, it's impossible to bike on it. We bike for fun ( yeah, kind of like "you run for fun?") Katy trail is awesome. When the EMP hits, the bikes will come back out in full force. Can't wait :-)

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 04:24 | 6763403 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

Been on Katy at the other end of the State (KCMO). Nice trail system when it isn't too wet. Well maintained in most places.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:00 | 6759996 MrBoompi
MrBoompi's picture

Normally I wouldn't want to be a bicycle seat but because of that top picture I've reconsidered.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:11 | 6760017 BKbroiler
BKbroiler's picture

Bike commuting is awesome.  Used to do Sunset Park to Soho in half hour before the city installed about a thousand of those Citibank-Bikes.  Now it takes 45, and you have to dodge people who have no business being on a bycicle.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:38 | 6759953 WillyGroper
WillyGroper's picture

Got an AMC pedal car or a 65 Schwinn Fair Lady I'll sell ya.  ;)

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:35 | 6759949 Billy Sol Estes
Billy Sol Estes's picture

The bike share program in downtown Houston is a flop. No one is going to ride their bike to the store or work when it is 98 degrees and 80% humidity in H-Town.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:27 | 6760189 Weirdly
Weirdly's picture

It's coming one way or another.  

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:26 | 6760041 buzzardsluck
buzzardsluck's picture

Same in san antonio, minus the 80% humidity.  There is a fucking reason bexar is on that list and it's not from driving in circles.

 

People that ride for exercise on public roads are cocksucking, arrogant, selfish pieces of monkeyshit.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 15:24 | 6761917 logicalman
logicalman's picture

As opposed to you, who comes over as a very warm natured, helpful kind of guy who cares deeply for others.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 20:41 | 6760229 undertow1141
undertow1141's picture

Require liscenses registration and liability insurance for bicycles. They cause accidents and should be liable for it. If the cars need these to drive on the street, then so should bicycles.

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 04:21 | 6763399 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

EVERY single accident, which has involved a motorist against me on my bike, has been the fault of the motorist. Including the Cop.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:25 | 6760329 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

yep, gotta tax 'em cuz they aren't contributing their "fair share" to road maintenance.  Just like the eco-cars.

Let's come up with other revenue sources ;-)

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 09:09 | 6761223 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

Tax them on the proprtional damage they do to the road.

Hint damage is proprtional to the fourth power of axle loading and maximum speed cubed. Do the math. Ordinary motorists are providing a massive subsidiy to heavy goods lorries.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 21:14 | 6760290 dow jones 20000
dow jones 20000's picture

A lot of motor vehicle operators have no idea that bikes have the same rights as motor vehicles on roads.

On both bikes and motorcycles the #1 safety rule is that you are INVISIBLE to cars and trucks, because they aren't looking for you.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 00:52 | 6760845 Pickleton
Pickleton's picture

"A lot of motor vehicle operators have no idea that bikes have the same rights as motor vehicles on roads."

Then the cocksuckers should have the same responsibilites because they tend to think they can weave in front of me and it's my responsibility not to run their stupid fucking asses over.  other vehicles dont seem to have them kind of "rights"

 

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 00:43 | 6760819 buzzardsluck
buzzardsluck's picture

Rights by law, how's that working out for everyone LOL.  It's funny that I've never seen people riding their horse down the middle of a highway, even with a horse that doesn't mind asphalt/concrete.

 

I've never encountered a motorcyle doing 20mph-ish or riding 3+ abreast at the same speed taking up the entire road not caring they were causing obvious danger to everyone.  FUCK ALL BICYCLE PEOPLE RIDING ON PUBLIC ROADS.

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 12:52 | 6761653 Grimaldus
Grimaldus's picture

I know for certain you have never been to the Philippines by the ignorance of your statement. Bicycles exist in traffic in the Philippines on a level that would probably pop your head. There will be moar and moar bicycles on the roads here as people get poorer and poorer. Get used to it.

I have a cure for road raging fucks like you. You are to drive a car eight hours a day in Bangkok Thailand for three months. If you do not commit suicide or get killed, you will be cured.

 

 

 

Grimaldus

 

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 21:56 | 6765811 buzzardsluck
buzzardsluck's picture

Nice job of confronting what I said BTW in either post and I rarely drive a car.

 

Why the fuck do I care about traffic in places I don't live?  Great place btw, the whores are very 'loving' for not much dough (so I'm told).

Every country/state/county is different and my issue is about dumbfucks riding a bike for exercise putting everyone at risk so they can have 'scenery'.  It's amazing easy to tell the guys who love a bicycle seat up their ass for hours versus the guy who HAS to ride a bike. 

 

In short griz, fuck off.

 

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:00 | 6759851 semperfi
semperfi's picture

i never made it off the first picture

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 19:54 | 6760121 tom a taxpayer
tom a taxpayer's picture

First time ever I saw your ass....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-iOymDxKPs

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:51 | 6759978 CarpetShag
CarpetShag's picture

You want to swap your face with her saddle?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:18 | 6759899 BullyBearish
BullyBearish's picture

Hey...she's not wearing a helmet!

Sat, 11/07/2015 - 00:48 | 6760838 Pickleton
Pickleton's picture

Nope, but she's sure as shit rubbing an indelible stain into them flossies. 

 

 

 

 

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 17:58 | 6759845 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

Riding a bike on the streets of Las Vegas is nothing  less than  a serious suicide gesture.

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 18:01 | 6759857 semperfi
semperfi's picture

fixed it:   

the streets of Las Vegas are nothing  less than  a serious suicide gesture

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 17:56 | 6759840 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

heelava leap from Pete Seeger's banjo to the bicycle....Pete was my favorite ole commie...none of the other wobblies came close...

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