Paroxyms of fear: No Impact Man gets a bike

You've probably heard about Colin Beavan aka "No Impact Man", the New Yorker on a one year sojourn to reduce his environmental footprint by going organic and generally turning into a tree-hugging lunatic to save the planet from environmental catastrophe while dragging his daughter and Prada-wearing wife along for the ride.

Colin bought second-hand bikes for him and his wife and a bike seat for his daughter recently.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, with spring coming, we were jaunting around the Sunday flea markets (because of the don’t-buy-anything-new rule) and we found a 5-speed, circa ‘76, screaming red Schwinn that Michelle adored. Sold. Then, on Craig’s list, I found a great second-hand kid’s bike seat, and Sunday morning I rode my bike over to Roosevelt Island and picked it up. Isabella is excited beyond belief: “Bella ride in dat!”

Some of the comments in response are a little disheartening. While several people express the joy of bike riding, a few others imply that death and dismemberment are in store for any who dare to bike with traffic. If you're so moved, please leave a comment on his article and assure Colin, his family and his fans that bicycling isn't that much more dangerous than driving.