Duocycles for All!

February 21, 2005 11:07 AM

The Annual Chicago Auto Show Protest was, as usual a friendly affair. Some might even consider it holy. Photos abound. Long live the duocycle!
posted by Captaintripps (23 comments total)

I was there for about eight hours on Saturday, and didn't see them.... a shame.

If you'd like to look at my photos of the Auto Show you can.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 11:23 AM on February 21, 2005

I love the tall bikes, especially this one.

Living in NYC I just sold my car so I can finally get a bike and move around town at a reasonable speed. It's just a nice bonus knowing I'm not contributing to air polution and a beer gut.
posted by splatta at 11:25 AM on February 21, 2005

Was this really a protest? Seems more like a bike awareness rally.
posted by Bag Man at 11:26 AM on February 21, 2005

Cars just don't do it for me anymore, motorcycles and scooters still do tho ;)
posted by splatta at 11:27 AM on February 21, 2005

hey splatta, used to live in nyc, myself...get rollerblades instead...once you get the hang of them, they're MUCH safer than a bike and much less likely to get stolen...and you can get away with leaving them on almost anwhere just by pretending to walk...chicago, la, anywhere else, yeah, get a bike...nyc...too cramped, too easy to eat a car door...

wow, these guys are great...love what they're doing...

proudly car-free since the war started....and i live in L.A....yeah it sucks, but i feel cleaner...don't think i'll ever get another...
posted by sexyrobot at 12:04 PM on February 21, 2005

Two bicycle FFPs, wow. Is this a great country or what? This rally is held every year and it is nice to see that the 'protestors' have a sense of humor about it. The more strident bike advocates probably turn off more people than they ever convert.
posted by fixedgear at 12:05 PM on February 21, 2005

I hate riding a bike. It hurts my bum.

Use to catch the bus, but since I started driving to work I've stopped getting sick. Use to be that I caught around 4 or 5 colds per winter. Since I stopped riding the bus I have been cold free for almost 3 winters.

Also, driving to work takes about 10 minutes both ways. Catching the bus takes 45 minutes both ways. On top of this the bus truly fits the description of "looser cruiser", and "welfare wagon". It's smelly, and the frequent brushups with other unpleasant riders leave me feeling drained.

I don't think I drive anywhere near as much as the average driver, and I carpool to work. I can't see giving up driving. It's just way to efficient. Can't wait till there are more hybrids on the market.
posted by Rusty Iron at 12:18 PM on February 21, 2005

I'd be mad, too, if I had a car on my head....
posted by tpl1212 at 12:21 PM on February 21, 2005

Looks like a lot of companies were displaying hybrid vehicles at the 2005 Chicago Autoshow...

And, randomly, the "Kids' Concept Cars" page is great...
posted by tpl1212 at 12:28 PM on February 21, 2005

Ha. That bike is fantastic, splatta. No offense, Steve, but the bike pics are more interesting. And while I'm glad hybrids are finally getting lots of attention, they sure don't give you much of a cardio workout.

Just a thought.

*hops on bike, rides mostly uphill to work*
posted by mediareport at 12:50 PM on February 21, 2005

These folks obviously haven't seen this.

Oh, and $100/mo. for insurance? Where do I sign up? I'd love to cut my insurance by 80%.
posted by Eideteker at 1:07 PM on February 21, 2005

I was at the Auto Show on Saturday too. They must have left by the time I got there though.

Loved the Mini Cooper convertible and the Saturn Sky. I really want the Honda Civic Hybrid when I get my next car.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:32 PM on February 21, 2005

Eideteker: insurance rates vary widely by city and state. You can cut your rate by moving to Maine.
posted by casu marzu at 1:45 PM on February 21, 2005

I don't get it. Why are they protesting a car show?

I mean, I don't get car shows either, but... yeah.
posted by Target Practice at 2:08 PM on February 21, 2005

I hate riding a bike. It hurts my bum.

For whatever medical reason, this goes away. I started biking a year ago at almost 300 lb, about twice a week, and stopped getting a sore butt about a month into it.
posted by skyline at 2:40 PM on February 21, 2005

Target Practice: They're not really protesting the car show. As someone pointed out earlier in the thread, it's really more of an alternative transportation rally and I guess whoever organizes it thinks doing it at the auto show is a good thing. It looks like quite a bit of fun.

However, as a cyclist, I tend to stay away from the hardcore loonies.
posted by Captaintripps at 3:38 PM on February 21, 2005

Hardcore loonies like this? Lots of fun.
posted by CaptMcalister at 6:33 PM on February 21, 2005

sexyrobot: I used to rollerblade when I was a kid, and for some reason have come to see it as sorta silly. I have no idea why, but I can't see myself wearing them nowadays.

CaptMcalister: That's crazy.
posted by splatta at 7:20 PM on February 21, 2005

What's the purpose of bicycles like this and this? Just for fun or is there some other rationale?
posted by EatenByAGrue at 8:40 PM on February 21, 2005

I ride my bike to work, easier than parking and faster than walking. But I still go to the auto show whenever I can. I love cars. Oh, to race.
posted by tomplus2 at 9:50 PM on February 21, 2005

Steve_at_Linnwood, good pics, thanks for the link.
posted by tomplus2 at 9:55 PM on February 21, 2005

EatenByAGrue, the real question is what's the rationale behind this, this, and this.
posted by CaptMcalister at 10:51 PM on February 21, 2005

Tall bikes? Just for fun, shake people up.

Rollerblades as transportation? I can haul a keg of beer in a Bob trailer towed behind my bike, I don't think a rollerblader can really do that. If your commute is a mile or so, blades might work but do you really want to skate ten miles?
posted by fixedgear at 2:55 AM on February 22, 2005