Bicycles provide opportunities
Are used by some for urban transporation and fun
Yasin Southall
Issue date: 9/28/05 Section: Opinion
Have you ever driven a car six blocks just to buy some food? Do you live at the bottom of Flora Street or Ohio Avenue? Are you worried about heart disease, weight problems or your physical appearance? Well, if at least one of these problems is an issue for you, then the solution is rolling down the street.
That solution, a sexy and sleek apparatus on two wheels is called a bicycle. A bike (as it is commonly referred to) is an instrument that can radically change your life. In the age of high gasoline costs, one can avoid car worries and simply ride a bike on short distance trips.
Think about it, a bike is great for a trip to the convenience store for snacks or to the library for a late night study session, a bike can get you anywhere within the western part of uptown from UC in 15 minutes or less. Jan Thurman, a sixth-year Spanish, international affairs and Latin American studies major believes that bikes are essential for Clifton.
"I think they're an efficient alternative," said Thurman.
Thurman also believes that bikes are ideal due to the location of UC within the area.
"Considering the proximity of Clifton," said Thurman. "bikes are ideal for our community."
In addition, attaching a basket to a bike can be a wonderful accessory. Bikes can have baskets attached in order to allow books, groceries and other small items to be stored while riding. Thus, a sense of independence is created when one uses a bike for such daily and weekly needs.
However, that independence comes with a price.
Injuries can be incredibly difficult to avoid when riding a bike on the mean streets of Cincinnati. Drivers are convinced that bicyclists should be on the sidewalks so they will honk, knock and roll right over you.
Sure, a person can ride on the sidewalk, but far too often, pedestrians do not pay attention when walking. Therefore, they are not aware of their surroundings and are not able to effectively deal with bicyclists.
Other downfalls to the bike are that it relies on brute leg strength and endurance.
However, if one simply rides around uptown with their bike, then they will not encounter severe problems with local terrain.
Riding around Cincinnati, though, is not such a bad thing. One can slowly build their tolerance of Cincinnati through that method.
All in all, certain fundamental privileges come with a bike. Carl Truman, a second year pre-social work student gets a lot from his bike. He uses it as a form of entertainment and transportation.
"I ride my bike downtown to the library and Shake-It Records," said Truman.
Truman, like other bicyclists, believes in basic social and environmental values when it comes to the bike.
"I think bikes are a wonderful alternative to using a car," said Truman. "They are a legitimate form of transportation."
That solution, a sexy and sleek apparatus on two wheels is called a bicycle. A bike (as it is commonly referred to) is an instrument that can radically change your life. In the age of high gasoline costs, one can avoid car worries and simply ride a bike on short distance trips.
Think about it, a bike is great for a trip to the convenience store for snacks or to the library for a late night study session, a bike can get you anywhere within the western part of uptown from UC in 15 minutes or less. Jan Thurman, a sixth-year Spanish, international affairs and Latin American studies major believes that bikes are essential for Clifton.
"I think they're an efficient alternative," said Thurman.
Thurman also believes that bikes are ideal due to the location of UC within the area.
"Considering the proximity of Clifton," said Thurman. "bikes are ideal for our community."
In addition, attaching a basket to a bike can be a wonderful accessory. Bikes can have baskets attached in order to allow books, groceries and other small items to be stored while riding. Thus, a sense of independence is created when one uses a bike for such daily and weekly needs.
However, that independence comes with a price.
Injuries can be incredibly difficult to avoid when riding a bike on the mean streets of Cincinnati. Drivers are convinced that bicyclists should be on the sidewalks so they will honk, knock and roll right over you.
Sure, a person can ride on the sidewalk, but far too often, pedestrians do not pay attention when walking. Therefore, they are not aware of their surroundings and are not able to effectively deal with bicyclists.
Other downfalls to the bike are that it relies on brute leg strength and endurance.
However, if one simply rides around uptown with their bike, then they will not encounter severe problems with local terrain.
Riding around Cincinnati, though, is not such a bad thing. One can slowly build their tolerance of Cincinnati through that method.
All in all, certain fundamental privileges come with a bike. Carl Truman, a second year pre-social work student gets a lot from his bike. He uses it as a form of entertainment and transportation.
"I ride my bike downtown to the library and Shake-It Records," said Truman.
Truman, like other bicyclists, believes in basic social and environmental values when it comes to the bike.
"I think bikes are a wonderful alternative to using a car," said Truman. "They are a legitimate form of transportation."
