Comments on: Eyes on the Street, Presidential Campaign Edition http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51699 Andy B from Jersey Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:16:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51699 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. 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51665 dbs Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:18:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51665 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. 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51662 dbs Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:07:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51662 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!) 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51649 ben Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:07:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51649 a people's leader? For a long time since we had a president leading the people. mainly they have nothing to follow. a people's leader?
For a long time since we had a president leading the people.

mainly they have nothing to follow.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51642 Josh Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:03:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51642 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? 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51640 vnm Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:22:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51640 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. <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/06/09/2008-06-09_barack_obama_gets_poor_fashion_marks_aft.html" rel="nofollow">Obama gets a dressing down for dorkiness: Bike helmet, socks don't go over well with fashionistas</a> 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51639 Josh Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:16:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51639 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. 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51638 gecko Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:20:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51638 bizarre dream, that obama was pulling an ice cream cart. it's probably just a little too hot. bizarre dream, that obama was pulling an ice cream cart. it's probably just a little too hot.

]]> By: BicyclesOnly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51636 BicyclesOnly Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:20:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51636 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 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51632 Stacy Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:56:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51632 Sorry I don't quite know how to create a link. Here's the CNN video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obeHJmmhLkc 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51631 Stacy Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:54:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51631 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. 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51629 Angus Grieve-Smith Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:32:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51629 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? 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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51628 Angus Grieve-Smith Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:15:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51628 <blockquote>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.</blockquote> Not exactly: http://www.worksmancycles.com/ Hat tip to Andy B!

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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51626 Josh Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:52:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51626 Urbanis, I was speculating based on the way public perception influences political campaigns, not speaking based on any particular source. Urbanis, I was speculating based on the way public perception influences political campaigns, not speaking based on any particular source.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51625 Mitch Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:49:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51625 <blockquote>I like that he is riding in normal cloths but was his bike (by this, I mean the frame) American made?</blockquote> 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.

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 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51624 Andy B from Jersey Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:35:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51624 I like that he is riding in normal cloths but was his bike (by this, I mean the frame) American made? I like that he is riding in normal cloths but was his bike (by this, I mean the frame) American made?

]]> By: Eric http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51621 Eric Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:21:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51621 I don't mind Obama riding on the sidewalk between now and November if it means he'll be a little safer. I don't mind Obama riding on the sidewalk between now and November if it means he'll be a little safer.

]]> By: bikenyc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51620 bikenyc Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:16:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51620 looks like back tire is flat looks like back tire is flat

]]> By: 987-6511 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51618 987-6511 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:16:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51618 Too bad the secret service is stuck in a Buick. But, after all, the great american road belongs to Buick. Too bad the secret service is stuck in a Buick.

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

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-51617 Urbanis Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:08:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/eyes-on-the-street-presidential-campaign-edition/#comment-51617 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. 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.

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