Comments on: Eyes on the Street, Presidential Campaign Edition

By: Andy B from Jersey

Andy B from Jersey — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:16:25 +0000

Thanks Angus (#11) for getting my back on that one. I owe you a quality American beverage.

I think its so sad that people just accept that regular (less expensive) bikes have to be made over seas, mostly in Asia. I’m not against a global economy but the wholesale handing over our once proud manufacturing base over to Asia, is not in the longterm interest of America.

I also find it funny that when I look at bikes or other products made by European companies, there is a very good chance that it is still made in the country where the company was founded.

By: dbs

dbs — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:18:50 +0000

Speaking of Presidential Campaigns…can TOPP/SB start a non-partisan wiki to craft the ultimate JOB DESCRIPTION for our next USDOT secretary?

Once we’ve all AGREED on the attributes, we can present it to McCain and Nader and Obama, along with a short-list of folks who meet the specs.

I’ve been working with the food policy folks to do the same: http://agriculturesecretary.pbwiki.com/
On the Ag/Livable Cites front, I’d love to see a Secretary who believes we need more food grown locally (Zero Vehicle Miles Travelled from farm to table if possible) with petroleum-free fertilizers, and petroleum-free delivery (by shopping cart, bicycles, pedicabs.) Support for community gardens and support for the proliferation of bicycle-friendly farmers markets is key as well.

By: dbs

dbs — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:07:40 +0000

So, when is Obama coming to NYC to ride the 9th Avenue protected lane with JSK and Dr. Gehl?

Jan Gehl for VP…
and
http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/06/bloombergs_future.php
(Hint, hint, wink, wink!)

By: ben

ben — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:07:29 +0000

a people’s leader?
For a long time since we had a president leading the people.

mainly they have nothing to follow.

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:03:48 +0000

This country has way too much free time if that article got written and has already drawn 60 comments. We’re dissecting what color socks he was wearing? Seriously? Who the fuck cares?

By: vnm

vnm — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:22:07 +0000

Daily News sources and readers think he looked too dorky. Imagine what they'd think if he had bike shorts, bike shirt, and the full regalia. Obama gets a dressing down for dorkiness: Bike helmet, socks don't go over well with fashionistas

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:16:01 +0000

If Obama brought me ice cream, I’d totally vote for him.

Well, I’m going to vote for him anyway. Let me rephrase that. If McCain brought me ice cream, I’d totally vote for him. Yes, my vote is bought and sold that cheaply.

By: gecko

gecko — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:20:21 +0000

bizarre dream, that obama was pulling an ice cream cart. it’s probably just a little too hot.

By: BicyclesOnly

BicyclesOnly — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:20:59 +0000

Thanks for the link Stacy! Is that Michelle towing the trailer, I wonder? Or “the neighbor” we heard about?

Angus, I don’t know about Chicago, but in NYC I think only a bicyclists

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:56:51 +0000

Sorry I don’t quite know how to create a link.
Here’s the CNN video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obeHJmmhLkc

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:54:35 +0000

If you watch the CNN video you’ll see the little one was in a trailer while the 9 year old was on one of those trail a bike things.

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:32:40 +0000

In response to Eric Rogers’s question, what is legally acceptable for an adult with a four-year-old in a ride-on and a nine-year-old riding her own bike? What is the safest?

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:15:06 +0000

If Obama insisted on riding an American frame, he’d have to ride something sleek and “elite,” like a Serrotta or the sort of Trek frame that Lance Armstrong rode. If he wants to look like an ordinary guy taking his family for a bike ride, he’s stuck with an imported model.

Not exactly:

http://www.worksmancycles.com/

Hat tip to Andy B!

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:52:17 +0000

Urbanis, I was speculating based on the way public perception influences political campaigns, not speaking based on any particular source.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:49:23 +0000

I like that he is riding in normal cloths but was his bike (by this, I mean the frame) American made?

The bike comes from an American company (Trek — just up the road, in Waterloo, WI) and it was probably designed by Americans, but like most (probably all) mass-market bikes, it was built in Asia.

If Obama insisted on riding an American frame, he’d have to ride something sleek and “elite,” like a Serrotta or the sort of Trek frame that Lance Armstrong rode. If he wants to look like an ordinary guy taking his family for a bike ride, he’s stuck with an imported model.

By: Andy B from Jersey

Andy B from Jersey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:35:28 +0000

I like that he is riding in normal cloths but was his bike (by this, I mean the frame) American made?

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:21:41 +0000

I don’t mind Obama riding on the sidewalk between now and November if it means he’ll be a little safer.

By: bikenyc

bikenyc — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:16:06 +0000

looks like back tire is flat

By: 987-6511

987-6511 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:16:25 +0000

Too bad the secret service is stuck in a Buick.

But, after all, the great american road belongs to Buick.

By: Urbanis

Urbanis — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:08:06 +0000

Hi Josh, where is it reported Obama’s choice of bike was partially determined by the flak over Kerry’s Serotta? I agree that it’s a free country and people should buy the bikes that most appeal to them. On the other hand, I do think it’s a nice message to send that anyone can enjoy cycling in normal clothes on an inexpensive “off-the-rack” bicycle, even a future president.