Strickland spoke a lot about the transition from childhood to adulthood, and how the bike is symbolic of this shift, yet stressed the importance of returning to all the bike has to offer. This perspective coincides well with my own experiences, especially those contrasting my life when my bike was my primary form of transportation, compared to my car. The bike reflects the exploratory urges of a child, and the fascination brought upon with the smallest of environments. A child doesn’t need to travel far distances to find enjoyment and stimulation. The bike was for me, and Strickland, a way to meet up with friends in the neighborhood, feel independent, and experience the world around me in an interesting and intimate way. The introspective bubble of efficiency that is the car, closed off to the outside world, represents the more reserved, socially-informed nature of adulthood, one where we begin to construct our own environments around us rather than freely expose ourselves to the beckoning worlds of nearby. We can control everything inside the car, from the temperature to the music, so as little as possible is left up to chance, and the possibilities of the world around us. These possibilities are the same adventures that we chase as children, pedaling faster and faster towards the unexpected. The car is a still a way for me to have fun and meet up with friends, but the fundamental nature of its use stands out starkly against the naive freedom and adventure of a child.
Strickland Repsonse
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