So U.S. House of Representatives is going to gut biking and walking programs. In the U.S. obesity rates keep going up, cars are getting expensive to buy and to maintain while wages drop. So I guess we are being told that a bike is not a transportation alternative and going to make it as inconvenient as possible. What message is being sent. Bike Programs on the Brink.

http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/01/this-thursday-bike-programs-on-brink.html?m=1

I wonder how much money car companies and unions have thrown into all of this. They seem to benefit from the whole thing.

I get why Americans like their cars. Nothing says freedom like getting into your car and taking a road trip. Some times it is nice just to be in your car away from the world listening to news or sports or music. Some people even turn the car into their own little disco or concert hall.

I had a hundred mile round trip commute from home to work. The drive was a pain with the traffic, but getting off at 11:30pm and driving home was relaxing. Loved driving in the dark listening to Coast to Coast am after a stressful time at work relaxed me. But the maintenance cost was a big drain on my budget. I needed the job and it paid pretty good.

I used BART and my bike sometimes to save money, but if I did any overtime I was stuck sitting in the break room until 3:30am and then it was off to the BART station. BART stops running at midnight and doesn’t open until 4am. It was a long six years.

People can still do what they want to do on a bike just like they can do in a car. May take a little longer to do. Best of all people get some exercise and get the endorphins going and feel great. Personally I love my time on my bike. Nothing like being on a quiet road and listening to the birds and cows.

Waiting for my Brompton to arrive is giving me a lesson in patience. It feels like a year is going by.

My Top 10 for the Moment:

1. Through The Eyes Of A Child-Bobby Womack

2. Cum On Feel The Noize-Quiet Riot

3. Piano Sonata No. 23, ‘Appasionata,’ in F Minor, Op. 57: 2nd movement-Beethoven

4. Sticks and Stones-Tracy Lawrence

5. Turn The Music Up-Lakeside

6. Puppy Love-Paul Anka

7. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore-Nat King Cole

8.I’ve Been Everywhere-Johnny Cash

9. Old Style Way-Hawaiian Style Band

10. Dirty Denim-The Donnas