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There is a huge amount of privilege in this statement. Bicycling is not safe in many places. I live in a rural area with a road used by logging trucks and gravel trucks. It is unsafe to bike. There is no where else to bike without taking my bike out on my car to a trail that is safe.

I think that's what he's talking about in the last part of the quote

Agreed but for some areas there will never be enough $$ to build a bike path. I live in rural canada. Roads will always be prioritized when there is SO much area to cover.

There are some places where a bike simply isn't an option. In Las Vegas, you cannot and shouldn't be out biking or even walking in anything hotter than 90°F. ...Which raises the equally important question, "If it's too hot to travel on foot, then why not telecommute, so people can stay safe in A/C?"

I'm sure that's true for some at-risk demographics but 90F in a dry heat walking or on a casual, upright bicycle, especially an upright e-bike, should be fine so long as you've not been silly with your wardrobe. Shade is definitely an necessity tho to slash radiant heat.

I can be out and about well over 100F here in Sacramento provided i'm not doing anything strenuous and am dressed properly. I wouldn't want to spend HOURS in that kind of heat without a pool nearby but walking around my neighborhood, going to lunch, getting groceries is no problem.

I don’t bike because I can’t guarantee I’ll make it to my destination. Lots of steep hills, and it doesn’t help that I’m heavy.

E-bikes provide the guarantee. I know they are pricey but there are lots of folks buying them and then selling them for half the cost after never using them. Keep an eye out. It’s life changing. Like having a super user-friendly motorcycle.

For me, never owning a car—and getting most places by bicycle, transit, and train—has turned out to be a great choice. Being a life-long straphanger and cyclist? No regrets. More in this HIGH SPEED post: www.highspeed.blog/no-regrets/

I love bill but I do take umbridge with his posing in front of american-style "commuter" bikes tho instead of an upright utility bike or even a Cruiser. More americans need to know there are other kinds of bikes than just drop-bar racers and mountain hoppers.