tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049007913732421955.post6498602829605835528..comments2020-10-17T12:21:37.742-07:00Comments on Defying Poverty with Bicycles: What If Civil Rights Included Bicycles?Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049007913732421955.post-18700772047085256922017-01-25T13:15:51.593-07:002017-01-25T13:15:51.593-07:00Thanks Kevin, for putting important thought into t...Thanks Kevin, for putting important thought into this. You've opened up two critical issues that have unfolded since the civil rights movement in the '50s and '60s:<br /><br />* A horrid lack of public transit in the U.S.<br />* The results of North American bike industry promotions. <br /><br />Regarding the supply of transportation bikes, Worksman is a fabulous company. In fact any bike shop can order their bikes and shipping around North America makes them quite affordable. But in areas where people cannot ride for transportation and where bike industry promo focuses on mountain biking and road racing, bike shops cannot afford to stock such bikes. They don't sell.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the Dutch bikes you note are way out of the price range for low-income workers. In fact your example of a $369 coaster brake bike is likely over the limit as well. Go to a place where most low-wage works can ride and you'll find that they pay closer to $200. Unfortunately, here in the U.S, that means mass merchants selling dangerously cheap bikes.<br /><br />But your points are spot on. Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />SueSue Knauphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049007913732421955.post-35470861581201792922017-01-25T12:07:30.896-07:002017-01-25T12:07:30.896-07:00A couple of comments! First, I note that the resp...A couple of comments! First, I note that the response of Montgomery, Alabama to having their bus service desegregated was to cut the service down to almost nothing. Today it runs a not-so-whopping 34 buses with no service at all on Sunday or after 6:30 PM on Saturday. Source:<br /><br />http://montgomerytransit.com/<br /><br />Secondly, I note that in cities such as New York or Toronto that have high numbers of transportation cyclists, there are manufacturers of exactly the sort of bicycle you want. For example, Worksman Cycles manufactures a basic single-speed bike with a coaster brake for $369. An extra $95 upgrades to three-speed internal hub gears. There are also factory options for a front basket, rear rack, lights, bell, etc. See:<br /><br />http://www.worksmancycles.com/scb.html<br /><br />Toronto has retailers that sell city bicycles imported from The Netherlands and also locally made. See:<br /><br />https://curbsidecycle.com/collections/all/city-bikes<br /><br />There are also some shops that specialize in importing Dutch bicycles. See:<br /><br />http://www.urkai.com/european-bikes/<br /><br />Note how every one of those bicycles is a transportation appliance with approximately zero sporting value.<br /><br />Kevin Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186428862833389619noreply@blogger.com