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.