04 November 2008

When's the last time you saw somebody on a bicycle or when is the last time you saw a bicycle parked on the Five Star Bicycle Parking Rack outside the City Hall. No me neither. In my day you went everywhere by bike and no self respecting bike had less than two people on it at any given time.

What happens to all the two wheeled presents bought last Christmas. I think the first Puncture spells the death knell for them. It's much easier to leave it in the corner of the garage than get round to repairing it and anyway does anyone know how to repair a hole in a tube any more. Like Darning Socks it's a dying craft! Oh for the good old days of borrowing the best forks from the cutlery drawer and the dish of water.

I remember one of my first bikes. A "Friend" sold it to me - A frame and three wheels and the worst of it was not one of them fitted the bike. My mum bought a bike with massive 28" wheels over 60 years ago. She was often asked " what the weather was like up there" It had a lifetime guarantee so I think it needs to go back as it's starting to rust.

We all moan about the traffic in our city (Even me surprise surprise) Just get on your bike. It's much much quicker to get from Canal Street to Kilmorey Street or the Dublin Road to the Belfast Road with pedal power. I know it's difficult to carry a television or Umbrella but its ideal to go down the street to buy a Lotto Ticket or go in to the Bookies.

We need more Bikes on our streets not in our skips.