Bikes are Freedom

[Freedom in a bottle.]

Car commercials would have you believe that the automobile is the gateway to "freedom," that SUVs allow you to scale mountain tops, that a Nissan Cube means you can zip through even the most congested cities, that nothing says "freedom" like buying a BMW and driving down endless deserted curvy rolling hill roads.

Well, the truth about cars is that you're often trapped in them, trapped in traffic jams or looking for parking for hours.

Well, I want to ask if bikes might just be more free. It certainly feels that way to me.

When you're on a bicycle...

... freedom is the sun on your skin and wind in your hair.
... freedom is stopping at the bakery, library, flowershop, diner, and deli on your way home.
... freedom is cutting through the parking lot, going around the traffic cone, and riding down the stairs.
... freedom is never dialing the phone number for Abra Auto Body, Tires Plus, NAPA Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Maaco, Midas Muffler, Jiffy Lube, or any of your fine local auto repair professionals.
... freedom is getting plenty of exercise without ever going to the gym.
... freedom is not needing a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
... freedom is rolling through stop signs when nobody's about.
... freedom is parking next to the door every time.
... freedom is not having to stop to smell the flowers.
... freedom is coasting down a hill.
... freedom is using your own tools to fix your own ride.
... freedom is people asking you for directions.
... freedom is not shoveling your driveway all winter long.
... freedom is not worrying that much about ordering one more drink.
... freedom is not knowing the price of gas.
... freedom is gliding after midnight through a silent sleeping city.

[The entrance to the basement of the One+on+One bike shop in Minneapolis.]