Archive for January 12th, 2009

I enjoy smoking. I find a good cigar at the end of the day relaxing and pleasurable. I don’t smoke all of the time, maybe a cigar a day. Not likely enough to substantially cut my life short. Besides, if I want to cut my life short, that’s my decision.

Our governments don’t think so. Every day a new restaurant or bar goes non-smoking, mostly due to ordinances by local city governments. More micro-governing. I can go into any bar during business hours and legally drink myself into oblivion but I can’t smoke. Oh right, since I’m not smoking I’m not affecting others around me. So when I get in my car to drive home after drinking myself into oblivion I’m not affecting the health and safety of others around me. Right.

I completely agree. Smoking is harmful to your health. If you smoke to much you will probably get lung cancer or heart failure or high blood pressure. You’re subject to those risks if you eat too much too. Or sit around too much. Or if you live for too much time. Smoking is like anything; in moderation it will have few long term effects. In excess, like many things, it will lead to premature death. The leading cause of death, I would argue, is excess life. I also believe that if regulation focused on eliminating the harmful and addictive chemicals added to most forms of tobacco rather than banning it, tobacco would be less harmful and less addictive; therefore, there would be less smoking. I smoke only natural tobacco. No additives.

Driving undesirable vehicles (gas-powered vehicles) also releases harmful chemicals in the air and subjects me (riding my bike) to its harmful effects. These vehicles are also incredibly loud and stink. They also contribute heavily to our current obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease epidemic. I contend that my cigar smoking releases far fewer chemicals, makes less noise and smells much better. But, since you’re banning smoking I have a suggestion. If I can’t smoke in close proximity to you, don’t drive undesirable vehicles in close proximity to me. It’s simple; it’s fair. Ban driving too.

I get comments, smiles and laughter all the time. I have people pull over in their undesirable vehicles and ask me how I put the family truckster together or where I bought it. I think a lot of people would like to do what I’m doing. However, they don’t do it. It may be laziness but is likely ignorance of biking as a functional means of transportation. They don’t know anyone who does it and therefore they don’t do it. It’s classic group think. It’s also unimaginative.

Others simple say, “I can’t do it.” Untrue. I have the patience of a male dog with a full bladder standing next to a fire hydrant. Yet, in one trip in the family truckster this past Sunday, my son, 4, daughter, 2, and I ran the following errands:

1) grocery store (soy milk)
2) convenience mart (calling card)
3) Vietnamese grocery store (basil, bean sprouts, green onions, noodles for Pho Tai)
4) Home depot (tools)
5) Radio Shack (didn’t have C cell batteries to repair drill battery); and,
6) Payless (new shoes for the daughter).

While not necessarily easy, I got some exercise, my son got some exercise and we spent quality time together in an environmentally-friendly way.

Try functional cycling as a family – you’ll love it.

The family truckster:

The cart and trailer bike were $200. One I bought from a friend and the other from a bike store — both used. These attach to most any bike.