The sidewalks are no longer safe…
In Sweden, almost everyone owns a bike…and they use them! It was so fun when I first came here in the spring and saw so many people riding their bikes around town. Here in Jönköping there are probably more bicycle racks than parking spots! Age really is not a factor either, I have seen some pretty shocking things here! 
Anyway, I really wanted to be a part of this movement…and last week I was loaned an old bycle from my father in law. I mean really old…1 gear and constructed entirely of cast iron(OK I am not entirely sure about this, but it is HEAVY!) It is the Sherman Tank of bicyles. It needed a little work, 2 tires, 2 innertubes and some lights. Mechanical competence skipped my generation, so changing those tires turned into a 4 hour project (and truthfully it is still incomplete.) When I get this baby complete I will post some pics!
maxima said,
October 27, 2006 at 9:40 am
Sooooooo that is where all the stolen Dutch bikes go…..
no wait…Dutch bikes have this 4 gallon milk-carrier size basket attached.
oops…yup, those must be Swedish bikes.
Good luck with that project. You are learning things you never thought you needed to know. I hear that is good for keeping your mind young, learning something new. I will let you know how that turns out for me when I get old