| Comment | it's probably true - especially for a lot of hobby cyclists - and I absolutely believe that a lot cyclists are well off... I don't know how much our perceptions can be accurate? sure, really nice bikes can cost £1000+, but most of the time a few hundred pounds will be enough for a nice brand new bike, and I got a decent bike for £90 second hand. yes, they do need some upkeep and accessories but I doubt I have spent more than £100 on that in the past.. 3 years now?
my point is that even a slightly more expensive bike is significantly cheaper long term than a car or public transport, and with heavy use / living in a busy city it would definitely "pay itself back".
plus there's human perception/bias. we are a lot more likely to notice a very nice bike or car or anything. if I see a Lamborghini, a Porsche, a fancy Audi etc in the same neighbourhood, I'm like wow, must be a rich nehbourhood, regardless of how many shitty little cars I see around them.
plus middle class people taking up on cycling doesn't negate how useful bikes are for poor people.
(absolutely not arguing your point about the pandemic, it is definitely an issue and we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg yet, if you ask me) |
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