Slow Food, Slow Money, Now Slow Biking

The SFGate has the story on what some people are calling the "Slow Bike Movement." The gist of the trend is that instead of getting suited up in spandex, leaning over your aerodynamic racing bike, and starting the day covered in sweat more bike commuters are taking their time, choosing upright handlebars, and wearing their work clothes.

Slow riding means not arriving at work sweaty or worrying about wearing specific bike-riding shoes or any of the other wardrobe-related concerns that plague would-be commuters. Being a Slow Bike Rider may mean being left behind by the pack of spandex-wearing cyclists in the mornings, but it also means getting to know more about the rest of your community.

"I actually like interacting with the people in my city," Logan says. "And when you're riding slowly, that tends to happen more often."

This is a wonderful development for people like me who have always been slow bikers. Whereas before I was just uncool, with my Clarks and dress slacks biking to work, now I'm part of a cutting edge movement. I still get sweaty though, and it's hard to avoid that weird wind swept odor. It's been awhile since I biked to work but this has inspired me. 

Comments

[Judy]

Went biking on my upright handled bike over the weekend. Wish I'd seen this article beforehand. I found myself crunching over when a "cool" rider approached. And then there's my 12 year old helmet.

[Grego]

How about slow amusement park rides? I'm sick of every ride having to be a death defying stomach turning experience in order to be what the normative culture considers "fun". Especially water parks where the only option is a heart stopping slide through dark tunnels, or the kiddie pool. Hows about something in between?

Thanks. Completely off track, I know.

[craig]

I've been on "It's a Small World" at Disneyland and I think that qualifies. Not bad for a change of pace but I'll take space mountain over that any day. But I do share your antipathy for amusement parks. My version of hell is being at Magic Mountain on a 95 degree day being forced over and over again to stand in line for the rollercoasters.

[Samse]

Here in Denmark, bicycling is more an extension of our legs than a form of transport. (ie. no luminous clothing, helmets or flashy bikes). We take it slow...!

We made a video about it here:
http://evr.tl/o6pI1T

[Fried Poul]

Impressive post about slow food, money and biking!! I’ve enjoyed the cycle pretty much! The picture for riding a cycle will enjoy me very much....... :)