The most bizarre mom moment of the week? Seeing a Portland, Seattle woman drive her six kids around town on a super-sized bicycle.
That's right. A bicycle built for seven. She traded in her gas guzzling Suburban for this unusual mode of transportation. While I admire this mom's stamina -- and God knows she's doing more for the environment than I am -- there is one huge, huge problem with her pedal, powered contraption.
I have wonder, is this really safe on the open road? What if it turned over or, God forbid, they were hit by a car? Emily Finch Wheels her children (2 to 9) around town in this bike outfitted with a wheelbarrow and various other types of seats. It's quite impressive the way she zips down the city streets fully loaded (kids, backpacks, groceries, etc). It just seems dangerous.
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Though, that doesn't seem like a worry to Finch, who sold her vehicle when the family moved to Portland. "I started looking at my life... I was living in a giant house and had a nine-person Suburban. I remember thinking, there's no reason I can't walk or bike around town," Emily told BikePortland.org. "I was at a time in my life when something had to change. When I saw that bike, I knew it. I said, 'This is it. This is going to change my life.'"
A noble decision, to be sure. But still a crazy one. I can't imagine what a pain that thing is in the rain. I would take that monstrous Suburban in a heartbeat. To each her own, I suppose.
Would you ride your kids around on a super-sized bike like this?
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Comments 65
Seattle is a city, Portland is a city. Was she in Seattle WA, or Portland WA, or Portland OR? Why do you fail so hard?
It's called a "bakfiets" in Dutch...they are all over the roads of the Netherlands - loaded with kids and very safe! I hope this mode of transportation catches on in the US. The Dutch have biking down to an art - from the youngest kids to the oldest folks. Granted, we have a much better infrastructure for biking than the US, but I hope it gets better in the states for bike riders.
She must have buns of steel :)
I think this is great! She's saving money and her body at the same time.
These "super bike" contraptions are very popular in Denmark, Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries, where cars are ridiculously expensive. People bike everywhere, rain, snow, or shine, and seem none the worse for the wear.
We need more of this.
While I do appreciate what this lady is doing I wonder about what will happen when it rains or there is other adverse weather conditions. That being said, this writer needs to go back to school. Very poorly written.
I don't think you should be calling her crazy, that's just rude. When was the last time you used a bike for more than a fun ride around the neighborhood? Try using a bike to go shopping or run a few errands once in a while. There is nothing crazy or dangerous about a bike, and it is legal to modify them and ride on city streets.
That's nice and all, but how practical is that thing when it's time to go grocery shopping?! A little bag hooked up doesn't quite seem to be a very efficient method for shopping. I could never, ever, ever do this. I need my truck. With a dog, husband and 3 boys, this couldn't work for us, not even a little. Plus my hubby's a gear head, lol...loves working with motors and rebuilding autos.
What's so crazy about her being consciencious of our environment and expecting vehicle drivers to know and obey traffic laws that protect bicyclist's rights to be on the roads? Wouldn't it be wonderful if, for just a moment at least, everyone would remember how people got around before mortorized vehicles were created? Bravo mom! Bravo!. I do think she could cut the 9 year old loose on her own though. I have trouble keeping up with my 10 year old on our bikes. I'm sure the 9 year old could safely keep pace and alleviate some of the concern the author of this article has with the safety issue here.
I think what she is doing is awesome! When I lived in town, we used to walk or ride our bikes all over, but now we live 10 miles outside of town. A car is a must for us!