"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race," wrote H.G. Wells.
The perfection of the humble bicycle may, in fact, turn out to be the 19th century's greatest gift to the modern era.
Anytime you ride a bicycle, you're building up some serious green karma, and we salute you. But there's green and
then there's really green. Pick the answers that most closely fit your cycling style
and find out just how green your bicycle riding really is.
(Hate quizzes? Skip straight to the answers.)
When my bicycle gets a flat tire...
I throw my bike in the back of the car and head for the bike shop.
I install a new inner tube, inflate it with a CO2 cartridge, and toss out the old tube.
I patch the bad inner tube, either on the spot or when I get home, and inflate it with a hand pump.
I call a taxi or ask a friend to come get me.
Most of my bicycle rides...
Start and finish from my home.
Are commuting to work or to run errands.
Start within driving distance of my home.
Are in France or Italy.
When it starts to get dark I...
Switch on my battery-powered LED light
Switch on my rechargeable light.
Switch on my generator light.
Don't ride my bike.
My bicycle frame is made out of...
Aluminum or titanium.
Steel.
A material that was developed for the space program.
Bamboo.
My favorite cycling outfits are...
Made from aerodynamic miracle fibers.
An eclectic mix of synthetic and natural materials.
Whatever I happened to be wearing that day.
Mostly wool and organic cotton or hemp.
You'll usually find me riding...
Around the neighborhood or to and from work.
On a deserted country road.
Plowing through a pristine mountain meadow after a spring shower.
At a spinning class.
When my bicycle chain gets dirty...
I toss my bike in the back of the car and head for the bike shop.
I clean my chain with kerosene or another petroleum-based solvent.
I clean my chain with a citrus solvent.
Aren't bike chains supposed to be dirty?
My bicycle weighs...
Less than the 20 lbs.
More than 20 lbs, but not much more.
Who knows?
A lot more since I added a rack and fenders.
I like to fill my water bottles with...
Tap water.
Bottled water.
A sports drink.
Organic fruit juice.
If I get hungry while I'm riding...
I'm so glad I baked last night or grabbed a couple of banana.
I unwrap an energy bar or gel.
I look for the nearest convenience store.
I search for wild figs growing by the side of the road.