Do North American commuters fetishize their bicycles?

Posted January 19th, 2009 by Roland Tanglao

Momentum's Mitey Miss has gone to Goa, India for a while and has a fantastic blog about it: Girl Gone Goa. I highly recommend it because it is entertaining, well written and makes you reflect on bicycles and our North American culture.

For example: Have avid bicycle commuters like myself gone from neglecting bicycles to fetishizing them in our enthusiasm? I think we have to a certain extent, but really for me at the end of the day, like Mitey Miss "it gets down to the most base and selfish reasons: it feels good." And I would also add: Not only does it feel good but it's good for the environment.

Which leads me to this: When we no longer have to justify or evangelize commuter bicycling or bicycling as a means of transport, when it's just a normal part of our culture instead of being done by "enthusiasts" or "fashionistas" like it is in other parts of the world, then we will no longer need blogs like this!

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Tags: bicycling to work, commuting, girl gone goa, Goa, India, roland's ride

Most of the bike commuters I

trisha's picture
On January 25th, 2009 trisha says:

Most of the bike commuters I know (including me) can wax evangelical about why cycling is the ultimate form of transportation. Because we're a minority, it's easy to get a little fanatical and slip into the "us vs. them" mentality with other forms of transportation. But people who love bikes will always want to discuss them. After all, there are still blogs and forums and chatrooms devoted to cars, right?

oh all right

Roland Tanglao's picture
On January 26th, 2009 Roland Tanglao says:

i guess i won't stop blogging after we have awesome bicycling all throughout North America

A Truly "Counter" Culture.

Dogsbody's picture
On January 29th, 2009 Dogsbody says:

I believe that cycling culture has already taken a hint from the automotive world when it comes "Love of the Steed".
And if one looks at the amount of discussion that goes on with Carnosaurs; a clue as to where the Cycling World will be heading can be found...
(Example) If one looks at the "Rat-Rod Bike" movement; and the wonderful world of Custom-built Bikes: I believe we can see the ground-swell of Bike Worship for it's own sake.
I can see nothing but continued growth in involvement, and quests for knowledge; as more, and more people join us on the road.
Though this may require evolution of the focus for some of those out in the E-Cyclosphere*: I do NOT think this type of communication will disappear, or lose relevance.
*I'm applying for a patent on this term. LOL

patents are obsolete :-)

Roland Tanglao's picture
On January 30th, 2009 Roland Tanglao says:

patents are obsolete :-)

The New Normal - cycling culture in Vancouver

Miteymiss's picture
On May 2nd, 2009 Miteymiss says:

Hi Roland,

You'll be interested to know that I quoted this discussion in a feature article that I wrote for Vancouver Review. The story is called The New Normal, and discusses Vancouver's cycling culture -- including "fetishization." Check it out, and drop me an email if you like:

LINK: http://ulrikerodrigues.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/cycling-culture-in-vanco...

 

thanks miteymiss!

Roland Tanglao's picture
On May 3rd, 2009 Roland Tanglao says:

great article! thanks for quoting me!
wish i had time to race bicycles, mountain bike and to have a road bike and to be a 100% all-around cyclist but all have time is spent up with work and family and cycling to work and often cycling on the weekends with the kid!

but as i said in another post, "i love all bicyclists"!