'DEFEND YOUR RIDE' from CBS Chicago

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Permalink Reply by Matt Talbert on March 16, 2012 at 10:26am

Oh yes! I sure sent it on over to them. Thanks for the brilliant idea!

April said:

Matthew I love It!  Especially:
 

Q: If your car bike had a theme song, what would it be?

A: You know the music from Empire Strikes Back when the Millennium Falcon was being chased by Star Destroyers through an asteroid field. Yeah, it would be that song, or score I guess.

I can so see that!!!  Did you send your interview into CBS?

Matthew Talbert said:

Hey April, sorry for hocking your idea, but it was too awesome:

Q: What’s your Chevy Cobalt Specialized Sirrus’s main use?

 

A: Staying in shape, recreation, transportation throughout the city and commuting to work. Biking is my mental need as well. I feel the need for a fix.

Q: Sounds like you have some pretty strong views on driving biking in the city versus driving in the suburbs?

A: The city has bike lanes on many streets. Clearly urban driving is more awesome than driving amongst reckless suburbanites always putting pedal to the metal. Don’t forget rural biking which I have experienced in Iowa. It is a fun an different experience.

Q: Where did you get your car bike? Did you buy it new?

A:  It was a wedding present to myself from Johnny Sprockets.

Q: Now for a few fun questions. If your car bike had a human emotion, what would it be?

A: Tranquility. Whether it’s for exercise, commuting or just a simple joy ride. My mind is clear and at ease. Sometimes it can be rejuvenating when negative emotions strike, or even when feeling a physical lack of energy.

Q: Do you ever pump it up and rock out when you’re driving riding?

A: Only on trials with no motor traffic. Even so, my ear buds do not go all the way in my ears so that I may listen to music and still hear my surroundings.

Q: If your car bike had a theme song, what would it be?

A: You know the music from Empire Strikes Back when the Millennium Falcon was being chased by Star Destroyers through an asteroid field. Yeah, it would be that song, or score I guess.

Q: Do you have any rules in on your car bike at the moment?

A: Don’t open your door on me please! I can’t know or see if you are opening your car door. Only YOU can see me. Also, please have presence of mind when walking on the lake front trail. Do not walk down the middle, do not stand in the middle, and please don’t walk 5-wide.

Q: Finally, what do you think your next car bike will realistically be?

A: I plan to keep this bike forever. It’s a hybrid that is perfect for my needs. It has some speed but can take some rough patches. It’ll also be good to put a seat on when I have kids one day, or pull them in one of those kiddie pull thingys. I call my current bike The Enterpise (yes I know, nerd alert). Once I move to a place with more storage space, I plan to purchase a second bike, which will be much more of a road racer, and shall be dubbed the Millenium Falcon for pure speed.

April said:

Let's flood their inbox!!!!

Here's my offering:

Q: What’s your Chevy Cobalt bike’s main use?

A: My Trek Belleville is used for transportation: From work to home, to my meetings with the Chicago Clean Power Coalition, to tutor at 826Chi, to go to yoga, get groceries, visit friends and so on.  Getting around by bike is fast fun and free!

Q: Sounds like you have some pretty strong views on driving biking in the city versus driving in the suburbs?

A: For the most part, biking in the suburbs is a nightmare. The roads are not designed for users beyond cars--including pedestrians! Drivers treat the roads like expressways and pass by bicyclists without allotting the legally required three-foot safety distance. Biking in the city is much better, although it still has a long way to go.  Bike lanes, shared bike lanes and traffic calming designs like speed bumps, crosswalks and extended curbs help make the road safer for all users.

Q: Where did you get your car bike? Did you buy it new?

A:  I bought my bike used off of Craigslist. It was only about a year-old and was practically new.  I’ve put over a thousand mile on it since then and have only needed to upgrade the tires.

Q: Now for a few fun questions. If your car bike had a human emotion, what would it be?

A: Elation.  It is pure happiness to ride a bike.

Q: Do you ever pump it up and rock out when you’re driving riding?

A: Not on headphones, because I need to be aware of what’s going on around me, but I occasionally strap some on some portable speakers and groove to classic rock or rock en espanol

Q: If your car bike had a theme song, what would it be?

A: My bike does have a theme song, “Michelle, ma belle”  from the Beetles.

Q: Do you have any rules in on your car bike at the moment?

A: Always yield to pedestrians!  There is a hierarchy of road users based on who can cause the most damage.  Cars should yield to bikes and bikes should always yield to pedestrians.

Q: Finally, what do you think your next car bike will realistically be?

A: I don’t plan on getting a new bike for a very long time.  There is no reason to because my bike is built well and I will take very good care of it.  In general I think it’s better for the planet and our wallets if we don’t buy things unless we actually need them.  At some point when I have kids I might buy a bakfiet (box bike) so I can tote them and groceries around at the same time.

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