where it starts

basically it began as i was watching this

and i started thinking about what it was that holds workbikes back, from actually being used. so many other people have done research into their efficiency etc, and that was what i previously was planning to do, but the fact that they were a viable alternative did not explain why they were not more common. i started thinking about the killer app of workbikes and i realised that the only thing holding them back was the public perception of them. there are many areas of cycling that mange to have a good image, the tour de france, australian track cycling, but these are to do with sport. to ride a bike for transport is viewed as inferior to 'real' transport like cars. it is partly to do with our cultural perceptions of people who sweat for a living as being of a lower social class, eg labourers, builders and factory workers. this creates a social ladder where walking and cycling are lowest, followed by public transport, with cars near the middle, and chaffeurs and private jets and helicopters near the top.

by a study of 'cool' and 'uncool' things i hope to come to an understanding of the problems and issues that can be used to help solve this problem

the dudes from franz ferdinand buy bicycles in towns thay stay in for a few days, so they can ride around and see the place properly

how come more successfull people can't do this?