Bicycling

Amsterdam? Copenhagen? Nope: NYC.

By Aaron Naparstek

4:36 PM EDT on May 16, 2008

The first thing I thought of when I saw this photo was the famous H.G. Wells quote, “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” A city where distinguished gentlemen commute to work by bike is a city where I am happy to live. Of course, this city isn’t bad either. Go ahead and criticize this fellow’s mobile phone and lack of helmet in the comments section. But first ask yourself: Does this photo depict a stupid guy or stupid urban design?

Snapped by BicyclesOnly at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 58th Street in Manhattan.

Aaron Naparstek

Aaron Naparstek is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Streetsblog. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Naparstek's journalism, advocacy and community organizing work has been instrumental in growing the bicycle network, removing motor vehicles from parks, and developing new public plazas, car-free streets and life-saving traffic-calming measures across all five boroughs. He was also one of the original cast members of the "War on Cars" podcast. You can find more of his work on his website.

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