Evidence that "the left" is suddenly hawkish about military action

[Black]

Kids probably ride bikes less than they did in the 50s and 60s, and I don't know of any statistics of bicycling popularity broken down by age group, but the choice of the bicycle as a transportation option has been growing steadily year-over-year for at least a decade in major US cities.
I don't see what the internet has to do with the whole thing though-- if anything I've seen the internet facilitate the organization and mutual support of cyclists with pretty inspiring results.
If kids are riding less than they used to, I think the place to look is at the way we design "modern" streets and neighborhoods.

[Seacrest]

Kids today ride skateboards.














Well, at least when they play Tony Hawk on the Wii or XBox Kinect.

[Mac1337]

Black, internet has eaten into every leisure activity we used to do. There is only so much time. I beg my kids to go bike riding with me but by the time they get up and do their things it is too late. Games, Facebook, IM, browsing and TV. What is left of the day?

[kj]

Black wrote:
[quote=Dakota]
I read and acknowledged all the information you gave me and I thank you for it. The Schwinn reference here is an attempt at humor. I am not even sure they make them anymore.

The Schwinn name was bought by a Chinese concern which in the meantime has been absorbed by a Canadian concern.
It's all coming from China and Taiwan but so are the entry models from Trek, Specialized, and the like.
It's even worse than that Black. Even some of the bike companies that are known for making bikes here (like Ellsworth) have a Taiwan made model now. I'd be surprised if the big brands make much of anything here anymore (maybe the frame for a model or two). From what I understand, there are few places here that can match Taiwans expertise. Used to be they were just cheap. Now they're good. kj.

[kj]

Black wrote:
Kids probably ride bikes less than they did in the 50s and 60s, and I don't know of any statistics of bicycling popularity broken down by age group, but the choice of the bicycle as a transportation option has been growing steadily year-over-year for at least a decade in major US cities.
I don't see what the internet has to do with the whole thing though-- if anything I've seen the internet facilitate the organization and mutual support of cyclists with pretty inspiring results.
If kids are riding less than they used to, I think the place to look is at the way we design "modern" streets and neighborhoods.

When my kid plays Black Ops online (ok, maybe me sometimes) there is usually about 180,000 people playing, most of them kids, and that's just PS3. Xbox is probably a lot more at any given time. Every once in a while it flashes the total number of hours played, and it's staggering. I remember when it came out they said there was six centuries of playtime on the first day. I'd say online gaming is pretty much what kids are doing now days. kj.

[Mac1337]

Last I heard(which was in the 90s) Cannondales were made here in PA.

[Seacrest]

Frames, maybe.
Most components are made elsewhere.

[kj]

I guess not even that:

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gea...fter-2010/

Seriously sad. I know people in Taiwan and China have to eat too, but it's too bad. kj.

[Mac1337]

It is bicycle frame for crying out loud. Why can't we build it here? What is the single biggest cost item that we can't match?

[kj]

Dakota wrote:
It is bicycle frame for crying out loud. Why can't we build it here? What is the single biggest cost item that we can't match?

Labor, I would guess. Hopefully we can get some of those jobs back. It seems to be the new fad:

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/02/ff_madeinamerica/

kj.