3 wheels of wandering???

May 10, 2012

Bicycles continue to be in the news here in Omaha. There was an editorial in the local newspaper that referred to a "battle" between cars and bicycles for the roads of our fair to middling city. Although I believe that pretty much any press is good press, I will also partake in the grand tradition of arguing about bicycles and things bicycle-related.  Yes, controversy and bicycles go together like birds and bees. On the other hand, bicycles battle cars like birds battle wind turbines. That is, bicyclists generally try to avoid being hit by motorists, in the same way that birds don't intend to fly into huge blades unnaturally perched atop their lofty perches. I may be overly sensitive to the use of the word "battle" since by nature I avoid any type of conflict in the same way that birds avoid being petted by excited toddlers and/or slapped around by wind turbines. I also try to avoid adrenaline and any form of agression while bicycle commuting. I have recently been made aware that there is a new motion picture featuring bicycling called Premium Rush. The title alone makes me nervous.

If I ever make a video of my bicycle commuting I plan to christen it "No Rush."  I am also in no rush to make a video of my bicycle commuting since it is even less exciting to think about making a video of my commute than it is to actually commute.  And that's how I like it.  Uneventful.  I did read a book about bicycle messengers in Chicago, but the printed word isn't quite as visceral as these popular "moving picture shows."  The book was called The Immortal Class, and it was pretty good.  I took a nice walk in the park after reading it, and fell asleep right away when I got home. 

I was out for a stroll when I encountered the inimitable JR. He seemed to be a bit weary of the media attention, but he did grant my request for a quick photo op, with the understanding that the photo wouldn't be published nationally.

No danger in that JR. JR has been banned from piloting 4-wheeled crafts of locomotion, and has recently upgraded from a 2-wheeler to a 3-wheeler. Pretty classy vehicle there JR. Let's roll! Onwards towards battle! With the help of the trikes we shall emerge victorious!

JR draws a bead on the next victim of the battle.