Are Machines Sexy? Guys v. Gals

I had the opportunity to drive my car (yes I own one) over the NYC Willis Avenue bridge the other day. For those of you who do not live in this fair city, it is one of the most dilapidated East River transverses. The part you drive over is steel grid intermixed with asphalt plus bolted on steel plates (to fill in the holes) and gobs of extra asphalt (to fill in more holes). Should any part of your car be loose (or any of your dental fillings) they will be further loosened by traversing this structure.

Thankfully, there is a pedestrian/bicycle path on the side. While it is less jarring, be sure your bowels are empty before you choose to cross by bike.

Happily, Mayor Mike and his friends have somehow secured funding to replace it (no, not from IBM, Goldman Sachs, or Facebook). The new structure now sits next to the old structure waiting to be put in place. The original was built in 1901 and carries 70,000 cars a day. It cost $1.67million to put in place.
The new one cost $612million (so far).

So here is my question. Are bridges sexy? I think the curves of the old bridge are inspiring. The new bridge leaves me cold. My wife thinks I am absolutely nutty to even attach a human quality to a machine.

Is this a male thing? I look at my bicycles and get dreamy.

What do you think?

Riding Is A Choice/NYC FAQ's

It's raining heavily in NYC today. I chose, like I do every day, to bicycle to work. That's because riding is a choice. It's a choice for you to be healthy, contribute a little bit of something to being a responsible green citizen and having fun.

People ask me lots of questions about riding in an urban environment and NYC in particular. So here are some answers to a few of the top questions:

1. Is it dangerous?
Well yes, it is dangerous. But statistics will tell you that riding a bicycle in an urban area is no more dangerous than walking and crossing an intersection or driving a car (based on number of people and miles traveled). It all depends on how you go about it. In the same way you should not cross an intersection against a light or decide to travel at excessive speeds on a twisty road, you make choices on a bicycle that make you safe.
Wear a helmet, use lights so you are seen and be hyper aware. Try and claim your lane (ITSMYLANE - get it), avoid riding next to doors that are going to open, and make sure your brakes work. It all comes down to paying attention all the time.

That is one of the wonderful things about biking. It keeps you young because you have to be using your senses and your balance all the time.

2. How do you stay dry in the rain?
Like Superman, I have a special costume. It's called a rain suit. It has rain pants and a rain jacket. I put it over my work clothes and stay mostly dry. I am still working on how to keep my feet dry (time for some old-fashioned tote boots). The Swedes are fond of saying: "There is no bad weather. Only bad clothes." It is true, you can find clothes to keep you dry and warm or cool for any weather. It's a choice.

3. Doesn't your bike get all messed up?
That is why my commuter ride is a one speed 1965 Schwinn with coaster brakes that is already rusty. See "BBUD" posting below

So....what is your excuse for not riding to work today?

Interbike 2010

I had the good fortune to attend Interbike 2010, the only North American trade show for bicycles and such. I have been to many trade shows, including CES and National Retail Federation and the mother of them all, the Frankfurt Auto Show. I must say that this show had the least swag and not the most well-heeled crowd. But that is no surprise.

There are about 15-17million bicycles sold in the United States every year (about the same number as during the height of the US automobile market before the recession). But the whole category is only worth about $6.0Billion in total gross revenue. And it is highly fragmented (as the price of entry is extremely low). Over 70% of bicycles are sold in mass merchandiser outlets - - and they tend to be somewhat lower quality. The other 30% are sold in specialized and local bike stores and that is who this show is aimed at.

It was an eclectic crowd, lots of tatoos, ponytails, soul patches, and t-shirts. I may have been one of three people in a sport jacket. And it was not very ethnically diverse.

But there was a passionate vibe in the air. People who are into bicycles are REALLY into bicycles. Given the economics of the industry, you would have to be.

Which as a marketing professional leads me to my big discontent. I do not understand why no one in the category has invested in building their brand to a larger, broader consumer base.

The time is right, the demographics are right and all the trends are in place (not to mention that 50% of the US population is now living in urban i.e., city environs.)

And as I have said, there is nothing more powerful, more beautiful, more joyful than urban bicycling.

America is ready to discover this - - now there just needs to be a brand to take advantage of it.

The ability to blend capitalism with doing good is what the bicycle business can be about.

Why Are People Obese?

On my ride to work this morning I was struck once again by how many people seem to be carrying too much weight on their frame, and I am not referring to their panniers or bicycle frames.

America is an incredible country, perhaps the greatest nation on Earth. But we have too much. Too much food and too many conveniences that allow us to literally be lazy.

It is a choice to take care of your body in a way that makes you fit. And the bicycle is a wonderful way to transform your body and your life.

The joy that one can feel by using two wheels and pedals to transport is boundless. The side benefits beyond physical health are there as well. You can literally see the world around you in a way that you have never experienced it before.

So I encourage you, during this Labor Day holiday weekend, to put the car keys in the drawer, put some air in the tires, and try and use your bicycle for all your errands!

Have A Little Grace... Please

New York City is relatively empty this week so bicycle riding is easier. That said, I am always taken aback at how hostile and aggressive people become when they are in their vehicles (sometimes including bicycle riders to be fair).
Today, when a person cut me off to enter a parking lot, I yelled (as I too often do), "Have a little grace please!".
And then I thought, if all of us practiced just a bit more grace when we deal with our fellow humans the world would be a happier place.
What's the hurry?