IKEA bikes

There has been some bicycle blog discussion regarding the free IKEA bike that was given to about 12,000 employees in the US. It is an inexpensive/cheap mtn. bike that was a reward for all the great work they have done this past year. Sure, it was cheap but why would they give something more valuable to a bunch of employees who may not ride and in a country that doesn't ride? It was a nice gesture and I am sure some of the employees will get great use out of them. Only in America will so called "bike advocate " people blog about how 'crappy' the free bike was. Perhaps if the bike advocacy world were truly interested in promoting bicycling they should show a little graciousness or at the very least acknowledge that a $1500 commuter isn't the only way a person can become a bike commuter. In fact the free bike from IKEA could very well be the beginning of somebody's commuting days. Don't be so arrogant, ignorant or pompous. Promote bicycling as a real option and not just a way to make a statement or as a status symbol. Here is a picture of the bike. To the enthusiast it isn't a pretty bike but instead of picking the bike apart look at is as an opportunity, an opportunity for someone else to ride instead of drive. This is in fact a great starter bike for someone somewhere and it is also a great opportunity for an astute salesman or bike shop to sell a slightly better commuter. As the sayings go, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" and "don't shit where you intend to eat".

On another note here is another reason to value what IKEA has done. This transport bike/truck is used to transport all of your goods from IKEA. This thing comes in really handy for the thousands of people here in the Netherlands who don't have a car and rely solely on bike for transport. The box of this bike/truck is about 7 feet long, 4 feet tall and about 3.5 to 4 feet wide. Depending on how much the people need to transport, it can be ridden with one person but is designed for two. Cool idea. Maybe these should make more of a presence in the States.

Should I stay or should I go?

This past week it has been a little chilly. My favorite bike path was covered in snow since last Friday or Saturday and I had to resort to running and the indoor trainer. Both are great options to riding on the road but in no way can they be a substitute to the feeling and sound of the wind on your face and the feel of the asphalt, brick or cobbles rolling under the wheels. So today was a day for an outside ride. What a day it was. Two hours in complete solitude on the paths. Here are a couple of pictures from my morning. Hopefully this weekend with the high temps of 6C the ice will melt.

Now it's time for my coffee and spekulaas.

Sinterklaas

Yesterday in the Netherlands and today in Belgium the celebration of Sinterklaas has spread cheer to kids and adults alike. Sinterklaas is the traditional celebration of his birthday. It was at one time a Christian celebration of St. Nicholas but once the Netherlands became a majority Protestant country the celebration became St. Nicks birthday. Sinterklaas is also the basis of Santa Claus in the States.

Sinterklaas comes from Spain with his helper Zwarte Piet or Black Peter. Zwarte Piet is a controversial figure some go as far as to say the image is racist. Of course the shouts of protest come from people who don't see the historical value of Zwarte Piet only the image of a white man with a black helper(you can see a Piet in my picture above). Zwarte Piet has various explanations some say he is a slave to Sinterklaas some say he is a former slave that was freed by Sinterklaas and became so indebted to Klaas that he stuck around to help. Either way Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet bring presents to adults and children all across the Netherlands and the happiness and spirit is hard to ignore. Here in the Netherlands they've created many versions of Piet, the helper Piet, the spying Piet who watches the children to make sure they are good etc.. etc.. Tradition has also said that kids who have been naughty get stuffed into a sack that Zwarte Piet carries and they get carted off to Spain. I'm not so sure that threat exists today or not. More can be found about Zwarte Piet on the internet. For you who are shouting racist! try to wrap your head around this possibility for a Zwarte Piet beginning, some say he was a Persian character called Haji Firuz......so not only can you get wrapped around the axle about Piet being black you can also get wrapped around the axle about him being Persian.....for you that don't know, Persian are people from Iran. We all know how bad people from Iran are......ok not really but I am sure for the haters of Piet the additional info regarding Piet is more fuel for your hating fire.

I like Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas. They both bring a very good energy to the street of the Netherlands and the communities embrace them. Shops are decorated, parades go down the market streets and it is a really good time. So I recommend that instead of focusing on the color or ethnicity of Piet, focus on the happiness that he brings. Once people are able to focus on and embrace good, hatred will go away and happiness will follow.

Run? What? Who me?

Yes. Me. I know, it is a bit ridiculous actually both the thought of it and the sight of it. But with the bike paths currently under a few inches of snow and icy I've decided to give my on the road riding a rest and dust off the running shoes or my hardlopen schoonen......Dutch for running shoes or the actual translation......hardwalking shoes.

