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This is suchs a strange concept to me as a dutchman. Americans seem to think biking is mainly a sport instead of a mode of transportation. Most dutch people r

This is suchs a strange concept to me as a dutchman. Americans seem to think biking is mainly a sport instead of a mode of transportation. Most dutch people ride on bicycles which are either A) in a constant semi-broken state (students are notorious for this) or B) riding a luxery city bike (usually high income families).

walshemj 8y ago
Isn't that because of endemic bike theft and city bikes are not really expensive they start to top out where a good entry level MTB starts.
- KozmoNau7 8y ago
  In Amsterdam and Copenhagen alike, a lot of bikes are sort of community property, usually involuntarily. I ride a reasonably nice bike for transport, which I keep well-maintained and always secure with two locks. But most bikes I see are in a rather sorry state, with rusty dangling chains, wobbly wheels, flat tires and busted accessories. Yet they seem to still perform adequately well for their task.
  - rorykoehler 8y ago
    In Berlin the joke is you rent your bikes for an indefinite time-period when you buy it. Having your bike stolen every few months hurts less when you paid €20 (and suspected it was already stolen before).
d1zzy 8y ago
But it makes sense if you think about it: it's a highly risky, not very rewarding experience to bike to work in the US so only the people really into it/passionate about it do it. I would expect a large overlap between people passionate about biking and those that dress in lycra and ride road bikes. Other reasons that I could see for that: - longer average commute distance for US bike commuters vs other places (which means, you want a nicer/faster bike and comfortable/aerodynamic clothing) - there is a cultural element to it, especially for a certain age group (aka MAMILs) plus the higher relative price of racing equipment isn't an issue for this group Plus, racing bikes are really very nice bikes. I like to compare it like driving a Ferrari to work, sure, it's not the best place to take advantage of such a car/engine, but it's still a better experience than a regular car (but YMMV, depends on the quality of the road).
wyclif 8y ago
I'm an American, but I'm a big fan of the basic black opafiets. It's so practical and functional.
rorykoehler 8y ago
You only have to drive across the border to Germany to find full-kit alpine hikers (poles and all) walking their leisurely stroll in their local park. This reflects essentially the same attitude as what the GP described.
- adrianN 8y ago
  Maybe it's different in west Germany, but I've never seen anyone wearing hiking gear in a park.
  - rorykoehler 8y ago
    It was a slight exaggeration... but only slight. When I was visiting my bro in Freiburg I was amazed at the number of full-kit w*s walking up and down the relatively flat paved path that hugged the Dreisam river. Half of them were practically dragging the poles behind them too.
jimmaswell 8y ago
Bicycling being slower, less comfortable, less safe, taking constant physical exertion, being unable to reasonably transport much on a bike etc. does make it seem like a sport or frivolity more than a practicality unless you can't afford anything better, even a motorcycle or electric scooter. Especially during uncomfortable weather.

walshemj 8y ago

Isn't that because of endemic bike theft and city bikes are not really expensive they start to top out where a good entry level MTB starts.

KozmoNau7 8y ago
In Amsterdam and Copenhagen alike, a lot of bikes are sort of community property, usually involuntarily. I ride a reasonably nice bike for transport, which I keep well-maintained and always secure with two locks. But most bikes I see are in a rather sorry state, with rusty dangling chains, wobbly wheels, flat tires and busted accessories. Yet they seem to still perform adequately well for their task.
- rorykoehler 8y ago
  In Berlin the joke is you rent your bikes for an indefinite time-period when you buy it. Having your bike stolen every few months hurts less when you paid €20 (and suspected it was already stolen before).

d1zzy 8y ago

But it makes sense if you think about it: it's a highly risky, not very rewarding experience to bike to work in the US so only the people really into it/passionate about it do it. I would expect a large overlap between people passionate about biking and those that dress in lycra and ride road bikes. Other reasons that I could see for that: - longer average commute distance for US bike commuters vs other places (which means, you want a nicer/faster bike and comfortable/aerodynamic clothing) - there is a cultural element to it, especially for a certain age group (aka MAMILs) plus the higher relative price of racing equipment isn't an issue for this group Plus, racing bikes are really very nice bikes. I like to compare it like driving a Ferrari to work, sure, it's not the best place to take advantage of such a car/engine, but it's still a better experience than a regular car (but YMMV, depends on the quality of the road).

wyclif 8y ago

I'm an American, but I'm a big fan of the basic black opafiets. It's so practical and functional.

rorykoehler 8y ago

You only have to drive across the border to Germany to find full-kit alpine hikers (poles and all) walking their leisurely stroll in their local park. This reflects essentially the same attitude as what the GP described.

adrianN 8y ago
Maybe it's different in west Germany, but I've never seen anyone wearing hiking gear in a park.
- rorykoehler 8y ago
  It was a slight exaggeration... but only slight. When I was visiting my bro in Freiburg I was amazed at the number of full-kit w*s walking up and down the relatively flat paved path that hugged the Dreisam river. Half of them were practically dragging the poles behind them too.

jimmaswell 8y ago

Bicycling being slower, less comfortable, less safe, taking constant physical exertion, being unable to reasonably transport much on a bike etc. does make it seem like a sport or frivolity more than a practicality unless you can't afford anything better, even a motorcycle or electric scooter. Especially during uncomfortable weather.