Musings on Car Culture Pt. 1
On Saturday, while I was riding to a near-by Bellsouth payment center to pay my telephone bill, I happened to pass by a car dealership that was having some sort of special event, as there was loud music blaring from one of the local radio station's mobile units. The music was good, but unbelievably loud, and it must have been disturbing the surrounding businesses. Secondly, because of all the commotion, many motorists began slowing their vehicles to get a glimse of what was going on, creating a traffic nightmare.
When I finally parked and locked up my bike, I could only shake my head in amazement. Here again is one more way the car or automobile can be a nuisance. From even before they leave the lot, they are causing the community troubles. However, in our fast-paced societies, we don't even realize it.
Just tonight, I was watching "40-Year-Old Virgin" with my brother, and the main character, Andy, rides a bicycle as his basic mode of transportation, as opposed to driving a car. Throughout the movie, as enjoyable as it was, snide remarks are made about him being childish because he rides a bicycle and he is basically viewed as being "nerdy" or "quirky" for doing so, but when I think back on that event at the car dealership, I can't help but think: who's being childish? Here we have a car dealership having to play loud music to get the attention of drivers because no one really walks in that area, due to the fact that it is built for cars, not people, so they have to be as loud as can be to get the drivers' attention. Secondly, who, like toddlers, whine most about traffic and gas prices and about having to drive around the corner to get a gallon of milk and about roads being wider? motorists do, even though most municipalities bow down and worship them, catering to their every need.
After watching the movie and thinking back on that car dealership's 'event' to rake in the sales, all I could do was utter an internal snicker, knowing that cyclists actually make the roads safer for motorists, and they, the motorists, don't even know it. Bicycle-commuters are generally happier and more in-tuned with her/his community. If adulthood means owning a gas-guzzling, environment/community destroying vehicle, and if caring about the environment, my community, my health and the welfare of others is being childish, then pass me the pacifier.
When I finally parked and locked up my bike, I could only shake my head in amazement. Here again is one more way the car or automobile can be a nuisance. From even before they leave the lot, they are causing the community troubles. However, in our fast-paced societies, we don't even realize it.
Just tonight, I was watching "40-Year-Old Virgin" with my brother, and the main character, Andy, rides a bicycle as his basic mode of transportation, as opposed to driving a car. Throughout the movie, as enjoyable as it was, snide remarks are made about him being childish because he rides a bicycle and he is basically viewed as being "nerdy" or "quirky" for doing so, but when I think back on that event at the car dealership, I can't help but think: who's being childish? Here we have a car dealership having to play loud music to get the attention of drivers because no one really walks in that area, due to the fact that it is built for cars, not people, so they have to be as loud as can be to get the drivers' attention. Secondly, who, like toddlers, whine most about traffic and gas prices and about having to drive around the corner to get a gallon of milk and about roads being wider? motorists do, even though most municipalities bow down and worship them, catering to their every need.
After watching the movie and thinking back on that car dealership's 'event' to rake in the sales, all I could do was utter an internal snicker, knowing that cyclists actually make the roads safer for motorists, and they, the motorists, don't even know it. Bicycle-commuters are generally happier and more in-tuned with her/his community. If adulthood means owning a gas-guzzling, environment/community destroying vehicle, and if caring about the environment, my community, my health and the welfare of others is being childish, then pass me the pacifier.
posted by Rog at 8:36 PM
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