Despite the fact that Matt is generally considered the hipster scumbag among the DadWagoneers, I think I am the only confirmed biking-douchebag among us. I commute to work on my bike (who’s picturing me in skinny jeans right now?), and I’ve pedaled JP around on the back of my bike since he was two. Unfortunately, he’s starting to push the weight limit on the bike seat I have, and I’ve become increasingly bummed out at the thought of not being able to bike with him anymore.
Now, of course, there are solutions, but as is often the case, at times the cure is worse than the disease. Case in point: this video from the New York Times about “cargo bikes” and the precariously self-satisfied types who take their kids around town on them.
It’s never fun to confront your own cliche made real, but this was tough for me to watch. Start with the little girl preaching about the environment, cut to the the fashionable bikes that come in the best of this season’s colors, end with me committing to driving everywhere from now on.
That said, I might just buy one–there’s room for two kids.
Have you looked at one of those bike along attachments? They have ones that just add a third wheel and pedals, as well as one that can tow an entire bike.
Did you get a load of the prices on those things? Twenty-nine fifty for the quad? I believe that’s $2950.00. You could get a Cervelo carbon fiber frame for that, and still have some left over for cab fare.
beta dad–whoa! I didn’t notice that. –theodore
I’ve got to say that any activity will have its douches, so biking is ok in my book. It’s great to be self-satisfied about your transportation choices, but really that shouldn’t be used as a selling point. Nor should you indoctrinate your children before they can properly pronounce “pollution.”
At $2950, it could make economic sense, as a primary vehicle that pays for itself by replacing subway and taxis for three. Plus it’s so ugly it most likely won’t get stolen. But for tooling around Prospect Park on a weekend, it’s a complete waste.
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And I worried that our Chariot Cougar was too pretentious.
If you really want a trike, these ( http://www.huskybicycles.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=hb&Product_Code=160-120&Category_Code=ti&Product_Count=4 )are the foundation for bike taxis in Mexico. Tool around the park with the kids on the weekend, and sell tamales during the week.