simply a bike...
We are drowning in our opulence. Here in the USA we are working ourselves into the ground to make the monthly bills. Car payment, rent, mortgage, insurance, you name it. We chase our collective tails driven by the desire created by marketing psychologists, while in other parts of the world a utility bicycle can help an entire culture.
Maybe we should look at this dynamic. While one is impoverished economically, the other running ragged to meet the bills. Both suffer a lack of quality of life. The bike is obviously a viable means.
Here in the US it would reduce our fuel consumption, and use of cars. They would last longer, and we’d be more appreciative of the mega convenience. We’d slow down.
Developing countries would improve their economy by being able to haul things around, like exports to market, or simply to transport the kids to school.
Somewhere in the middle is a balance.
peace...d