[SDCBC] Pedal Power in the News

[John Forester]

Jamie Ortiz wrote: " This is exactly the type of publicity that biking 
needs in the U.S. ... If we don't have more newbies learning to commute 
by bike, our biking population will wane--and then who is left to 
advocate for?"

Think of that complaint: "and then who is left to advocate for?" If 
advocacy either brings in money or satisfies some ideological need, 
lessening of the demand for advocacy would be seen as being very bad. 
What a pity it is that there is no longer any place for the advocates of 
buggy whips! Advocacy should not be an end in itself, but for some 
desirable result.

Jamie evidently considers that any means of persuading people to take up 
bicycle transportation is admirable. I don't agree, for the following 
reason.

Regardless of the examples of people, available equipment, money 
savings, weight loss, and the like, the whole statement of the piece is 
that once you can stay upright on your bicycle you should go out on the 
roads and government will protect you. Certainly, that appeals to the 
average person, and because that particular message appeals to the 
average person is precisely the reason that so much is wrong about 
American bicycle transportation. Producing a system that is based on 
incompetent cycling produces a system that is detrimental to bicycle 
transportation and harmful to competent cyclists.

-- 
John Forester, MS, PE
Bicycle Transportation Engineer
7585 Church St, Lemon Grove CA 91945
619-644-5481