I’m in agreement with you – in our auto-centric society, and especially out here in the “wild west” where traveling distances can be HUNDREDS of miles, it would be hard indeed to get ‘er dun without a motor vehicle. I’m grateful that I have one as a “backup plan,” even if it entails groveling to the Missus.

I’ve packed a lot of stuff in a little trailer behind my bike – groceries, bedding plants, camping gear… even my chain saw once! But – a larger vehicle is handy when it’s a queen-size mattress, or 2×4 studs or sheets of plywood! And I’ve bicycled to Meridian… Kuna… even Emmett. But NOT to SLC or Portland!

I was politically active in biking issues, to the point where I got pretty snotty about it. I regret my attitude now and the first thing I would say is DON’T GIVE UP YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE! It is your long range transportation freedom technology that can carry your important gear and things with you when you need them the most. Bikes are very limited when it comes to cargo capacity and your capability to haul stuff long ranges.

Remember, Klaus Schwab et al want you broken down to an economic flyspeck that will possess as little as possible without any options other than what he and his ilk provide for you. It’s very well stated in their public promo videos for the World Economic Forum.

I’m impressed that BikeBoy hit his 200K mark. Good for him! That is a PERSONAL choice. But I would NEVER force this transportation style on anyone. Bikes make for great auxiliary transports, but I support ALL levels of transport. I wish I had a small airplane and a second motor vehicle.

To each his own!

And serious congrats for that much biking! I keep thinking I should commute, but then I look at the climb between river-level and Micron, and talk myself out of it. Maybe one of those fancy e-bikes with the hill assist is what I need, but I’m afraid if I get one of those, I’ll never pedal. Back in the day I did ride my bike to BSU, however. It was really nice not worrying about parking issues!

I like the story, but why is this news? Is he entering politics?

EDITOR NOTE–Bikeboy has been a frequent commenter and contributor to the GUARDIAN.

Easterner, my #1 “pet peeve” nowadays is non-responsive camera-activated traffic signals! Some will detect a cyclist… many don’t… some do one time, and not the next. (I did better with the old ground loop “metal detectors.” Hopefully ACHD is working on this.) Overall, the area infrastructure is MUCH more bike-friendly than in ’86.

Kent, “public office” doesn’t hold much appeal for me. I admire you good people who serve in such capacities, but it seems like no matter what you do it’s gonna make SOMEBODY unhappy. (I was a “charter member” of the ACHD Bicycle Advisory Committee, many years ago. Even that was a little frustrating. Maybe they’ll give me another shot at it someday… in the meantime, I’m trying to be a bicycling Ambassador of Goodwill.) I’ve got enough interests – and five local grandkids – that I don’t have much down-time.

What do you think are the top 3 things ACHD could do to improve our roads and pathways for bicycling, especially for bicycle commuting?