Love at First Sight

Okay ... check this baby out:



I first saw this bicycle at one of our local REI stores, and after reading reviews (here and here), I'm pretty much totally and completely head over heals for Electra's Amsterdam Classic. The gee whiz features on this bicycle include:

• Nexus internal 3-speed hub
• Coaster brake (keep things simple)
• Aluminum frame
• Fully-enclosed metal chaincover
• Generator LED front and rear lights
• Full fenders (with mud flap up front)
• Rear rack
• Coat/skirt guard over the rear wheel

Now I need to break the news to my wife that there's going to be another addition to our family -- the Amsterdam Classic.

Why I hate CARS

I have to be honest with you ... I hate cars. There, I said it. Yes, cars can be "sexy" and "cool," but so can crack cocaine or being a member of a gang. Just because something is "sexy" or "cool" doesn't make it good, right? My reason for loathing cars boils down to four main points. In general, cars are:

1. Loud
2. Dirty
3. Dangerous
4. Inefficient

What's most unfortunate is that for most us in America, cars are a necessary evil. I can't even begin to imagine asking my family of five with three kids ages five and under to walk two miles to the store. Yes, I know that some kids in Africa walk even further to get to the community well to retrieve water, but that's an unfair comparison on so many levels.

I'll discuss each of these four points in greater detail in the very near future ...

Scooters = Cool

It's been almost two years since I purchased my Honda Metropolitan, and I've never (not even once) been disappointed with my decision. It came with a few bruises on it (scrapes, dents, etc.), but it's still a lovely piece of machinery. It gets 110 (plus) mpg, and if I'm going downhill with a relatively strong wind behind me, I can get it up to 40 mph. Yeah ... it's a rocket.

So, why do I think my scooter is cool? Here's seven reasons:

1. It's fun to feel the wind in your face
2. There's no gear shifting required
3. You can smell the world around you
4. It's footprint is small
5. I can park it like a bike (close to buildings)
6. Seeing me (6'4" tall) on it makes people smile
7. When I fill 'er up, it costs less than $3.00

I understand that scooters aren't practical for everyone, especially for those who live 30 (plus) miles from work; however, if you're lucky like me, and live within a decent commuting distance, then perhaps you might want to consider owning one -- an amazing alternative to the traditional automobile.