Finally,
cycling should be as comfortable as possible. As far
as I'm concerned that implies drop handlebars (placed
higher than the saddle), lots of gears, and a light
steel frame - things that put me at odds with most
contemporary cycle manufacturers. I probably have
a few other quirks; you'll pick up on them as we go
along."
Sean
O'Grady also wrote for The Independent. This makes
interesting reading!
“My
household is now running The Independent's long-term
test T*y*t* P*i*s hybrid which delivers about the
lowest emissions of any even vaguely mainstream vehicle
on sale today. Every so often I bang on about its
virtues, and am happy to do so again”.
Finally I’ll return to that never-ending question
that confronts all road users. ‘What are the
streets for if not for driving or cycling’?
Popular
culture backed up by constant advertising seems to
show that they exist only to provide parking space
for new vehicles. There’s so many to choose
from - Alexei goes through about 50 a year and regularly
hacks off his Camden neighbours with lines of cars
to review parked along his street! Most ordinary car
owners are obliged to change cars every couple years
- they are fast becoming a disposable item - something
that conflicts with the idea of ‘green’
car use. Push-bike people can run bikes 25 years old
and older if they can get parts!
But
look at the benefits of the car economy. If the car
is beautiful,sleek and 6 litres it gives you something
to look at amidst the dullness of many cities. A private
piece of art parked for all to see. It is also a visible
reminder of what you can achieve through hard work
or selling illicit drugs!. And of course you don’t
have to ride a push-bike to enjoy seeing a luxury
car being towed away! Is is a this point that the
pushbike owner is at most danger (if the owner of
the possessed car catches him or her smirking to taking
too much of an interest).
But
are push-bikes not vehicles? Well no, not really -
I’m not sure. Are motor bikes vehicles? Of course
not - well not in a ‘normal’ sense. If
push-bikes were ‘equals’ they’d
pay Vehicle Excise Duty (not road tax as I’ve
discovered - road tax doesn’t exist).
