Conference noted::bicycle

	The trouble: the bicycle does not have *dignity* as a form
	of practical transportation in our society ... namely, American
	society.  The reasons are 20th-century-historical and structural.
	This means it would be hard, very hard, to change this attitude.

	For at least the whole century, our society has esteemed the
	"labor saving device."  (Before motorcars, when people had to
	walk a lot, horses notwithstanding, bicycles *were* regarded
	as labor-saving devices, and held in high esteem - this lasted
	about 3 decades, until the motorcar became widespread.)

	Result: physical exertion for practical reasons is held in
	contempt by Americans.  Sweat all you like on a Nautilus machine,
	or on the squash courts, or for a sport or hobby, but not for
	a practical purpose such as transportation, etc.  Think I'm 
	overstating it?  Just stop and think a minute: when do "respectable"
	people exert themselves physically nowadays?

	Hence, you get respect, at least from some quarters, if you
	are biking for Sport, with lots of lycra, flashy colors and logos,
	and a bike that costs more than cars used to.  Just so you don't
	do anything *practical* with it.

	In the 70's, amid the oil/energy crisis, the image of the
	business suited bicycle-commuter was promoted... but this never
	really caught on.  Part of the reason is structural, as mentioned
	above: most Americans live quite far from work, daily shopping, etc.
	The other structural aspect is lack of places to ride safely.
	In both cases, the capital and cultural investment makes it
	very hard to change these patterns.

	In certain European countries (the Netherlands, most notably,
	but also in England), practical bicycling is still accorded
	dignity, and it is a strange feeling.  There you really do see
	the business-suited commuter, housewives, professionals, etc.,
	heads held high, biking serenely to work.  One department head where
	I worked received for his 25th anniversary with the company a deluxe
	touring/commuting bike (fenders, lights, chain-jacket, and all).
	The bike-commuter may be an archaism even in Europe, though.
	Europe now has Hypermarkets which dwarf our stores, and
	about as many cars per capita, I'm sure, as we do, judging 
	from the automania and road-crowding.  Can China be far behind?

	You're quite incisive to look for bikes or their absence in SF -
	SF represents our dreams, our intentions, however murkily.
	I'll agree it looks pretty grim.  But for decades, SF was 
	carried forth on the momentum of the Labor Saving Device.

	PS: One work of science fiction does mention the bicycle:
	this novel's future technology is the technology of our
	(the writer's) time, and is introduced by the protagonist
	into a backward world (mediaeval England).  As the protag-
	onist is about to be burned at the stake, he is rescued by
	Lancelot and his fellow knights who appear out of a cloud
	of dust, astride bicycles... horses wouldn't have made it
	in time.  (Perhaps an over-optimistic view of mediaeval roads.)
	Title: "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain

	-john

    Me and a whole bunch of other people wouldn't care if we had our own
    Concorde, or free access to teleportation. We'd still ride bikes
    several times a week.  That's one of the shortcomings of most 
    Science Fiction: it assumes that humanity is only a reflection
    of the technological state of the art.  Instead, real human beings
    do plenty of archane, absurd things, like riding a bike from Boston
    to Montreal and back in four days. ;~)
    
    MATT 

    
    	It is curious that one cannot get a job with some 'manpower'
    type agencies without owning a car.   A bicycle is not considered
    sufficient.    I had no car for 8 years, and was turned down for
    several jobs due to my choice of transportation.  I believe this
    form of discrimination should be outlawed, except for jobs directly
    requiring the car.
    
    	One fellow, who did hire me, was surprized that I made it to
    work when the people with cars were snowed in.   When I refused
    rides home, I occasionally explained that it was a waste of time
    loading and unloading the bike.   Also, it seemed the purpose of
    having me as a passenger was so I could help push the car when it
    got stuck.
    
    				Alan.

    We're still in the "iron age" today - but things are going to change.

    There is only about 30 more years of crude oil left.  When that runs
    out peoples lifestyles will be markedly altered.

    - Jim

>< Note 897.4 by CTCADM::ROTH "Lick Bush in '88" >

>    There is only about 30 more years of crude oil left.  When that runs
>    out peoples lifestyles will be markedly altered.

     Alternatives, roughly in order of likelihood:

	- laser-powered vehicles,
	- sedentary live-your-live-at-home culture,
	- mass suicide,
	- reversion to the stone age,
	  .
	  .
 	  .
	- human powered locomotion (walking, bicycling).

       watch the movie 2010 the sequel to 2001 a space oddessy.
    There is one seen where you see the star of the american side out
    jogging and his kid is riding a wild 3 or 4 wheel recumbent next
    to him while the two hold a conversation.
    
                                            John C.

>    	PS: One work of science fiction does mention the bicycle:
>	this novel's future technology is the technology of our
>	(the writer's) time, and is introduced by the protagonist
>	into a backward world (mediaeval England).  As the protag-
>	onist is about to be burned at the stake, he is rescued by
>	Lancelot and his fellow knights who appear out of a cloud
>	of dust, astride bicycles... horses wouldn't have made it
>	in time.  (Perhaps an over-optimistic view of mediaeval roads.)
>	Title: "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain

    I remember seeing a cartoon version on the boob-tube of this
    story.  The knights come to the rescue in motorcycles!  I guess
    the bike lost out again.
    
    Dave

    
    
    
    	Read the Decmeber '88 issue of Bicycling magazine.
    
    	Alot of great stuff on the history, and possible future
    
    	of the Human Powered Vehicle.
    
    	The IHPVA lives !!!!!!!!!!!!