Wheelin' and Dealin'

My level of mobility has just been increased about 500%. I am the proud owner of an $89 full-suspension mountain bike from Target. I wanted to buy it right off the showroom floor in the sports department, and the manager said "We're not s'posed to sell 'em right off the floor, you have to put in an order. But if it makes you happy to have a new bike today, then its O.K." Sold, and I'm outta here. This is the crappiest bike I've ever owned, but it will turn sweltering 20 and 30 minute walks in 90 degree temps into breezy 5 to 7 minute bike rides to the store and the Metro station.

Living in the suburbs and not having any independent means of transportation sucks. The bus only comes once an hour, and since you are screwed if you miss it, you spend a lot of extra time getting to the bus stop early and waiting around. In a normal week, having to walk everywhere and be tied to a bus schedule adds tens of hours of extra time and aggravation, and seriously reduces your overall quality of life. Every American adult should spend some significant time without a car and experience what life is like for those who can't afford a car (or to put gas in it). Then you'd see how much people would want to support better public transportation. People would also be more sensitive and alert to us wackos who insist on pedaling ourselves around town. Share the road, buddy.