"Bicycle is the slow death of the planet."
A banker made the economists think this when he said:
“A cyclist is a disaster for the country’s economy: he doesn’t buy cars and doesn’t borrow money to buy. He don't pay insurance policies. Don't buy fuel, don't pay to have the car serviced, and no repairs needed. He doesn't use paid parking. Doesn't cause any major accidents. No need for multi-lane highways.
He is not getting obese.
Healthy people are not necessary or useful to the economy. They are not buying the medicine. They dont go to hospitals or doctors.
They add nothing to the country's GDP.
"On the contrary, each new McDonald’s store creates at least 30 jobs—actually 10 cardiologists, 10 dentists, 10 dietitians and nutritionists—obviously as well as the people who work in the store itself."
Choose wisely: a bike or a McDonald's? It's something to think about.
PS: walking is even worse. Pedestrians don't even buy a bicycle!
*Posted by Jessica Maria Dwyer on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessdwyer/)
**Photo credit: Franz-Michael S. Mellbin (2011)
I just had to post this as I love getting around on foot and bicycle. When I was living in Thailand I often got around by bamboo bicycle.
Well if you are going to be passionate about bamboo toothbrushes then why not bamboo bikes. :)
There I am with laptop, some clothes and even some bananas as you have to fuel the machine ie the body. I would often ride for an hour round trip to get groceries, which may seem like a lot or little depending on your experience. For me it was a nice way to get a workout in while also running errands.
I hope you all are enjoying alternative methods of getting around that don't involve cars. At least from time to time as you'll feel better and with gas prices as high as they are the bicycle is looking like a much more attractive form of transport.