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
I think all the negativity on this page is disgusting. It's this thinking--"Oh, I NEED to use my car for x, y, z" that has helped breed a generation of lazy, overweight people. Don't any of you remember what it was like as a pre-teen and kid? I don't know about anyone else, but I adored my bike. I wore out two or three during my childhood, I used them that much. I didn't get my license until I was in college and I didn't have a car until after I graduated. And my parents refused to shuttle me around places, unless it was legitimately too far away. It was either two wheels or my own two feet. And biking was much faster. To this day, I still bike, even though I have a car. I bike around 4-5 miles a day, more when I have the time. I've lost weight since I started doing that, my clothes fit better, I have more energy, and I sleep better. In fact, being bike-friendly was one of the things I loved most about the town I relocated to for my job.
And to answer some questions that were brought up by other people:
1) It IS possible to bike in the winter. It's cold, but possible. Ride in bike paths or in the road, which are salted and de-iced. In many places, it's illegal for bikers to ride on the sidewalk, so the road is really the only option. I beg everyone to remember that when they're honking at cyclists who are hugging the shoulder.
2) Grocery shopping is not the hardest thing to do on a bike. All you need is a simple bike rack on the back of your bike and a basket or pannier bags. I wouldn't try to shop at Costco and bike back, but for a normal run to the grocery store, it's fine.
3) The 9-year-old is likely using the attached bike rather than her own so Mom can keep track of where she is and that everyone stays together. It can be hard with little kids in the front to make sure an older child isn't doing anything reckless (as pre-teens are wont to do...I know I did. I got some rather nasty scars on my elbows and knees as a result). It aso helps for long distances when the 9-year-old gets tired.
If you lived in a bike friendly city that could be kinda cool. I live in the Mountains and it takes me 20 minutes to drive to town, up and down hills that would give the tour-de-france bikers pause. We have bikes and use them recreationally, but I could never do that just to get around. On another note, I just love how she's riding the bike in a dress. Seriously? Can someone say showoff? lol.
This story is great! I would love to be able to do something like this, unfortunately I live in the Orlando, FL area and not only is it NOT bike friendly it has been found to be one of the MOST dangerous cities for pedestrians! I will stick with my van, but good for her! =-)
awesome it sure will save her on gas