What's new in the world of Bikes

Interbike, the largest bicycle trade show in the world, was held a couple weeks ago in Las Vegas. I went for the third time, and as always, came away brimming with ideas and contacts and very sore feet. It was great.

People have asked me if the cycling industry is waking up to the fact that big people want to bike, too. To look at the glass as part full, I’d say that there are more people aware than there were three years ago, but there is still a lot of room for growth.

I did run into one company that makes an interesting tricycle that holds 400 pounds, but it retails for $3500.00. Knowing what I know about making strong, custom-built bicycles, I must say that this is not an unreasonable amount, but I also know that spending that much for a tricycle is beyond the means or desire of most people. Other than that I didn’t see much that would work for you, my customers.

On the plus side, I did meet lots of people who love what we’re doing with Super Sized Cycles, and were eager to contribute in ways that they could. For example…

There’s a new website that’s being created, called www.RentABikeNow.com. Its purpose is to create a network of bike rental sites all over the North America, where travelers can easily “order up” the kind of bike they want, so they can bike while away. I spoke to Scott Carothers, their VP, and encouraged him to encourage the shops that sign up to purchase a couple of our Zize Bikes. How many of us, with size concerns, would even think of renting a bike? Let’s let RentABikeNow.com know we want options—send them an email requesting bikes for big people!

I also spoke quite a bit with Kit Vogel from www.Bikefit.com. Kit has an MS in Biomechanics/Human Movement & Performance and has completed her clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy—she really knows her stuff! We discussed special needs for big people and biking, and I’m happy to report that the key points Kit brought up are addressed in our Zize Bikes! If you live near Woodinville, WA, take advantage of the great resource you have in Bikefit!

A lot more happened, and I’ll share the interesting stuff in an ongoing manner in my blog and newsletters. Until then, keep cycling!

Enlightened article

Yesterday I was reading the NY Times on line (my favorite way to get the news) and saw this excellent article about bodies. The author actually questions whether the craze to be a skinny person is necessary and healthful. Not only does she question it, but apparently many people are doing the same. I put it on my site, because I think it's so promising. You can read it here.

What's great is that it is possible that the mainstream is beginning to understand what a lot of us know--you don't have to be thin to be healthy. Many heavy people are very healthy, and if the world around us was built to support our weight, we'd be even healthier.

Imagine a world where you don't have to go to a specialty store to find a bike or a pair of pants that fit. Imagine going into any establishment knowing that they have chairs that will be at least size-appropriate, if not comfortable. Imagine traveling knowing that you don't have to worry about getting bruises from squeezing into a too-small seat or asking the tiny steward for a seat belt extender. Imagine a world where what counts is that we're people, not that we're fat people.

In this world I'd bet a lot of the diseases that are associated with being fat would miraculously no longer be associated with it. In this world the social stigma and stresses of being the wrong size wouldn't exist. We'd all be satisfied with ourselves, so our bodies wouldn't have to cry out for attention in the form of diseases.

I'm not suggesting that those of us who are unhealthy and feel unhappy stay where we are. What I am suggesting is living the Zize life. Zize is size with Attitude, and as more of us do our part to keep the attitude positive, healthy, and active, more people will see that fat IS beautiful. Or at least healthy.