Slog - Comments on Don't Make Me Ride a Bike to Work! Anything But That! http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin In this State Farm commercial (via Grist), a well-heeled professional is forced by high gas prices to--the humiliation!--ride his bike to work. In BIKE SHORTS. Oh, the humanity! Fortunately, State Farm's low, low prices can "get you back behind the wheel." Thank GOD State Farm is there.... Copyright 2008 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:12:09 -0800 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:53:28 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Lula Riding to work on a bike is so hippie.

]]> Lula http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990411 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990411 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:15:47 -0800 Comment by laterite No, riding to work on a RECUMBENT bike is hippie.

]]> laterite http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990416 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990416 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:19:27 -0800 Comment by Dumptruck Thank god he wasn't riding one of those super fast, break-less hipster fixed-gear bikes! He coulda got hisself killed!

]]> Dumptruck http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990422 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990422 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:21:58 -0800 Comment by bored4life You must be really bored if you're getting your panties in a bunch over a snake farm ad. I never want to see ECB in bike shorts or on a bike for that matter.

]]> bored4life http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990431 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990431 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:25:27 -0800 Comment by inkweary High gas prices are really bringing out the heavy hitting marketing. There are a lot of people who really do not want people to change their habits. There is to much money at stake. A co-worker even makes a derisory remark about his bike shorts, when did bike riding become declasse'?

]]> inkweary http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990433 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990433 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:26:19 -0800 Comment by sir jorge kill all hippies!

]]> sir jorge http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990434 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990434 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:26:37 -0800 Comment by j4zz3rgrl I say thumbs up to biking to work (help the environment, help yourself stay healthy, help ease traffic congestion, blah blah blah)...

But a definite thumbs DOWN to biking shorts unless they are on very hot people with that great line on the side of their legs where the quad muscle meets the leg.

]]> j4zz3rgrl http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990442 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990442 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:32:30 -0800 Comment by ecce homo Wow,

just when I think you couldn't make cylclists seem more obnoxious, smug, childish and stupid,


you do...

]]> ecce homo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990446 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990446 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:35:29 -0800 Comment by Jason Josephes God, you really do take all of this too personally.

]]> Jason Josephes http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990447 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990447 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:36:12 -0800 Comment by Mary T I saw this last night and had the same reaction you did ECB.

]]> Mary T http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990448 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990448 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:36:24 -0800 Comment by Jerod Don't they sell insurance for bike riders too?

]]> Jerod http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990451 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990451 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:37:41 -0800 Comment by tsm Riding a bike isn't humiliating. Wearing bicycle shorts is. It's the first step to becoming one of those weirdos in full-body spandex and a helmet with a rear view mirror attached.

]]> tsm http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990461 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990461 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:43:41 -0800 Comment by LMSW I'll add, riding a bike isn't humiliating. Getting clipped by a car and/or forced off the road is humiliating. Ah, for the car riots of Kreutzberg.

]]> LMSW http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990473 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990473 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:52:02 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi @8,

So, in other words, you are a bicyclist.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990477 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990477 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:55:02 -0800 Comment by Abby I thought the same thing, ECB.

I also thought that he did look pretty good in those bike shorts, and if I was the woman in the ad, I wouldn't be sneering...

]]> Abby http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990478 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990478 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:55:17 -0800 Comment by inkweary I do know the proper usages of "too" and "to", I just can't type.

]]> inkweary http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990488 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990488 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:59:48 -0800 Comment by apres_moi @12, he needs a different pair of bike shorts, those colors don't go well on him. but he has a very nice ass and set of thighs to make most bikers jealous.

]]> apres_moi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990491 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990491 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:01:30 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Agree wholeheartedly with #12. What prompts a person to start wearing the full Spiderman suit just to ride their bike?

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990496 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990496 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:03:55 -0800 Comment by Steve @18 Chafing in certain areas and wearing a cotton shirt that stays clammy and wet all day after the first 10 minutes of the ride.

@11 No insurance company in the US sells a comprehensive bike policy. You can get theft coverage under a homeowner/renter's policy and uninsured motorist protection via a comprehensive auto policy only.

]]> Steve http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990505 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990505 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:16:50 -0800 Comment by mackro mackro I sold my car last year, and hence cancelled the auto portion of the insurance with State Farm.

So I called them to cancel the insurance, and they did, but first asked when I was going to reinstate it, just assuming I was going to buy a new car. I told them I wasn't planning to replace the car. Then I got this:

"Then HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO ACTUALLY GET AROUND TOWN?"

It's like I was transported back to Los Angeles or something.

]]> mackro mackro http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990530 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990530 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:40:15 -0800 Comment by mackro mackro But you know, like most advertising, if it offends political correct hippies like me, then the publicity is working. And, well, it is working. This is the best publicity State Farm could ask for, in a non-conventional forum.

]]> mackro mackro http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990532 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990532 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:42:17 -0800 Comment by stinkbug There's also a local vern fonk ad that basically makes fun of a guy for having to take the bus.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990544 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990544 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:47:24 -0800 Comment by oneway Hey ECB

I still disagree with your point of view in most posts, but I'm finding your new tactics of mocking (State Farm, plastic grocery bags) to be quite readable and entertaining... Keep it up!

Hearts,
oneway

]]> oneway http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990604 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990604 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:52:37 -0800 Comment by I Come From A Long, Proud Line Of Pedestrians. I officially recant every nasty thing I've ever said about Seattle bicyclists. Critical Mass even.

I just tried to ride my bike about 7 blocks to the Pavillions on Melrose and Vine.

Fuckin' hell. I get it. I don't know how you guys don't wind up in triage every single day you ride.

Anyway, back to walking until it's safe for bikes. Wow.

]]> I Come From A Long, Proud Line Of Pedestrians. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990606 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990606 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:59:18 -0800 Comment by mackro mackro Vern Fonk Insurance would have to do something really really awful for me to get all worked up in a bad way.

SHAPOOPI!

]]> mackro mackro http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990669 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990669 Enviro Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:39:45 -0800 Comment by mcfnord advertising is supposed to make you feel stupid and inadequate, like the whole world is laughing at you. television programming then intends to make you feel hip and astute for doing nothing hour after hour after hour. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

]]> mcfnord http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990791 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/dont_make_me_ride_a_bike_to_work_anythin#c990791 Enviro Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:53:28 -0800