Runningis actually a very good alternative to riding and gives a great workout, all of which we already knew. But one thing that most cyclists don't realize about running is that it helps build bone density which is something that is lacking severely in cyclists. Anyway, not to bore anybody with the ugly details of my running or to beat the benefits of running into the proverbial horse. Here are some photos of what I've seen while out on the run.

Just In: UCI Rule May Cause Verge And NACT Cyclocross Series To Be Banned

Just In: UCI Rule May Cause Verge And NACT Cyclocross Series To Be Banned

UCI breaking the balls of the best US Cyclocross series.

Going Dutch

With the current growth in popularity of bike commuting in the States I feel obliged to share a couple of videos. They aren't new videos nor are they videos I made but they are great videos showing how commuting happens and has been happening for years in the Netherlands. This video was filmed last winter and shows just one example of what is capable with a bicycle. It is also obvious from the video that mass transit is a very popular mode as well. Where the video was made is a town called Utrecht, a bustling city with a little over 300,000 residents near the center of the Netherlands.

I support the U.S. interest in bike commuting and I hope that with all the hard work that is taking place something works out. As we all know there is a lot of work and re-education that needs to take place before the bicycle is considered and accepted by the majority as a legitimate means of transportation. Not only are bicycles efficient, inexpensive, reliable and healthy they are small and mobile; creating parking areas for them within the big city parking garages wouldn't be that difficult.

Now, the reality of it is this, in the U.S. the majority do not consider the bicycle a legitimate means of transport. Children in the States are brought up thinking that a bicycle is a toy and cars are a rite of passage. Even in the large cities bicycles aren't highly regarded, they are seen as rude, obnoxious, in the way, slow. A few cities understand the benefit but not enough. Even in the cities that understand the benefit of a bicycle there is an underlying resistance to the counter culture of commuters. What can change this?

People tend to embrace the "Amsterdam bike culture" and that to me is a sign that some supporters of bicycle commuting don't get it, it isn't the "Amsterdam bike culture" it is in fact a Dutch way of life. All over the Netherlands people ride, in fact 27% of the trips taken, are done on a bike the remainder with mass transit or walking, the auto is typically not the first choice. With 15,000km of bike paths, bicycle parking garages and a dependence on the bicycle that goes back several years it is easy to see why. Children learn at an early age how to ride and ride safely they see their parents and grand parents riding and more than likely they have a bike path right out their front door. Beyond even the Dutch way of life, Denmark and Germany use the bike as a legitimate means as well.

I've heard many excuses as to why commuting by bike isn't possible. I've even used a couple myself. I've been humbled upon moving here to the Netherlands and have learned more about the Dutch people and their personality, while developing my own "Dutch Dependance" on the bike, than I could have from the seat of my car that is for sure. Here are four of the popular excuses that I've heard and even used, and their Dutch response.

"I get too hot and sweaty" - Dutch response, "slow down, don't ride like a crazy American"

"There are hills on the route and I only have one gear"- Dutch response, "so? leave earlier the route is beautiful"

"It is very windy"- Dutch response, "Get used to it, it will get windier. Leave earlier"

"It's raining"- Dutch response, "rain?! this isn't rain, it's drizzle. It'll get worse. Bring rain gear"

For the Dutch there is no problem that doesn't have a solution. This belief and attitude is precisely what the U.S. needs regarding bike commuting. Does the U.S. have a big enough

problem that bike commuting can be the solution? With the number of obese adults and children, heart attacks, stress related health issues, I say yes. A couple of things missing are $8 a gallon gas and an educated public.

In order for the U.S. to succeed in their push for more bike dependancy politicians need to be convinced, local governments need to be convinced. Bike advocacy groups can only do so much. If you care or if you've ever had the interest in commuting, do it. I am sure the majority of the readers of this blog are already convinced of the benefits of bike commuting..so maybe I am preaching to the choir a bit, but if we really want the benefits of bike lanes and respect, we need to go out and get it. There won't be success by telling other bike advocates about the benefit, we have to convince non-bike lovers of the benefits. Lobby for it, find ways to prove it is reliable for your city and state. Don't just fly to the Netherlands, see how it is done just to go home and tell people how it's done. I see a bright future in the U.S. for the bike and hopefully more people will soon. Support your advocacy group, get out and commute it is the best way to sell the idea. You are the best billboard and spokesperson for the cause.

In the meantime here are the videos. Enjoy.