Forgetting the fact that Enron, a Texas firm, bankrupted the state of California in 2001 effectively forcing higher than needed taxes to balance the budget... and Hurricane Katrina generated a mass population migration from New Orleans to Houston in 2006... these "facts" regarding the two states over the 2000-2007 time span... are dubious at best.
#1 They did weigh more, the article states he was 355 before getting on his bike. I think they are typical of many Americans and were living very car-driven, impulse-driven lives. It's a start.
#2 It isn't for everyone, unfortunately urban/suburban design of this country is based on getting away from everyone... biking 30 miles isn't realistic. I bike to work in NYC, but don't if it's 90 out, 90% humidity, or in the winter... I can subway it otherwise but I save a bit on cash and get some excercise. It's not an "all or nothing" biking decision.
#3 "Brooklyn as paradise"... hehe, yeah, if people can afford 1500 a month rent, sure life is probably good. Most Americans can't, and most cities aren't designed like the better parts of NYC... one of the few cities a car-less existence can work. Many don't have very good public transportation. I am happy to not have to pay insurance.
#4 Drive less, but be AWARE of bikes... I've had close calls with braindead morons nearly clipping me about twice a day. I blame that on automaton TV-based unawareness of reality. Just biking once in a while and actually relating to a living breathing 3D world makes a difference believe it or not.
#2 It isn't for everyone, unfortunately urban/suburban design of this country is based on getting away from everyone... biking 30 miles isn't realistic. I bike to work in NYC, but don't if it's 90 out, 90% humidity, or in the winter... I can subway it otherwise but I save a bit on cash and get some excercise. It's not an "all or nothing" biking decision.
#3 "Brooklyn as paradise"... hehe, yeah, if people can afford 1500 a month rent, sure life is probably good. Most Americans can't, and most cities aren't designed like the better parts of NYC... one of the few cities a car-less existence can work. Many don't have very good public transportation. I am happy to not have to pay insurance.
#4 Drive less, but be AWARE of bikes... I've had close calls with braindead morons nearly clipping me about twice a day. I blame that on automaton TV-based unawareness of reality. Just biking once in a while and actually relating to a living breathing 3D world makes a difference believe it or not.