I've read a couple of articles lately that bugged me.  One was about how divvy bikes have been proven to be safer than regular bikes and the other made the point that bike riding is the best sport due to the wonders of positive psychology.  Both used 'science' to support pro bike stances.  In the case of divvy article, there's no comparable data on hours ridden for personal bikes, so no conclusions can be drawn. In the case of the positive psychology article, the guy is basically listing his reasons for liking bike riding. 

Hey, I like bike riding too.  I even have a Divvy membership that I use all the time. But these articles aren't any more scientific than the Creation Museum.   It's a point of view wrapped in dubious 'science' to promote a predetermined conclusion.  At minimum, these articles should follow the tenets of advocacy journalism(per wikipedia).  

That's what I think.  Now I'll have a beer and relax.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_journalism

  • Acknowledge your perspective up front.
  • Be truthful, accurate, and credible. Don't spread propaganda, don't take quotes or facts out of context, "don't fabricate or falsify", and "don't judge or suppress vital facts or present half-truths"
  • Don't give your opponents equal time, but don't ignore them, either.
  • Explore arguments that challenge your perspective, and report embarrassing facts that support the opposition. Ask critical questions of people who agree with you.
  • Avoid slogans, ranting, and polemics. Instead, "articulate complex issues clearly and carefully."
  • Be fair and thorough.
  • Make use of neutral sources to establish facts.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150210/loop/32-million-divvy-rides...

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/02/why-cycling-makes-us-happy-the-po...

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http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/02/why-cycling-makes-us-happy-the-po...

I felt that this article was an opinionated piece with little scientific data to back it up. Yes, Asper K., the guy is basically listing his reasons for liking bike riding. Many, I felt that I could agree and go along with. I do not have a journalism degree but I am realizing how complicated putting together a scientific piece would be. I just took the article for what it was, an opinion.

Thank you for reading my post. Please feel free to reply to any of my discussion topics and raise questions there. I would be happy to try to answer them.

That's what I think. Now I'm gonna have a pizza and relax. All the best.

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